WHAT DOES A DISTRIBUTION CENTER MANAGER DO?

Published: Dec 06, 2024 - The Distribution Center Manager is responsible for overseeing all operations in the Distribution Center, including managing internal and contract employees, and implementing best practices to optimize efficiency and accuracy. This position ensures accurate order picking, timely shipping, and inventory integrity through coordination with internal teams and external business partners. This role drives productivity and profitability by monitoring costs, auditing team activities, and providing training and development opportunities for the workforce.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Distribution Center Manager

1. Distribution Center Manager Duties

  • Leadership: Provide leadership across all shifts to ensure the DC operates efficiently with the optimum level of personnel to meet customer demand.
  • Budget Management: Develop departmental budgets and be able to manage the costs within those agreed budgets.
  • Logistics Coordination: Work with other sites, suppliers, freight forwarders, and customers to address supply/logistics issues (including customer-supplied packaging).
  • Inventory Management: Ensure inventory accuracies within the DC operations and establish/maintain robust system practices of cycle counting.
  • Problem-Solving: Investigate inventory errors and implement corrective actions.
  • Safety Compliance: Ensure robust safety practices are maintained through the promotion of a safety culture, good housekeeping, and other initiatives.
  • Team Leadership: Lead and positively influence employees towards maximum goal and KPI achievement and employee's best performance.
  • Operational SOP Development: Establish and coordinate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all distribution and logistics operations.
  • Strategic Planning: Prepare business plans and establish KPIs for distribution center operations.
  • Workforce Planning: Approve staffing plans/schedules.
  • Managerial Oversight: Manage 10 to 20 subordinate managers collectively responsible for approximately 200 employees in the Distribution and Logistics Departments.
  • Customer Satisfaction: Oversee the development and implementation of plans and processes required to meet customer satisfaction goals.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with OSHA and other local, state, and federal regulations and requirements.
  • Facility Maintenance: Ensure the safe upkeep and maintenance of the facility.
  • Performance Management: Lead objective setting, KPI measurement, reporting, organizational development, and process improvement in all areas of responsibility in support of business objectives.

2. Distribution Center Manager Details

  • Process Improvement: Plan, develop, and improve procedures and processes to drive improvements to the operation’s quality and efficiency systems.
  • Lean Practices Implementation: Direct and lead the implementation of lean practices in the warehouses, including Lean Business Systems, Kata/Kaizen, and Training within Industries.
  • Customer-Centric Solutions: Develop corrective actions to meet customer needs and objectives of the corporation.
  • Organizational Development: Direct the development of the organization and plans consistent with and adequate for attaining warehouse personnel objectives.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that operations conform to local, state, and federal government regulations and manage an ongoing proactive Environmental, Health, and Safety program.
  • Communication Management: Maintain appropriate communication between corporate staff, the operating group, and divisions.
  • Cost Optimization: Implement cost-cutting rules in all aspects of storehouse transactions and related activities.
  • Document Control: Create and maintain controlled documents for all work processes for operation.
  • Training Development: Develop and sustain a training program for all documented processes.
  • Data Analysis and Reporting: Assist warehouse supervisors in the development, analysis, and preparation of reports.
  • Customer Issue Resolution: Act as a liaison between warehouse supervisors and customer service to resolve customer issues.
  • Lean Initiative Execution: Use existing lean ideologies to drive CMCO lean initiatives to each location regarding product management, order accuracy, productivity, and general improvements.
  • Workplace Safety: Maintain Occupational Safety and Health Administration norms for the safety of warehouse workers.

3. Distribution Center Manager Responsibilities

  • Budget Management: Participate in expense and capital expenditure budgets.
  • Specification Preparation: Direct the preparation of specifications for quality, quantity, delivery, and service required for the purchase of plant equipment, supplies, and materials to meet production schedules.
  • Inventory Control: Partner with plants and purchasing personnel on inventory controls and levels to conform to budgets and forecasts.
  • Standardization Studies: Participate in standardization studies with other divisions, groups, and/or corporate personnel.
  • Team Collaboration: Work in a team environment with other functional, divisional, and corporate managers to jointly achieve corporate goals.
  • Compliance Management: Act as the primary information source for the team, maintaining compliance and consistency, and taking corrective action when needed.
  • Safety Leadership: Foster a culture in which safety is the highest priority.
  • Incident Prevention: Prevent team member incidents or injuries by overseeing investigations, near-miss reporting, and root cause analysis.
  • Safety Guidelines: Ensure that Emerson guidelines are communicated, implemented, and understood to ensure the safety of people.
  • Warehouse Maintenance: Maintain the physical condition of the warehouse, ensuring proper maintenance of IT and test equipment, providing both preventive maintenance programs and all necessary repairs.
  • Budget Management: Responsible for the distribution center’s budget management, including development and monitoring.
  • Expenditure Control: Control and approve all expenditures, building maintenance, and requests for capital to maintain a cost-effective operation.
  • Financial Objective Achievement: Achieve financial objectives by preparing the annual warehouse budget, scheduling expenditures, and analyzing variances.

