About the role
The Distribution Manager is responsible for leading daily warehouse operations, inventory control, shipping/receiving, and order fulfillment within a highly regulated distribution environment. This role holds primary responsibility for team management, operational accuracy, ERP/WMS system execution, and regulatory compliance (GDP/DSCSA).
What you'll do
Team Leadership & Inclusive Development
- Lead warehouse staffing, onboarding, daily task assignment, and performance management to support a skilled, accountable, and dependable team.
- Establish clear performance expectations, deliver continuous coaching, and conduct documented performance evaluations aligned with operational KPIs and compliance standards.
- Develop employee competency through structured training, cross-training, and qualification assessments to strengthen workforce flexibility and operational redundancy.
- Promote an inclusive, collaborative, respectful, and safety-focused work environment through transparent communication, active listening, and constructive feedback.
ERP/WMS Execution & Systems Proficiency
- ·Develop and maintain proficiency in company ERP/WMS configurations, transaction requirements, inventory structures, and established distribution workflows.
- Execute, review, and validate receiving, put-away, inventory transfers, order processing, shipping confirmations, and authorized inventory adjustments.
- Verify accurate entry and maintenance of item numbers, units of measure, quantities, lot numbers, expiration dates, and serialization data.
- Investigate transaction discrepancies, system exceptions, inventory variances, and incomplete records, ensuring timely resolution or escalation.
- Utilize ERP/WMS reporting tools to monitor order status, inventory accuracy, receiving performance, transaction completion, and distribution KPIs.
- Collaborate with IT to troubleshoot system issues, validate approved workflow changes, and support ongoing employee training.
Inventory Management & Operations
- Direct daily receiving, storage, order fulfillment, shipping, and returns activities to ensure efficient workflow execution and service delivery.
- Maintain inventory accuracy through controlled receiving, lot/expiration tracking, cycle counts, discrepancy reconciliation, and timely corrective action.
- Enforce approved product storage, segregation, environmental monitoring, and temperature control requirements; escalate excursions or damaged goods immediately.
- Evaluate and optimize distribution processes to improve throughput, eliminate inefficiencies, reduce errors, and control operating costs.
- Coordinate priorities with Customer Service, Supply Chain, and Logistics to meet fulfillment commitments and address service disruptions proactively.
Quality, Regulatory & Compliance
- Ensure operations comply with Good Distribution Practices (GDP), FDA regulations, Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) guidelines, State Board of Pharmacy requirements, and SOPs.
- Conduct documented operational inspections, transaction reviews, and process verifications to identify inventory discrepancies, procedural gaps, and quality risks.
- Support deviation investigations, root-cause analysis (5-Why), and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA); execute recall, traceability, and temperature excursion procedures.
- Maintain audit-ready practices and support internal audits, regulatory inspections, and customer assessments in coordination with Quality and Compliance.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Experience: 5+ years of progressive warehouse, distribution, or inventory operations experience, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or management capacity. (An equivalent combination of education and directly relevant operational leadership experience will be considered).
- Systems Proficiency: Practical experience executing and troubleshooting transactions within ERP and/or WMS platforms.
- Problem Solving: Proven ability to investigate operational discrepancies, identify root causes, and execute corrective actions.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Word.
- Education: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent credential required.
Preferred / Optional Qualifications
(Candidates who meet these preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply, but candidates meeting all basic requirements will receive full consideration.)
- Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Industry Experience: Experience in pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare, or other highly regulated distribution environments.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with DSCSA, pharmaceutical serialization, EPCIS, lot traceability, and expiration controls.
- Certifications: Forklift operator certification or experience overseeing powered industrial truck safety programs.
Competencies
- Inclusive team leadership, coaching, and workforce development
- ERP/WMS transaction execution, reporting, and issue resolution
- Warehouse operations, inventory control, and order fulfillment
- Operational planning, prioritization, and cross-functional coordination
- Regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and quality systems
- Root-cause analysis, sound judgment, and corrective action
- Clear communication, collaboration, and constructive feedback
- Continuous improvement, process optimization, and cost awareness
Why Join us?
- Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage (100% employer-paid for employees and dependents
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off and company-recognized holiday
- Parental leave and professional development opportunities