Sharing job and career experiences through discussion & participation

Warehouse and Operations as a Career
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Sharing job and career experiences through discussion & participation
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Recent Episodes

June 18, 2026
The Career Hidden in Plain Sight
<p>Hello everyone, and welcome back to Warehouse and Operations as a Career. Over the last several years we’ve discussed dozens and dozens of opportunities in warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, and logistics. We’ve talked about forklift operators, order selectors, recruiters, dispatchers, transportation managers, supervisors, safety professionals, operations leaders, and many of the global supply chain positions. Today I thought we’d talk about one of the positions or career paths that, well, isn’t thought about much but without it, simply put, things would grind to a halt!</p> <p>And that’s Building Maintenance. The people who keep the facility running. The men and women who make sure the lights come on, the dock doors open, the HVAC systems cool and heat the buildings and keep our coolers and freezers cold, the plumbing works, and the equipment keeps operating. Without them, nothing else happens. And the amazing thing is many of these careers begin with the simplest tasks imaginable. Changing a light bulb. I’m Marty and let’s talk about it today.</p> <p>When most people start in a warehouse environment, they may enter as a General Labor associate. Maybe we’re unloading trailers, stacking pallets, cleaning work areas or even assisting with counting inventory or any of the 50 other tasks that need help every shift. We’re learning about attendance, safety rules and procedures, and expectations. We’re learning what it means to be part of a team.</p> <p>Managers start noticing people who like fixing things. The employee who notices a broken door handle or a slow roll up door. That associate who reports a leaking pipe. The team member who volunteers to help move equipment. The person who wants to know how things work. Those individuals often find themselves helping the maintenance departments. And that’s where a completely different career journey can begin.</p> <p>Many facilities have what is commonly called a Utility Associate. Sometimes they’re called facility assistants. Maintenance helpers, maintenance utility technicians. The title doesn’t matter much. And the responsibilities are usually very similar. Tasks might include things like replacing light bulbs, painting walls, cleaning dock plates, changing air filters, maybe even minor repairs on equipment, or organizing maintenance supplies, even assisting contractors, and helping the company technicians perform preventive maintenance. These aren’t glamorous jobs. But they’re valuable jobs. And more importantly, they’re learning opportunities. Every task teaches something, every repair becomes a lesson, with every day becoming a classroom.</p> <p>One of the first skills many maintenance associates begin learning is basic electrical work. I’m not talking about becoming an electrician overnight. Of course, electrical work requires training, certifications, and safety knowledge. But maintenance associates often start learning how lighting systems operate, how to replace ballast and LED conversions. Circuit identification, Lockout/Tagout procedures, and electrical safety principles. They begin understanding why power flows the way it does, they learn troubleshooting and how to diagnosis problems. They learn how to identify problems instead of simply reporting them. That’s a valuable skill in any profession.</p> <p>The same thing happens with plumbing. Many maintenance technicians start by helping experienced professionals. They learn how water systems operate, how valves function and how drains are maintained, things like leak identification, and fixture replacement.</p> <p>Then comes one of the most in-demand skill sets in many nations today. HVAC. Or Heating. Ventilation. Air Conditioning. As maintenance associates gain experience, many employers will sponsor training opportunities. Some associates pursue certifications on their own. Before long, they’re troubleshooting rooftop units. Maintaining industrial climate systems. Diagnosing airflow issues. And with those skills comes increased earning potential.</p> <p>What I find fascinating about maintenance careers is how they combine multiple trades into one profession. Electrical. Mechanical. Plumbing. HVAC. Carpentry. Safety. Even project management, vendor relations, and budgeting. It’s one of the most diverse skill sets in the entire facility. And I’ve found that many maintenance professionals continue developing themselves through formal training. Things like OSHA certifications, Lockout/Tagout training, HVAC certifications, EPA refrigerant certifications, electrical safety training, welding certifications, boiler certifications, preventive maintenance programs, and facility management certifications. Each certification adds another tool to the toolbox.</p> <p>And employers notice. One thing I’ve observed throughout my career is that maintenance professionals become incredibly valuable because they save organizations money. Imagine a conveyor system goes down. Production stops. Orders stop. Shipping grinds to a halt. A skilled maintenance technician can diagnose the issue, repair it, and get operations moving again. That’s value. The ability to solve problems creates opportunities. And, as we’ve learned, organizations reward problem solvers.