Distribution Management

Distribution management refers to the process of overseeing the movement of goods from supplier or manufacturer to point of sale. If you are looking for a role in Distribution Management, then checkout these interview questions to prepare for the interview.

Q.1 What are the primary logistics activities?
1.Helps the marketing department to set customer service levels.
2. Facilitates taking location decisions.
3. Helps in warehousing and materials handling
Q.2 What is Make-to-stock manufacturing strategy?
Make-to-stock manufacturing strategy involves holding products in inventory for immediate delivery, so as to minimize customer delivery times.
Q.3 What is the primary objective of material management?
Maintaining good supplier and customer relationship.
Q.4 Which factors influences the channel design?
Intensity of market coverage sought from the channels and extent of convenience to be provided to the customer.
Q.5 Which factor increase the operational savings that a supplier expects from an IOIS relationship?
High inventory cost rates and high demand uncertainty.
Q.6 Which are the criteria for site selection for a warehouse?
1. Cost of procurement should be less
2. Services like labor etc should be easily available.
3. Must be sufficiently high to afford proper drainage
Q.7 What are the primary logistics activities?
1.Helps the marketing department to set customer service levels.
2. Facilitates taking location decisions.
3. Helps in warehousing and materials handling
Q.8 What is Make-to-stock manufacturing strategy?
Make-to-stock manufacturing strategy involves holding products in inventory for immediate delivery, so as to minimize customer delivery times.
Q.9 What is the primary objective of material management?
Maintaining good supplier and customer relationship.
Q.10 Which factors influences the channel design?
Intensity of market coverage sought from the channels and extent of convenience to be provided to the customer.
Q.11 Which factor increase the operational savings that a supplier expects from an IOIS relationship?
High inventory cost rates and high demand uncertainty.
Q.12 Which are the criteria for site selection for a warehouse?
1. Cost of procurement should be less
2. Services like labor etc should be easily available.
3. Must be sufficiently high to afford proper drainage
Q.13 According to you, what are the duties of an ideal distribution manager?
The only purpose of the interviewer is to assess your awareness about the knowledge and skills required to perform the tasks and also have a clarity on the expectation as a distribution manager. It is suggested to illustrate your experience together with your skills to demonstrate yourself as a potential and ready candidate. Sample Answer - "I have been working as a distribution manager for over five years now. As a distribution manager I was expected to perform the following - 1. Actively directing, guiding, and motivating teams to handle goods distribution and storage activities properly. 2. Training personnel to make sure that distribution work is handled accordingly 3. Monitoring stock levels, delivery times, and transport costs 4. Allocating and managing staff resources, 5. Liaising and negotiating with customers 6. Developing business opportunities 7. Overseeing warehouse operations 8. Developing and implementing logistics processes 9. Managing inventory of goods
Q.14 What are the skills you possess as a distribution manager that differentiates you from other contenders? Convince us.
Very often candidate fall to this question and are not able to impress the interviewer leading to rejections. Instead look at the question as an opportunity to step forward and get cracking. If have ample experience then focus on highlighting the same - Sample Answer - I possess substantial experience of working in distribution and storage that gives me an upper edge with the functioning and implementation. Also I am an excellent communicator, that makes it easy to liaise with people within the company, and externally. Together with excellent knowledge of developing and implementing logistics systems, and skills to handle shipping activities increase my chances to be a potential candidate. Also I have expertise in developing cost reduction initiatives, while maintaining productivity, and quality control.
Q.15 What is the one thing that you wish to change your present place of work?
Beware of such question as it is more like a flip of coin, it may land up either in favour or against your opinion. This question is asked to check the understanding of the overall functioning and your interaction with the current system. Sample Answer - I would suggest that the shipping and logistics system at my present place of work should be made more profound and efficient.
Q.16 How will you handle disputes between employees?
In order to resolve an issue it is suggested to remain objective and allow both the parties to voice their opinion in a closed environment. In order to handle the situation harmoniously I will take notes of each party and speak with other employees about the situation. Post which I will assemble both of the parties in a meeting, to reach a mutual agreement. Also I would preferably schedule the two for different shifts in order to reduce the chance of conflict. This would be highly suggested so that no further issues occur.
Q.17 What is the one thing that you find extremely difficult in the profile of a distribution manager?
To be honest with you, I do not find the job roles that difficult. Indeed there are times when we have to deal with such tough situations and challenges that can make things a bit tricky. But since I thrive in a challenging environment, it doesn’t matter a lot instead it motivates to further upgrade and enhance my skills set avoid such situations.
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