Operations Management - Industrial Placement Review

Working a mix of different shifts each day is different. But the objectives remain the same, ensuring outloads are completed on time and as effectively and efficiently as possible. Running a warehouse shift, you are overseeing many operatives and areas at a time. Throughout the shift I ensure the operatives I manage are hitting their pick rates and make decisions to ensure targets and financial prods are met.

Through my placement year I have developed numerous personal skills through managing my own team and a high volume operation, in effective and quick decision making and problem solving. Confidence in communication and management styles have been the most influential thing I have taken from this year, in having to motivate others to achieve your own targets and execute the daily operation, there are so many transferable skills this placement has given me.

Absolutely, often being the only warehouse manager on shift each day I was responsible for the whole warehouse team operation with up to 40 people on shift, with responsibility for the pick and outload operation of our stock. In turn therefore for the safety of all warehouse operatives and for the financial turnout of each daily warehouse operation to ensure all targets are met and customer orders are met on time.

I receive a lot of on site support through shadowing and informal training regarding my role and the operation, as well as regular support and development meeting to track and improve my development at Gist against their values and targets. Formally I have received health and safety training. Overall the management training formally can be improved, and it is a very self driven role which has been very good for learning and development.

At my site the atmosphere is very friendly and supportive on the whole with everyone understanding the goals and working as a team to achieve targets, being at a smaller Gist site it was very easy to engage with everyone and understand each other even despite some language barriers. The pressure can be very demanding which can take a toll on the atmosphere around the warehouse but the friendly and inclusive culture remains.

I have enjoyed the experience and the development opportunities it has given me, especially from having the opportunity in management to run a whole operation and team by myself. Although the lack of operational support was limited i have come through the year having successfully run my own team and added value to my site and my career. The culture and opportunities at working with many different people in a new industry has been enjoyable.

Yes

Be open to learning at every opportunity and be flexible, you have to show how you are able to lead others and solve problems, but in a friendly and approachable way. Proving a track record of delivering results and being self motivated is the major thing.