4. Distribution Center Manager Job Summary

  • Budget Management: Participate in expense and capital expenditure budgets and oversee distribution center budget development and monitoring.
  • Procurement Oversight: Direct the preparation of specifications for quality, quantity, delivery, and service required for the purchase of plant equipment, supplies, and materials to meet production schedules.
  • Inventory Control: Partner with plants and purchasing personnel on inventory controls and levels to conform to budgets and forecasts.
  • Standardization Analysis: Participate in standardization studies with other divisions, groups, and corporate personnel.
  • Collaborative Leadership: Work in a team environment with other functional, divisional, and corporate managers to jointly achieve corporate goals.
  • Information Management: Act as the primary information source for the team, ensuring compliance, consistency, and corrective action when needed.
  • Safety Leadership: Foster a culture in which safety is the highest priority by overseeing investigations, near-miss reporting, and root cause analysis.
  • Safety Compliance: Ensure that Emerson guidelines are communicated, implemented, and understood to ensure the safety of people.
  • Facility Maintenance: Maintain the physical condition of the warehouse, ensuring proper maintenance of IT and test equipment, preventive maintenance programs, and all necessary repairs.
  • Cost Management: Control and approve expenditures, building maintenance, and capital requests to maintain cost-effective operations.
  • Financial Planning: Achieve financial objectives by preparing the annual warehouse budget, scheduling expenditures, and analyzing variances.

5. Distribution Center Manager Accountabilities

  • Distribution Center Management: Manages and coordinates activities of the distribution center within budget and productivity standards.
  • Team Leadership: Leads by example, communicates effectively through regular team meetings, and provides ongoing guidance to employees and team leaders.
  • Training and Development: Provides training on new operational policies and procedures, evaluates performance, and offers coaching and development opportunities.
  • Employee Relations: Addresses employee issues in a timely fashion and ensures completion of performance evaluations for material handlers and team leaders.
  • Objective Achievement: Responsible for meeting productivity, quality, timeliness, and cost control targets within budget.
  • Reporting and Teamwork: Produces management reports and fosters a collaborative work environment.
  • Operational Support: Maintains a visible presence in the distribution center and assists in material handling during peak periods or absences to maintain service levels.
  • Process Improvement: Continuously seeks and implements process and procedure improvements to enhance productivity and quality.
  • Safety and Security Oversight: Maintains ongoing responsibility and oversight for the safety and security of the building.
  • Customer Relationship Management: Manages customer relations with branches, vendors, and internal/external customers through site visits and ensures service commitments are met.
  • Carrier Evaluation: Evaluates carrier performance based on delivery, quality, and price, recommending those who meet delivery and cost expectations.

6. Distribution Center Manager Functions

  • Employee Development: Monitors, coaches, and mentors FC Associates, facilitating training and career development.
  • Performance Management: Responsible for performance reviews and improvement plans, ensuring consistent Associate growth and accountability.
  • Recruitment Support: Participates in recruitment processes, including interviewing and decision-making with the FCM and HR.
  • Action Planning: Develops and executes daily and weekly action plans to meet Fulfillment Centre performance goals.
  • Goal Setting and Motivation: Establishes targets and motivates Associates to achieve FC objectives.
  • Operational Analysis: Analyzes and investigates operational procedures, recommending and executing improvements with the FCM.
  • Policy Compliance: Ensures accurate communication, implementation, and compliance with company policies and procedures.
  • Inventory and Service Issue Resolution: Communicates with internal sources to resolve warehouse inventory and service issues effectively.
  • Health and Safety Enforcement: Ensures adherence to health and safety guidelines, addressing and resolving concerns promptly.
  • Customer Service: Demonstrates professional customer service skills when interacting with internal and external customers.
  • Facility Standards: Maintains housekeeping standards and oversees equipment maintenance.
  • Corporate Representation: Acts as a corporate representative for the FC, hosting tours and serving as the primary contact for guests and visitors.

