Industrial Distribution

Program Description

The Industrial Distribution Major

  • Industrial Distribution involves a wide range of activities including the selling, distribution, customer service, purchasing, inventory control and warehouse or branch management of industrial products. Career opportunities are available in each of these specialties, both in the Fargo Moorhead area and throughout the country. 

  • Current estimates of the value of industrial distribution in the U.S. economy range from $3.5 trillion to $4 trillion, and these jobs impact every sector of our lives. 

  • ID majors graduate from MSUM with a number of career options. 

  • Those who enter technical sales and marketing sell products and provide specialized knowledge and advice to their customers.

  • Operations managers oversee a facility’s workforce, materials, and equipment to meet production and shipping schedules while maintaining product quality, plant efficiency, customer service needs, and a favorable working environment. 

  • Quality assurance specialists coordinate the overall design and maintenance of activities related to quality aspects of distribution, such as inspection, testing and sampling. 

  • Materials managers plan and control distribution from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished products-assuring that the right materials are in the right place, at the right time, in the right amount, and at the right cost. 

  • Branch managers have a working knowledge of every aspect of the distribution business and possess a talent for planning, integrating diverse activities, managing money, and working with people. 

    Pam McGee, Assistant Professor, Industrial Technology, mcgeepa@mnstate.edu or 218.477.2466 for details

    Placement is excellent and opportunities for growth and advancement outstanding.

Internships Required:
Through industry cooperation, formal instruction is supplemented with a practicum conducted on site with a host business, helping our ID students learn the necessities for successful careers in distribution and manufacturing.