What Do Distribution Specialists Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for distribution specialists?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what distribution specialists do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Distribution Specialists Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about distribution specialists by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Distribution Specialists analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.
Popular Job Titles For Distribution Specialists
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Logistics Coordinators
- Supply Chain Analysts
- Production Planners
- Supply Chain Associates
- Logistics Specialists
- Logistics Analysts
- Material Coordinators
- Supply Chain Specialists
- Demand Planners
- Inventory Analysts
- Planners/Schedulers
- Transportation Coordinators
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for distribution specialists can be found.
Best Industries for Distribution Specialists
Distribution Specialists Jobs By Industry
- Federal Government, Civilian: 14.9%
- Federal Government, Military: 10.2%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 8.5%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 5.7%
- Freight Transportation Arrangement: 3.5%
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 3.1%
- Other: 54.1%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of distribution specialists can be found working in the Federal Government, Civilian sector. In 2023, about 14.9% of all jobs for distribution specialists were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Federal Government, Military (10.2%), Management of Companies and Enterprises (8.5%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5.7%), Freight Transportation Arrangement (3.5%) and Computer Systems Design and Related Services (3.1%).
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Degree Options for Distribution Specialists
Build on your associate's degree and improve efficiency by designing and developing effective supply chains.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Improve product workflow, streamline operational efficiency, and “green” your business in today’s global business environment.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Distribution Specialists Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what distribution specialists do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work distribution specialists do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that distribution specialists tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for distribution specialists, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Distribution Specialists
Based on 152,047 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Distribution Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain | 54,488 | 36% |
| Logistics | 29,138 | 19% |
| Purchasing | 28,755 | 19% |
| Inventory Management | 28,246 | 19% |
| Warehousing | 26,313 | 17% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Distribution Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 65,646 | 43% |
| Management | 52,239 | 34% |
| Operations | 51,963 | 34% |
| Planning | 49,617 | 33% |
| Customer Service | 46,613 | 31% |
Based on 152,047 job postings related to distribution specialists, supply chain was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 36% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for logistics, purchasing, inventory management, warehousing and procurement were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for distribution specialists, followed by management, operations, planning, customer service and microsoft excel.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain | 54,488 | 36% |
| Logistics | 29,138 | 19% |
| Purchasing | 28,755 | 19% |
| Inventory Management | 28,246 | 19% |
| Warehousing | 26,313 | 17% |
| Procurement | 24,473 | 16% |
| SAP Applications | 22,087 | 15% |
| Supply Chain Management | 20,430 | 13% |
| Continuous Improvement Process | 20,213 | 13% |
| Project Management | 17,221 | 11% |
| Marketing | 14,332 | 9% |
| Finance | 13,879 | 9% |
| Process Improvement | 13,663 | 9% |
| Auditing | 13,573 | 9% |
| Material Requirements Planning | 13,494 | 9% |
| Supply Chain Planning | 13,161 | 9% |
| Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | 13,106 | 9% |
| Data Analysis | 12,891 | 8% |
| Invoicing | 12,662 | 8% |
| Inventory Control | 12,499 | 8% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 65,646 | 43% |
| Management | 52,239 | 34% |
| Operations | 51,963 | 34% |
| Planning | 49,617 | 33% |
| Customer Service | 46,613 | 31% |
| Microsoft Excel | 41,948 | 28% |
| Problem Solving | 37,065 | 24% |
| Detail Oriented | 36,254 | 24% |
| Sales | 35,156 | 23% |
| Microsoft Office | 32,092 | 21% |
| Scheduling | 25,928 | 17% |
| Leadership | 25,286 | 17% |
| Coordinating | 24,445 | 16% |
| Forecasting | 19,981 | 13% |
| Writing | 19,976 | 13% |
| Computer Literacy | 19,669 | 13% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 18,859 | 12% |
| Self-Motivation | 18,168 | 12% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 17,668 | 12% |
| Multitasking | 16,625 | 11% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Distribution Specialists
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics Coordinators | 21,007 | 13.5% |
| Supply Chain Analysts | 13,747 | 8.8% |
| Production Planners | 13,083 | 8.4% |
| Supply Chain Associates | 19,585 | 12.6% |
| Logistics Specialists | 9,977 | 6.4% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was logistics coordinators, with 8,817 unique job postings. Supply chain analysts were second, with 5,145 postings, followed by production planners, supply chain associates and logistics specialists.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to distribution specialists.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics Coordinators | 21,007 | 13.5% |
| Supply Chain Analysts | 13,747 | 8.8% |
| Production Planners | 13,083 | 8.4% |
| Supply Chain Associates | 19,585 | 12.6% |
| Logistics Specialists | 9,977 | 6.4% |
| Logistics Analysts | 10,443 | 6.7% |
| Material Coordinators | 8,313 | 5.3% |
| Supply Chain Specialists | 7,041 | 4.5% |
| Demand Planners | 6,679 | 4.3% |
| Inventory Analysts | 4,944 | 3.2% |
| Planners/Schedulers | 4,747 | 3.1% |
| Transportation Coordinators | 4,930 | 3.2% |
| Material Planners | 4,642 | 3% |
| Delivery Coordinators | 5,841 | 3.8% |
| Supply Chain Planners | 3,860 | 2.5% |
| Supply Chain Coordinators | 4,294 | 2.8% |
| Supply Planners | 3,190 | 2.1% |
| Logistics Associates | 3,441 | 2.2% |
| Distribution Specialists | 3,258 | 2.1% |
| Materials Planners | 2,471 | 1.6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for distribution specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for distribution specialists.
How much do distribution specialists make?
Distribution Specialists: How do you become one?
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