Specialised goods distribution manager
About this occupation
Specialised goods distribution managers plan, coordinate and manage the distribution of specialised goods to various points of sales. They oversee employees and ensure that operations run efficiently such as the storage, transportation and delivery of specialised goods.
A specialisation of distribution manager.
Essential skills and knowledge
- supply chain management
- handle carriers
- track shipments
- communicate with shipment forwarders
- implement strategic planning
- perform risk analysis
- plan transport operations
- manage financial risk
- cost management
- freight transport methods
- carry out statistical forecasts
- adhere to organisational guidelines
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (O*NET 11-3071.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
- Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programs and activities.
- Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
- Plan, organize, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
- Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
- Analyze all aspects of corporate logistics to determine the most cost-effective or efficient means of transporting products or supplies.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Monitoring, Coordination, Writing, Speaking
US median pay: US$107,230 a year (2025), 221,180 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.6)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.2)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Logisticians
- Logistics Analysts
- Logistics Engineers
- Supply Chain Managers
- General and Operations Managers
- Industrial Production Managers
- Facilities Managers
- Transportation Planners
- Purchasing Managers
- Project Management Specialists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Specialisations
- agricultural machinery and equipment distribution manager
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- chemical products distribution manager
- china and glassware distribution manager
- clothing and footwear distribution manager
- coffee, tea, cocoa and spices distribution manager
- computers, computer peripheral equipment and software distribution manager
- dairy products and edible oils distribution manager
- electrical household appliances distribution manager
- electronic and telecommunications equipment and parts distribution manager
- fish, crustaceans and molluscs distribution manager
- flowers and plants distribution manager
- fruit and vegetables distribution manager
- furniture, carpets and lighting equipment distribution manager
- hardware, plumbing and heating equipment and supplies distribution manager
- hides, skins and leather products distribution manager
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- live animals distribution manager
- machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft distribution manager
- meat and meat products distribution manager
- metals and metal ores distribution manager
- mining, construction and civil engineering machinery distribution manager
- perfume and cosmetics distribution manager
- pharmaceutical goods distribution manager
- sugar, chocolate and sugar confectionery distribution manager
- textile industry machinery distribution manager
- textiles, textile semi-finished and raw materials distribution manager
- tobacco products distribution manager
- waste and scrap distribution manager
- watches and jewellery distribution manager
- wood and construction materials distribution manager