Distribution Manager

CareersInFood.com; Landover (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Stable and growing organization

Collaborative leadership team

Impact on operations

Job summary

CareersInFood.com client, a growing food manufacturing company, seeks an experienced Distribution Manager to lead transportation, fleet, and distribution operations, ensuring on-time, safe delivery and regulatory compliance.

This hands-on leadership role oversees distribution personnel, fleet operations, and cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Customer Service to support growth and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Operations Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership in distribution, transportation, logistics, or supply chain operations.
• Experience managing transportation teams, drivers, fleet operations, and distribution personnel; food manufacturing or distribution experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead distribution operations including transportation, dispatch, routing, scheduling, and fleet management.
• Recruit and develop distribution supervisors, dispatch personnel, drivers, and support staff.
• Set department goals, KPIs and performance expectations; foster accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure staffing levels and schedules support operational demands and customer commitments.

Skills

Leadership

Logistics

Communication

Problem solving

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain / Logistics / Business

Tools

Transportation management systems

Fleet management software

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client, a growing food manufacturing company, is seeking an experienced Distribution Manager to lead transportation, fleet, and distribution operations. This individual will be responsible for ensuring products are delivered safely, efficiently, and on time while driving operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and outstanding customer service.

This is a hands‑on leadership role that oversees distribution personnel, fleet operations, and logistics while partnering closely with Operations, Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Customer Service to support business growth and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all distribution operations, including transportation, dispatch, routing, scheduling, and fleet management.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and manage distribution supervisors, dispatch personnel, drivers, and support staff.
• Establish department goals, KPIs, and performance expectations while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure staffing levels and schedules support operational demands and customer commitments.

Transportation & Fleet Management

• Oversee company fleet operations to ensure vehicles remain safe, compliant, and well maintained.
• Manage preventive maintenance programs and coordinate repairs with outside vendors.
• Monitor fleet utilization, transportation costs, fuel consumption, and overall operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with DOT regulations, driver qualifications, vehicle inspections, and transportation safety standards.

Operational Excellence

• Drive improvements in delivery performance, route optimization, customer service, and cost control.
• Monitor key performance indicators, including:
• Transportation costs
• Driver productivity
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure distribution operations comply with FDA, FSMA, GMP, HACCP, SQF, DOT, and OSHA requirements.
• Partner with Quality and Operations to maintain product integrity throughout storage and transportation.
• Support internal audits, regulatory inspections, and corrective action initiatives.
• Ensure employees complete required food safety, regulatory, and safety training.

Financial & Business Management

• Develop and manage departmental budgets, including labor, fleet maintenance, fuel, and transportation expenses.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, improve efficiency, and support strategic decision‑making.
• Provide regular reporting on departmental performance and key metrics.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Production, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Sales to ensure efficient order fulfillment and customer satisfaction.
• Support production planning and capacity management to meet customer demand.
• Lead projects that improve distribution capabilities and support future growth.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent experience will be considered.

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in distribution, transportation, logistics, or supply chain operations.
• Experience managing transportation teams, drivers, fleet operations, and distribution personnel.
• Food manufacturing or food distribution experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing operational KPIs, budgets, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred Skills

• Strong leadership and employee development skills.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Financial acumen with experience managing operating budgets.
• Knowledge of transportation management systems, fleet management software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment while managing multiple priorities.

Technical Knowledge

Working knowledge of:

• FDA FSMA
• GMP
• HACCP
• SQF
• DOT Regulations
• OSHA

What Our Client Offers

• Competitive compensation
• Stable and growing organization
• Collaborative leadership team
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on operations