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Distribution Planning Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Coordinate with the field locations and distribution planners to execute outage plans and competitive product clearances * Manage tactical communication and execution with Regional Sales and ...

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$100K - $120K/yr

Supply Chain Distribution Planning Manager Louis Vuitton Americas is seeking aSupply Chain Distribution Planning Manager. As a key member of the Supply Chain team, you will manage a specific product ...

Long Range Gas & Electric Distribution Planning - Manage key workstreams that support long-range planning for the gas and electric distribution systems. Contribute analyses that identify future ...

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Job responsabilities As the Distribution Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the rapid expansion of our Direct-to-Consumer business and shaping the future of our distribution planning ...

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Distribution Planning Manager information

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$39K

$74.7K

$121.5K

How much do distribution planning manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for distribution planning manager in the United States is $74,699.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $83,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a distribution planning manager?

To thrive as a Distribution Planning Manager, you need strong analytical skills, supply chain knowledge, and a relevant degree in logistics, business, or engineering. Familiarity with ERP systems, demand planning software, and certifications like APICS CPIM or CSCP are typically required. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help foster collaboration and drive efficient operations. These skills and qualifications are crucial for optimizing inventory, reducing costs, and ensuring reliable product delivery across the supply chain.

What are the most common challenges faced by distribution planning managers, and how can they be addressed?

Distribution Planning Managers often face challenges such as balancing inventory levels with demand, managing supply chain disruptions, and coordinating effectively with multiple departments. To address these, strong analytical skills, proactive risk management, and clear communication channels are essential. Regular collaboration with logistics, procurement, and sales teams helps anticipate issues and streamline processes, while leveraging advanced planning software can enhance efficiency and accuracy.

What is the difference between Distribution Planning Manager vs Logistics Coordinator?

AspectDistribution Planning ManagerLogistics Coordinator
Primary FocusOversees distribution strategies, inventory flow, and supply chain efficiencyCoordinates transportation, shipping, and delivery logistics
Required SkillsSupply chain management, data analysis, planningScheduling, vendor communication, transportation coordination
Work EnvironmentWarehouse, distribution centers, supply chain officesShipping docks, transportation hubs, logistics offices
Common CertificationsAPICS CPIM, CSCP, or supply chain certificationsNone typically required, but logistics or transportation certifications helpful

The Distribution Planning Manager focuses on strategic planning and optimizing the entire distribution network, while the Logistics Coordinator handles day-to-day transportation and shipping operations. Both roles are essential in supply chain management but differ in scope and responsibilities.

How much do distribution planning managers make in the US?

Distribution Planning Managers in the US typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require strong analytical skills and knowledge of supply chain management tools to optimize distribution networks.

What does a distribution planning manager do?

A distribution planning manager oversees the development and execution of strategies to efficiently distribute products from warehouses to retail locations or customers. They analyze supply chain data, coordinate logistics, and optimize routes to reduce costs and improve delivery times, often using tools like transportation management systems. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of inventory management are essential for this role.

What cities are hiring for Distribution Planning Manager jobs?

Cities with the most Distribution Planning Manager job openings:

What states have the most Distribution Planning Manager jobs?

States with the most job openings for Distribution Planning Manager jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Distribution Planning Manager jobs?

For Distribution Planning Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Distribution Planning Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,699 per year, or $35.9 per hour.

Distribution Planning Manager

Bethlehem, PA

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New


Messer rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Messer

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

The best things about working at Messer

  • 93%

    93% say their health insurance is affordable

    say their health insurance is affordable

  • 92%

    92% say they get paid time off

    say they get paid time off

  • 87%

    87% say their managers don’t change their shifts at short notice

    say their managers don’t change their shifts at short notice

Featured by Messer, based on 21 Breakroom Quiz responses from their frontline employees


Job description

Why Messer? 

Messer is the world’s largest privately held industrial gases company and what we do matters because it is woven into every part of life, from the medical gases that patients rely on to the essential elements needed to safely and sustainably produce the goods our communities depend on.

The true strength of Messer is our people—at every level and in every role.

Join us and take pride in the impact you will make by providing solutions essential to our world and lives. Reach your highest potential at our stable, inclusive company with diverse opportunities in a growing industry, supported by people who care.

Messer stands apart because we put what matters first, and you matter.

Principal Responsibilities: 

Planning and Organizing

• Identifies, develops and drives scheduling and service best practice initiatives inside the National Scheduling Center and with the other function of Supply Chain Planning and the Regional Sales organization.

• Ensures compliance with standard distribution procedures.

• Works with Distribution KPI’s and other scorecards to maximize continuous improvement efforts in reducing cost to serve at an agreed minimum service level.

