Distribution Strategy Manager

We're Hiring: Distribution Strategy ManagerLocation: United Arab Emirates (Remote)Employment Type: Full-TimeExperience Level: Mid-Level to SeniorWork Arrangement: Fully RemoteAbout UsWe are a globally focused organization committed to building efficient, scalable, and customer-focused distribution networks across multiple markets, channels, products, and operating environments.Our teams collaborate across Supply Chain, Logistics, Procurement, Sales, Finance, Operations, Warehousing, Transportation, Commercial, and regional stakeholders to optimize the movement of products from source to customer while balancing service, cost, capacity, and growth objectives.The RoleWe are seeking an experienced Distribution Strategy Manager to lead distribution strategy, network optimization, channel planning, logistics transformation, and distribution performance management across markets and operating models.The ideal candidate will combine strategic thinking, commercial awareness, operational expertise, and analytical capability to design distribution models that improve customer service, reduce costs, increase network efficiency, and support long-term business growth.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and implement distribution strategies aligned with corporate, commercial, and supply chain objectives.Design distribution models covering warehouses, distribution centers, stores, customers, channels, and markets.Evaluate distribution networks, flows, capacities, service levels, and operating costs.Develop long-term distribution strategies to support business growth and market expansion.Assess opportunities for network consolidation, expansion, relocation, or redesign.Analyze customer demand, order profiles, geographic coverage, delivery requirements, and channel characteristics.Optimize product flows from suppliers and manufacturing sites through distribution centers to customers.Develop distribution strategies for retail, wholesale, e-commerce, direct-to-customer, and other channels.Establish distribution-center roles, inventory positioning, service territories, and fulfillment models.Evaluate warehouse capacity, throughput, utilization, labor requirements, and operational constraints.Develop transportation and delivery strategies in partnership with Logistics and Transportation teams.Assess trade-offs between service levels, transportation costs, inventory investment, and facility costs.Develop business cases for distribution-network investments and transformation initiatives.Conduct network modeling, scenario analysis, and cost-to-serve assessments.Evaluate alternative distribution configurations based on demand growth, customer locations, and supply constraints.Partner with Supply Chain teams to align distribution strategy with inventory and replenishment plans.Collaborate with Procurement on logistics suppliers, third-party distribution partners, and strategic sourcing initiatives.Work with Finance to develop distribution budgets, investment cases, cost models, and financial forecasts.Partner with Sales and Commercial teams to understand customer requirements and service expectations.Support market-entry strategies by designing appropriate distribution and fulfillment models.Develop distribution strategies for new products, new locations, new channels, and major commercial launches.Identify opportunities to improve delivery speed, order fulfillment, network flexibility, and customer experience.Establish distribution standards, governance frameworks, operating principles, and decision-making processes.Develop and monitor distribution performance dashboards and management reporting.Define service-level targets, cost benchmarks, capacity requirements, and network performance standards.Monitor distribution costs, delivery performance, capacity utilization, and service outcomes.Identify distribution risks and develop mitigation strategies for disruptions, capacity shortages, supplier issues, and demand volatility.Lead distribution transformation and continuous-improvement programs.Evaluate automation, digital logistics platforms, analytics, AI, and other technologies that can improve distribution performance.Support warehouse automation and fulfillment modernization initiatives.Assess third-party logistics and outsourced distribution models against internal operating alternatives.Lead strategic reviews of distribution partners and logistics service providers.Develop recommendations for improving network resilience, flexibility, scalability, and sustainability.Conduct regular distribution-network reviews and identify improvement opportunities.Ensure distribution strategies support applicable regulatory, safety, quality, and sustainability requirements.Develop executive-level presentations covering strategy, network performance, investment priorities, and transformation opportunities.Coordinate cross-functional teams to implement approved distribution strategies.Establish implementation roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, resources, and risk-management plans.Track strategic initiatives and ensure delivery against agreed objectives and timelines.Coach and support team members involved in distribution strategy and network planning.Key Performance IndicatorsDistribution cost per unit/orderCost-to-serveOn-time deliveryOrder fulfillment ratePerfect-order rateDistribution-center utilizationWarehouse capacity utilizationTransportation utilizationDelivery lead timeOrder cycle timeNetwork service-level achievementDistribution cost as a percentage of salesInventory days within distribution networkStock availabilityDistribution network productivityCustomer service performanceLogistics partner performanceCapacity planning accuracyDistribution forecast accuracyNetwork savings deliveredReturn on distribution investmentDistribution transformation benefitsNetwork resilience and risk reductionSustainability performanceStrategic initiative completion rateIdeal CandidateThe successful candidate should have strong experience in distribution strategy, supply chain strategy, logistics, network planning, fulfillment, transportation, or operations strategy, preferably within retail, e-commerce, consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, or other complex international environments.The candidate should demonstrate:Strong understanding of distribution networks, logistics operations, warehousing, transportation, and fulfillment.Experience developing and implementing distribution or supply chain strategies.Strong network-design and scenario-modeling capabilities.Experience evaluating distribution centers, warehouses, transportation models, and service territories.Strong financial and commercial understanding of logistics cost, inventory, service, and investment trade-offs.Experience developing business cases and presenting strategic recommendations to senior leadership.Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex operational and financial data.Experience with supply chain planning, ERP, warehouse-management, transportation-management, or analytics systems.Strong project and program management capabilities.Experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives.Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills.Ability to translate strategic objectives into practical implementation plans.Experience working with third-party logistics providers and external partners.Strong understanding of operational risk, resilience, and business-continuity principles.Experience working with international and distributed teams.Strong proficiency in English; additional languages are advantageous.A continuous-improvement mindset with a strong focus on measurable business outcomes.