</p> <p>As technicians gain experience, I’ve seen many advance into leadership roles. Maintenance Lead and on to Maintenance Supervisor or Facilities Supervisor. Even Maintenance Manager and Facilities Manager or Regional Maintenance Manager and Director of Facilities positions. These leaders may oversee multiple facilities, maintenance budgets, preventive maintenance programs, and manage vendor relationships, compliance initiatives, construction projects, and safety programs. They’re no longer changing light bulbs, there making strategic decisions and planning future improvements, helping organizations operate efficiently.</p> <p>Now the path isn’t always direct or happening in a straight line. I’ve witnessed people begin as janitors, as forklift operators. Some come from manufacturing or even the fleet or transportation environments. What matters most is curiosity and the desire to learn. The willingness to ask questions and to volunteer for opportunities.</p> <p>As you know by now, I’ve always believed that careers are built one skill at a time. Very few people just wake up one morning and becomes a Director. Nobody starts as an expert. No one began their career knowing everything. Success is usually much less exciting than people imagine. I think it’s learning one thing today. Another thing tomorrow. And one more thing next week. Then repeating that process for years.</p> <p>If you’re listening today and currently working as a general labor associate, here’s a quick exercise. Look around your facility. Notice who repairs things and who troubleshoots equipment, who maintains dock doors, who works on HVAC systems, who keeps the building running. Then introduce yourself. Ask questions and Show interest. You may discover a career path you never knew was there.</p> <p>And if you’re already in maintenance, keep investing in yourself. Take the next class and earn the next certification and the next skill. Because maintenance is one of those professions where learning never stops. technology changes, equipment changes, and our buildings change. The people who continue learning continue growing. Saying all that reminds me of a much earlier episode from back in 2016, episode 11, where we visited with a gentleman named Mike that pretty much lived the life we’ve discussed here today. I’d urgh you to go check out what he had to say way back then.</p> <p>Anyway, so this week, I challenge you to look beyond the obvious career paths. Sometimes opportunity isn’t driving a forklift. It isn’t sitting in an office or managing a department. Sometimes opportunity is standing on a ladder changing a light bulb and realizing you’ve just taken the first step toward becoming the person responsible for an entire facility. And that’s a pretty incredible journey.</p> <p>Until next time, remember that warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, and operations aren’t just jobs. They’re careers. And every career starts with a single opportunity. And we can make our own opportunities.</p> <p>Well, I’ve got to go move some freight myself now. Thanks for listening in today, and hey, y’all be safe out there, our friends and family are wanting to see us after our shift.</p>

June 11, 2026
The Job Is Available. Are You?
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Yep, there is a gap between available jobs and job ready candidates. There are jobs available, but employers are becoming much more selective about who they hire. A few years ago, many facilities were simply trying to fill positions. Today, employers are looking for candidates who can bring reliability, flexibility, safety awareness, and productivity on their first day.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">What many of us applicants don’t realize is that employers are often evaluating far more than just experience. I’m Marty here with Warehouse and Operations as a Career. So let’s talk about that.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">I recently was enjoying lunch with a long time mentor and the subject of hiring came up. He made a point I had to ponder on for a moment. He commented that although training was expensive, and of course experience is important, he had learned or felt like, in todays environment, things like attendance history, reliable transportation, the ability to be flexible with shift times, and a strong safety mindset along with a wiliness to cross train, and at least average communication skills were what he was placing more weight on these days. And he made it a point to comment on, what he’d look for first was a stable work history. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The challenge for us applicants becomes, I can do the job is no longer enough. Employers are asking, can I depend on you to do the job consistently?</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">And some other hurdles for us, or a few things I thought of start off with those pesky Applicant tracking systems or ATS. Many applicants never speak to a recruiter because their application gets filtered before a human ever sees it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">And wage expectations vs market rates. </span><span data-contrast="auto">Applicants often see social media posts about higher wages, while many entry level positions are paying less than expected. And I’m seeing more s</span><span data-contrast="auto">killed equipment requirements. </span><span data-contrast="auto">Many facilities now want forklift, reach truck, electric pallet jack, clamp truck, or inventory experience, even for positions that were once considered entry-level. And c</span><span data-contrast="auto">ommunication challenges. I hear this every day, and I think both sides are probably quilty, but </span><span data-contrast="auto">Recruiters frequently comment on the struggle to reach applicants who don’t answer calls. Have full voicemail boxes. And don’t respond to texts or emails. Then we have c</span><span data-contrast="auto">ompetition from better candidates. </span><span data-contrast="auto">When ten applicants apply for a position, employers often choose the one with better attendance, longer tenure, and the better interviewing skills. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The good news is that the hurdle is also the opportunity. A candidate who shows up on time, returns calls, has a positive attitude, accepts coaching, prioritizes safety, is willing to learn additional equipment can often outperform applicants with years more experience.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">As we’ve discussed many times on WAOC, the industry still offers tremendous career opportunities. The challenge isn’t necessarily finding a job, it’s demonstrating that you’re the person an employer can trust with the opportunity.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">So, if there’s applicants looking for work, and employers looking for workers, why are they not connecting? Well, I think the hiring game has changed. Twenty years ago, many warehouses and production facilities hired almost entirely on experience. Could you drive a forklift, pull an order, load a trailer, or operate a machine? If the answer was yes, there was a pretty good chance you’d get hired on the spot. Today, things are just different. Most employers are still looking for skills, but they’re looking for something else first. They’re looking for dependability. They’re looking for consistency. And they’re looking for people they can count on.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">I’ve sat across the table from hundreds, maybe thousands, of hiring managers throughout my career. And I can tell you something that might surprise applicants. Many managers would rather hire a dependable employee with less experience than an experienced employee there not sure can be counted on. Think about that for a moment. The employee who shows up every day, arrives on time, follows instructions, works safely, and wants to learn often becomes more valuable than the person with years of experience but poor attendance or a negative attitude.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Let’s talk about the first hurdle many applicants never even see. The Applicant Tracking System, or ATS. Years ago, an application landed directly on someone’s desk. Today, many applications are screened by software before a recruiter ever sees them. A computer may be reviewing your application before a human being does. Now, I’m not saying that’s good or bad. It’s just reality.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">If your work history is incomplete, if your resume doesn’t match the position, or if key information is missing, you may never make it to the interview stage. Many applicants think </span><span data-contrast="auto">nobody called me</span><i><span data-contrast="auto">. </span></i><span data-contrast="auto">The reality may be </span><span data-contrast="auto">nobody ever saw the application.</span><i><span data-contrast="auto"> </span></i><span data-contrast="auto">That’s why accuracy on our part matters. Taking an extra few minutes to complete an application correctly matters. And that’s why we should tailor our resumes to the position we’re applying for. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Now let’s talk about what employers are really seeking. Most people think employers hire labor. I don’t. I think employers hire reliability. Let’s say I have two candidates. Candidate A has five years of forklift experience. Candidate B has one year of forklift experience. Most people automatically assume Candidate A gets the job. What if Candidate A has changed jobs every three months and has attendance concerns and arrives late for the interview? But Candidate B has a solid work history, great references, and arrives fifteen minutes early? The decision suddenly becomes much harder. In fact, many employers will choose Candidate B. Because skills can be taught. Reliability is much harder to teach.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Here’s another challenge I see every day. Applicants submit applications. Recruiters call. Nobody answers. Recruiters text. No response. Recruiters email. No reply. A few days later, the applicant says n</span><span data-contrast="auto">obody contacted me.</span><i><span data-contrast="auto"> </span></i><span data-contrast="auto">Now, I’m not picking on anyone. But communication matters. If you’re actively looking for work, we need to answer our phone, check our voicemail and respond to texts. And watch our email. I’ve seen qualified candidates lose opportunities simply because another applicant responded first. Speed matters in recruiting. Especially in warehousing and manufacturing. Sometimes positions are filled within hours. Not days. Not weeks. Literally, just hours.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Transportation is often part of the interview before the interview. Can you reliably get to work? Can you make a 5:00 AM shift? Can you work overtime? Can you handle weekends when required? Employers understand that life happens. Cars break down. Traffic exists. Emergencies occur. But employers are also trying to determine whether attendance problems are likely to become a pattern. Remember attendance drives productivity. And productivity drives customer satisfaction. And customer satisfaction keeps facilities open and growing. Again, everything is connected.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Another thing I’m seeing is that Years ago, some facilities focused heavily on production. Today, safety and production must work together. Most employers are looking for candidates who understand safety expectations. They want associates who wear PPE correctly, follow procedures, report hazards, work safely around equipment, and take training seriously. The old mindset of </span><span data-contrast="auto">I’ve been doing this for twenty years</span><i><span data-contrast="auto"> </span></i><span data-contrast="auto">doesn’t impress many employers anymore. The new mindset is </span><span data-contrast="auto">I’ve been doing this for twenty years and I’m still learning</span><i><span data-contrast="auto">. </span></i><span data-contrast="auto">That’s the employee organizations want. Safety conscious employees protect themselves, their coworkers, and the company.