• Assist the Director of National Scheduling Center in strategic resource planning, and motivates their direct team members to meet or exceed business KPIs and targets

• Collaborates with all Supply functions, Sales, HSEQ and field locations to regularly evaluate the most efficient way to schedule and dispatch the distribution resources within each merchant region

• Coordinate with field locations and distribution planners to fulfill Take-or-Pay obligations

• Coordinate with the field locations and distribution planners to execute outage plans and competitive product clearances

• Manage tactical communication and execution with Regional Sales and customers to ensure continuous customer supply

• Ensure product quality adherence and support Central quality on during any quality deviation

• Collaborate cross functionally to support customer supply plans for future growth or new customers; including but not limited to tank sizing, resource requirements, quality, etc.

 Day-to-Day Operations

• Manages emergency or upset conditions with plants or customers for their regional merchant team

• Distributes daily workload and maintains shift schedules of direct team members

• Serve as first line management escalation point to resolve customer or field distribution related issues

• Collaborates with logistics and regional management using proprietary software, monitors all internal and external levels of service, capacity, and key performance indicators (KPIs) used in the measurement of customer satisfaction

• Works closely with key-account customers, central transport, sales, product management, and process operations to collaborate regularly on a range of customer priorities, implications and initiatives.

 People Management

• Responsible for all managerial aspects and personnel administration for their Distribution Planning Team

• Involved in recruiting and orientation for vacant positions

• Trains develops, motivates and guides all distribution planners in the use of all systems and tools

• Identifies training requirements for distribution planners

• Provides quarterly feedback to distribution planners via scorecard

• Inspires Messer behavioral competencies, and customer ownership within distribution planners

• Cascades own goals and works with distribution planners in creating their development plan via the PMP process.

• Drives performance via various performance management tools, PMP, coaching/counselling, PIP, scorecard, KPIs, etc.

Additional Accountabilities

• Maintain safety standards; support Opex targets

• Increased level of customer and employee satisfaction

• Continuous process improvement and implementation of best operating practices

• Demonstration of ACTS competencies

• Optimal use of technology and systems

• Change management effectiveness

• Development of staff

• Ability to manage other project-oriented activities, for example, tube trailer scheduling, etc.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills: 

• 3-5 years of GOLD/Midas experience and Digital Deliver proficiency required

• Expert User of essential National Scheduling Center tools 

• Demonstrated skills in project/initiative management

• Strong analytical skills, math aptitude necessary and communication skills needed

• Strong mentoring and training skills

• Demonstrated capability to lead formulation and execution of improvement initiatives

• Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt skills are a plus

• Minimum of 2-3 years of demonstrated leadership, forging good working relationships with team members and other functional areas as well as proven track record in managing change 

• Availability to work flexible schedule (one weekend every six weeks is required)

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, logistics, or supply chain managements

• At least 5-7 years’ experience in dispatch, scheduling, or transportation/logistics

About Messer: 

Messer’s safety culture, commitment to providing dependable supply and innovative gas technology solutions help customers unlock opportunities to be safer, more sustainable, more productive and more efficient, so their business thrives. We nurture lasting, meaningful relationships with customers, our communities, and with one another. 

We offer comprehensive benefits and appreciable pay, with steady schedules and opportunities for ongoing training and career progression. We prioritize and invest in our people at every level of our organization – the dedication, knowledge, customer focus and entrepreneurial spirit of our employees is what make Messer refreshingly different.

If you need assistance with the application or would like to request accommodation, call (877) 243-1030.


Working at Messer

Perks for frontline workers

From Messer, via Breakroom

  • Health insurance

  • Retirement Plan

  • Paid Time Off

  • Ongoing training & development opportunities

About Messer, in their own words

From Messer

Messer offers more than 125 years of expertise in industrial, medical, specialty and electronics gases. The company delivers quality gases, related services and technology via an extensive production and distribution network. Health and safety, sustainability practices and environmental protection are core Messer values that are embedded in the company’s daily operations.

Company values

From Messer

Our Mission: To become the premier supplier of choice for industrial, medical and specialty gas solutions, admired for our safety culture, customer focus, performance, and innovation.

Our Vision: ​As the leading privately held provider of industrial, medical, and specialty gas solutions, we are the first choice for customers and employees.

Our Purpose: We help people drive progress.

At Messer, we know people – who are welcomed and empowered – create our success. Whether you’re a recent graduate starting your career or returning to the workforce after a break, you might be the perfect fit to spark innovative thinking and bring creative new ideas to our growing team.

From ongoing training and development opportunities to tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs, you’ll feel valued and get to make a real impact.

We’re expanding into new markets and creating technologies that impact nearly every aspect of daily life, with new and exciting opportunities for you to thrive every single day. Will you join us?


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