7. Distribution Center Manager Job Description

  • Operations Management: Maintain primary responsibility for all operations in the Distribution Center.
  • Recruitment and Hiring: Responsible for hiring all team members within the Distribution Center.
  • Team Leadership: Lead a team of 23-30 internal employees and 1-15 contract employees.
  • Process Improvement: Create, develop, and implement best practices to drive efficiency and accuracy.
  • Cost and Productivity Management: Monitor costs and productivity to build a profitable operation.
  • Order Accuracy: Assign, monitor, and audit team picking activities to ensure 100% accuracy of orders and efficient staff utilization.
  • Shipping and Logistics Management: Manage the Shipping/Traffic Department for timely and accurate shipping, order confirmation, ASNs, freight quotes, and import/export documentation.
  • Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with internal business partners to coordinate shipments, update tracking documents, and maintain logs.
  • Inventory Management: Manage cycle counting and ensure inventory integrity through accurate picking and bin consolidation.
  • Workforce Development: Provide motivation, training, discipline, and development opportunities for the workforce.
  • Client and Company Standards: Exceed requirements set forth by both company and client.

8. Distribution Center Manager Overview

  • Strategic Implementation: Convert corporate strategic directives into actionable Distribution Centre processes and objectives.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with other departments across the supply chain and organization.
  • KPI Achievement: Achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality, cost, and service.
  • Cost Control: Identify and recommend policies and practices to reduce costs and improve service delivery.
  • P&L Management: Manage unit-level profit and loss and participate in OPEX & CAPEX budget preparation.
  • Project Leadership: Lead supply chain projects and initiatives to enhance quality, cost efficiency, and service.
  • Scheduling and Staffing: Ensure efficient work schedules, adequate staffing levels, and workload review relative to manpower and equipment.
  • Local Logistics Management: Oversee transportation, driver coordination, and store deliveries while ensuring fleet maintenance standards.
  • Damage Mitigation: Limit damage through improved shipping procedures.
  • Distribution Center Oversight: Establish and manage plans, budgets, and performance focusing on safety, quality, customer satisfaction, and cost.
  • Service Execution: Direct internal staff and external service providers to maintain high levels of service and tactical execution.
  • Operational Optimization: Manage trade-offs between cost and service while addressing safety, inventory, compliance, automation, and labor to drive operational excellence.

9. Distribution Center Manager Details and Accountabilities

  • Capacity Optimization: Fully utilize truck capacity while minimizing damage to customers.
  • Team Leadership: Lead daily pre-shift meetings addressing productivity, operational issues, workload forecasts, health and safety, and company updates.
  • Inventory Coordination: Act as the coordinator for all physical inventories and ensure accurate record-keeping.
  • Inventory Analysis: Provide analysis and reports on system-wide inventory.
  • Stock Management: Maintain records of all stocks and materials, oversee storing of received stock, and ensure proper inventory handling.
  • Product Recall Participation: Contribute to product recall programs and follow required procedures.
  • FIFO Implementation: Maintain First-In-First-Out (FIFO) processes and follow through on vendor claims.
  • Inventory Optimization: Recommend actions for aged inventory, dead stock items, and write-offs.
  • Discrepancy Resolution: Investigate inventory discrepancies and make necessary adjustments.
  • Cycle Count Supervision: Supervise all cycle counts and physical inventory counts, ensuring proper slotting of items.
  • Invoice Auditing: Audit invoices to ensure the accuracy of purchase orders and vendor billing prior to approval.

10. Distribution Center Manager Tasks

  • Facility and Equipment Maintenance: Maintain equipment and building to minimize downtime and M&R expenses.
  • Workplace Safety: Ensure compliance with company health and safety standards and government regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, FDA) for workplace safety.
  • Safety System Coordination: Coordinate testing for alarm-monitoring and sprinkler systems.
  • Inclusive Workplace Management: Maintain a safe, clean, and harassment-free work environment for employees.
  • Customer and Vendor Relationship Management: Build strong relationships with internal and external customers, forwarding feedback appropriately and promptly.
  • Employee Development: Grow and develop employees while promoting an inclusive culture to retain high-quality staff.
  • Team Building: Facilitate and support team-building initiatives.
  • Capital Equipment Oversight: Oversee evaluation, selection, and replacement of capital equipment for warehouse and distribution functions.
  • Expense Control: Maintain control over expenses related to the operation of the distribution center.
  • Supplier Management: Select suppliers and negotiate service agreements to meet warehousing and distribution needs.