Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking an experienced and operationally sharp Distribution Manager to oversee end-to-end distribution activities across the UAE. This mid-level role sits at the heart of our supply chain, responsible for ensuring pharmaceutical and healthcare products are stored, handled, and delivered in full compliance with regulatory standards — on time, every time. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in pharmaceutical or healthcare distribution, a strong understanding of UAE regulatory requirements (GDP, MoHAP, DHA), and the leadership skills to manage a cross-functional warehouse and logistics team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Distribution & Logistics Operations

• Manage day-to-day distribution operations including inbound, storage, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery across the UAE

• Oversee route planning, fleet management, and delivery scheduling to ensure on-time delivery performance

• Coordinate with third-party logistics providers (3PLs), couriers, and freight forwarders

• Monitor and optimize distribution costs, delivery SLAs, and operational KPIs

• Ensure all delivery documentation (waybills, proof of delivery, invoices) is accurate and fully compliant

• Handle urgent, priority, and cold-chain deliveries with appropriate handling protocols

Warehouse & Inventory Management

• Supervise warehouse operations including receiving, put-away, picking, packing, and dispatching

• Maintain accurate stock records and ensure inventory integrity through regular cycle counts and full stock audits

• Manage cold-chain storage areas, monitoring temperature and humidity logs in line with product specifications

• Enforce FEFO (First Expiry, First Out) and FIFO stock rotation policies across all product lines

• Minimize stock discrepancies, wastage, and expired goods through proactive inventory controls

• Oversee returns management — processing, quarantine, and disposal in line with company SOPs

Regulatory & GDP Compliance

• Ensure full adherence to Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines as required by MoHAP, DHA, and DOH

• Maintain all distribution licenses, storage permits, and regulatory documentation up to date

• Prepare for and lead internal and external GDP/regulatory audits; implement corrective actions (CAPAs) as required

• Ensure narcotics, controlled substances, and temperature-sensitive products are handled and stored per regulatory requirements

• Maintain and update SOPs for all distribution and warehousing activities

• Coordinate with the regulatory affairs team on product recalls, market withdrawals, and quarantine procedures

Team Leadership & Development
• Lead, schedule, and manage a team of warehouse supervisors, logistics coordinators, and delivery drivers
• Set individual and team performance targets; conduct regular appraisals and performance reviews
• Identify training needs and upskill team members on GDP, safe handling, and operational procedures
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement across the distribution team
• Manage headcount planning, shift scheduling, and overtime allocation

Customer Service & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary operational point of contact for key customers — hospitals, pharmacy chains, clinics, and wholesalers

• Resolve delivery issues, complaints, and discrepancies in a timely and professional manner

• Collaborate closely with the sales team to prioritize urgent orders and support key account requirements

• Liaise with procurement and supply planning teams to align inbound supply with outbound demand

• Provide regular updates to senior management on distribution performance, challenges, and improvement initiatives

Systems & Reporting

• Manage and optimize the use of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP platforms (SAP, Oracle, or similar)

• Generate daily, weekly, and monthly distribution reports covering on-time delivery, order accuracy, stock levels, and cost

• Identify operational bottlenecks and lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency

• Track and report on fleet utilization, fuel consumption, and maintenance schedules

Requirements

Education
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field — required
• CIPS, APICS (CSCP/CPIM), or equivalent supply chain certification — a strong advantage

Experience
• 5–8 years of progressive experience in distribution, logistics, or supply chain operations
• Minimum 2–3 years in a supervisory or managerial capacity leading a warehouse/distribution team
• Direct experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, FMCG, or medical device distribution — strongly preferred
• Proven knowledge of GDP guidelines and UAE regulatory requirements (MoHAP, DHA, DOH)
• Experience managing cold-chain products and temperature-controlled storage environments — a significant advantage
• Track record of managing third-party logistics providers and carrier relationships in the UAE

Skills & Competencies
• Strong operational leadership with the ability to manage both people and processes effectively
• Solid understanding of warehouse operations, inventory management, and last-mile logistics
• Proficient in WMS, TMS, and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar)
• Excellent analytical skills — able to interpret operational data and drive decisions from KPIs
• High attention to detail with a compliance-first mindset
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across all levels
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Valid UAE driving license — preferred

Languages
• English — fluent (required)
• Arabic — an advantage

About Expertise Recruitment

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗶𝗱- 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆, 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲. 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀, 𝗦𝗠𝗘𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝘀:

• Diverse Industry Expertise

• Access to a Wide Talent Pool

• No Up-Front Fees

• Competitive and Transparent Pricing

• Free Replacement Guarantee

• Client Testimonials Available

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀: Optimize your hiring process with expert support. Submit your vacancies here, and let us find the right fit for you:

http://www.expertiserecruitment.com/employers/

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀: Take the next step in your career. You can send your CV by email to cv@expetiserecruitment.com or browse our jobs and apply online at http://jobs.expertiserecruitment.com/.

Industry

HR & Recruiting

Company Size

11-50 employees

Headquarters

Beirut, LB

Year Founded

2009

Website

expertiserecruitment.com

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