Within distribution, there are Warehouse Operations on 4 sites; one of which is solely dedicated to the processing of ‘returns’ of books which a particular retailer has failed to sell. The operational process comprises 3 departments: Logistics, Distribution and Warehouse. Working in an integrated manner, they are collectively responsible for the receipt and storage of stock, the accurate picking and packing of orders and coordinating delivery to the customer. The team is very customer-focused and is committed to finding the most effective and efficient solutions to supply chain challenges. Other valuable services offered to the customer and publisher clients include stickering on books and shrink-wrapping.
Working in Warehouse Operations requires a logical, methodical and organised approach. The environment is often pressured, with a demanding work flow which operates to very tight deadlines. As this function is responsible for the customer actually receiving the end product, a strong customer focus is required. A role within Warehouse Operations requires a large degree of interaction with other areas of the business and therefore it is essential to build a strong understanding of the organisation and be able to communicate effectively with other functions.
Having completed my A-levels in 1984 I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career. In a chance conversation at a darts match I was offered two week’s warehouse work at Tiptree Book Services which I accepted as I lived in Tiptree. Twenty three years later I am still at TBS, now at a purpose built distribution centre in Frating.I was surprised to find that warehouse operations were so varied and I took every opportunity in the early years to learn as much as I could. My desire for wider knowledge, my natural analytical approach and inquisitive nature afforded me an opportunity to represent the warehouse in a cross-functional team looking at the feasibility of a bonus scheme. I felt humbled amongst a team of Directors and Managers but frequently worked through the night to help implement a bonus scheme, and then a second stage scheme, both resulting in a win-win for company and employee. As part of this process I learnt an awful lot about every area of the warehouse and importantly about how to deal with people.
I was offered a warehouse supervisory position at the age of twenty two (much younger than my peer group). This was very challenging from a managing people perspective but an excellent learning curve. My career has since progressed through various warehouse, operations, inventory, planning and project management roles to the point where I am now Head of Operations, Planning and Logistics. My current role touches on many different areas of the business, as well as with external suppliers and clients, and it is the variety of challenges that it brings that makes it so enjoyable.
I really enjoy looking at processes from end to end and strongly believe that successful organisations break down traditional departmental barriers and work in an integrated fashion. This belief is integral to the Continuous Improvement process that we implemented at TBS in 2004. I sit on the CI Steering Group as Chairman and feel hugely motivated when people from different parts of the business come up with improvement ideas. People are the lifeblood of any company. I love working with people and both my position and C.I enable me to do work with people on a wide scale.
At the age of 41 my desire for further knowledge and responsibility has not dwindled, and I was very grateful to the company for sponsoring me to complete a Masters Degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. My studies have exposed me to best-practice from other industries and have helped me develop my role further. I continue to be interested in wider supply chain integration and now enjoy working closely with publishers and Distribution partners in Wellingborough and Grantham.
I firmly believe that the Management team within Distribution is the strongest it has been in over two decades with the company, and I feel very proud to be a small part of that team. The markets are changing, technology developments are continuous and it is a time of mergers and acquisitions so who knows what the next challenge will be. What we do know is that there will be further challenges – bring them on.