This week I’ve been thinking and having a few conversations about whether I was right to look for role away from the 3PL setting that I used to in exchange for a hard hat and hivis from head to ankle.
Before redundancy rendered me unemployed, I was good manager. My last role I started as a Warehouse Manager, and on day one I was faced with a horrible incident involving multiple employees, including Supervisors. I became Logistics Operations Manager, was 1 month from my Operator CPC course (my choice to help me support my Tansport Manager more).
The last few months, since I’ve felt the ‘squeeze’ financially, I’ve thought a lot about whether I should have gone to another 3PL provider or to construction logistics.
Had I not have gone to construction, I’d not have had either of the two accidents that put me down. But, had I not gone to construction I wouldn’t have discovered I had a squatter inside my femur.
I loved every minute of my time in logistics. I was good at it, and according a few people ‘great to work for.’ I tried to be fair. No doubt more than a few people think the opposite to that. 9 people just off the top of my head.
8 of those went out in the first few months of my last few 3PL job.
The last 1 was a kid who couldn’t follow instructions that were in place for peoples safety (not using stabilisers when booming out to full stick, booming over a pedestrian walkway when it’s open, but most importantly disobeying a ‘stop’ instruction and nearly running his boss (me) over. A video a few weeks later proved I was right to get rid.
Whether you’re a Manager (Logistics, Warehouse, Transport, etc.) or a Forklift Operator, or Warehouse or Logistics Operative you matter.
I worked my way up from Forklift Op at 18, to Team Leader, Supervisor, Assessor, Manager, Operations Manager. But none of that matters now I’m operating a wheelchair, apparently being on wheels means my skills and experiences acquired over decades don’t matter. Every day was a school day.
Having to lose 8 members of my last 3PL Warehouse because they were bullies, 1 of whom who went too far even for some of the group. Getting rid of him before lunch on day 1 didn’t make it easy for, they’d been empowered by their previous manager who told their victim it was “just banter.”
After taking care of the bullies, and empowering their victim enough that she became one of the best Team Leaders I ever had work for me, I took that warehouse and together we smashed the KPI’s and built a great atmosphere. As OM I led us to gain a massive contract extension with 60-70% pallet uplift.
I project managed an extension & loading Dock refurb, used the uplift & extension to make the case for new MHE and WMS. All the construction and refurb works, the equipment & WMS, and everyone trained, all on time and under budget, and got my team a pay rise.
I can’t walk anymore, but I can lead and my experiences should matter. If you want a Warehosue or Ops Manager, drop me a message, let’s talk.
Equipment Operator - LC Waikiki
3moI would love to join you, maybe one day fate will bring us together, great environment, great country, great brand 🙏🏻