Distribution Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

LWX (formerly Latitude Wines) imports wine and spirits from Europe, South America, and Australia and distributes them to national and regional retailers across the U.S.
The Distribution Manager manages LWX's distributor network, including onboarding, rate negotiations, performance, master data, inventory, and order flow. This role partners across teams to ensure accurate, timely execution and clear operating practices.
Essential Responsibilities
Other duties may be assigned.
Distributor Network DesignALL Design and maintain a strategic distributor network that supports current business requirements and anticipated growth.
Lead distributor selection and negotiation for assigned markets, evaluating capabilities, coverage, service levels, costs, and retailer requirements.
Own the request-for-proposal process for new distributor partners.
Negotiate rates, service terms, performance expectations, and operating requirements; maintain approved agreements and rate records.
Lead distributor onboarding, account setup, launch readiness, and first-order validation.
Partner with Compliance to confirm and maintain required state licenses and regulatory requirements.
Distributor Performance Management
Serve as the primary operational contact for distributor questions, service issues, and exceptions.
Track inventory, order status, fulfillment accuracy, service performance, and SLA compliance.
Identify recurring gaps and coordinate corrective actions with internal partners.
Maintain distributor SOPs, controls, and standard work.
Distributor Supply Management
Monitor inventory, depletions, weeks of supply, and out-of-stock or excess risks.
Recommend replenishment and coordinate inventory movements and orders.
Coordinate distributor sales orders from receipt through delivery, ensuring accurate quantities, pricing, dates, and shipping instructions.
Key Performance Indicators
Order accuracy and on-time fulfillment for assigned distributors
Distributor inventory visibility, availability, and weeks-of-supply targets
Supervisory Duties
No direct reports; role reports to the Director, Customer Service.
May provide process guidance and training to coordinators and cross-functional partners.
Competencies
Analytical, adaptable, and results-oriented.
Strong communication, decision-making, negotiation, planning, and influencing skills.
Practical, service-focused continuous-improvement mindset.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
3+ years in distributor operations, customer service, order or inventory management, or supply chain; wine, spirits, or beverage alcohol experience required.
Knowledge of distributor fulfillment, inventory, pricing, freight or warehouse rates, and master data.
ERP experience, preferably Teravina or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and strong Excel skills.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional coordination skills.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:
Standing and Sitting: Specific demands for standing and sitting on this job:
Regularly required to stand;
Frequently required to sit
Walking and Reaching: Specific demands for walking and reaching on this job:
Regularly required to walk and reach with hands and arms
Climb, Balance, Crawl: Specific demands for this job:
The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Dexterity and Sense of Touch: Specific demands for sense of touch and dexterity on this job:
Frequently required to use hand to finger movements, handle, or feel;
Lifting: Specific demands for lifting on this job:
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
Vision: Specific vision abilities required by this job:
Close vision
Color Vision
Ability to adjust focus
Verbal and Auditory Demands: Specific talking and hearing abilities required by this job:
Must be able to talk and hear
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Job category: General Administration and Other