The Warehouse Manager
Too many times recently I’ve entered a client’s facility and quickly identify the warehouse manager is either no longer in control or really never was in control of the operation. The position of warehouse manager should be thought of with the same relevance as sales or marketing, but too frequently companies are satisfied to hire or promote from the ranks an individual who doesn’t have a chance to deliver the results the company desires.
In the case of the manager no longer in control, many times the growth of the company has exceeded the growth of the individual. Perhaps this occurs at times because the hiring party truly does not know or understand how to identify an effective warehouse manager; or perhaps they are just trying to get by on the cheap. I advise these people to stop and consider what the warehouse manager controls: labor dollars, quality of service, on time service, inventory (your largest asset on the balance sheet), and your building. Why would you settle for cheap and under qualified?
The other example of growth of the business outpacing a once satisfactory warehouse manager is just as alarming. The company has to invest in the warehouse manager’s growth just as they prepare sales and marketing leaders to successfully handle growth. Invest in your warehouse manager, and hire the best talent you can afford. Do not be intimidated by talent and do not fall to the trap of, “he/she is overqualified and will not stay”. Even if that is true, you don’t have to train an over qualified candidate so there is no lost investment—sit back and enjoy the results.
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Gary Conrad is vice president of F. Curtis Barry & Company, a multichannel operations and fulfillment consulting firm with expertise in multichannel systems, warehouse, call center, inventory, and benchmarking; Learn more online at: http://www.fcbco.com.
From what I read of your company, I think you people are doing an exceptional job, you have your thaughts and ideas well laid out. I have no doubt that companies that are looking to hire your type of services, will greatly benefit from your knowledge and experience in warehouse management.