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">And I think another hurdle for us is Technology. Today we have RF scanners, Warehouse Management Systems, voice picking systems, tablets, inventory software, electronic inspections and productivity tracking. Some applicants become nervous when they hear the word technology. And we can’t. All systems can be learned. The bigger issue is willingness I think. Employers aren’t necessarily looking for technology experts. Again, they’re looking for people willing to learn. A positive attitude toward technology often beats resistance every time.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">I think competition is stronger than ever. You’re not competing against the job. You’re competing against other applicants. Imagine ten people apply for the same position. Who gets the interview and the offer? Often, it’s the candidate who demonstrates better attendance better communication better attitude better stability better preparation. Notice that experience isn’t the only factor. Sometimes it isn’t even the most important factor. The candidate who prepares wins. The candidate who follows up and demonstrates professionalism wins.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">A recruiter told me last week. If I could sit every applicant down and share one message from employers, it would be this, we want to hire you. Think about that. Recruiters don’t wake up hoping positions stay open. Supervisors don’t want to work short staffed. Managers don’t enjoy running operations with vacancies. Everyone wants positions filled. But employers need confidence. Confidence that we’ll show up. Confidence that we plan on staying. Confidence that we’ll work safely and represent the organization well. That’s what they’re evaluating. Not just whether we can do the work. But whether they can trust us with the work.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">So, what can us applicants do? I think it’s simple. If we own it. We need to show up early. And we need to dress appropriately. If we’re interviewing as an equipment operator or selector, wear our steel or composite toe footwear. We have to answer our phone and return calls. The hiring agent may be making 50 calls, the next person may answer there’s. And its so important that we bring energy to interviews. And were honest about our experience. And demonstrate willingness to learn. Show our enthusiasm. Ask questions. Express interest in advancement. Employers love hearing things like </span><span data-contrast="auto">I’d like to learn more. I’d like to cross-train. I’d like to grow into a lead role someday.</span><i><span data-contrast="auto"> </span></i><span data-contrast="auto">Those statements communicate commitment. And like we’ve learned, commitment gets attention.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">As we wrap up today’s episode, I’d like to leave you with a challenge. If you’ve been applying for jobs and not getting results, don’t immediately assume there are no opportunities. Ask yourself a different question. Am I making it easy for an employer to hire me? Am I communicating effectively? Am I presenting myself professionally? Am I demonstrating reliability? Am I showing a willingness to learn?</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">It’s just a fact that in today’s world, employers are looking for more than experience. They’re looking for trust. They’re looking for consistency. They’re looking for commitment. The jobs are out there. The opportunities and careers are out there. Not to sound corny but the question isn’t always whether the job is available. The question is, </span><span data-contrast="auto">Are you available for the job?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Ok, we’re running over today so with all that I’ll say thank you for joining me today, and please share any thoughts on job opportunities with our Facebook group @whseops or our Instagram feed waocpodcast. Until next time, be safe, stay productive, and keep building your career.</span></p>

June 4, 2026
Learn the Language, Grow the Career
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Welcome back to Warehouse and Operations as a Career. I’m Marty and today I want to talk about something a listener brought up recently. They asked me, “Why don’t you just stick to explaining warehouse positions instead of all the other stuff that doesn’t make us more money?” Well, I guess that is a fair question. As We’ve discussed many times, and I believe this is more than just my opinion. Here’s the thing about warehousing, transportation, distribution, manufacturing, and the whole supply chain. Nothing stands alone. Every movement touches another movement. Every position affects another position. Every delay or error cost somebody time. And in my experience, every shortcut creates a problem somewhere else. And, not only do I believe, but I think I can show that the people who grow the farthest in this industry are usually the people who understand more than just their own task. That’s why we talk about everything, and why I try and get as many questions answered as possible. We can all learn something from all the experiences shared. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">On another note, kind of keeping with the theme of the day, I had a long time mentor, just this week say that the associate who learns the language of the operation becomes more valuable to the operation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">So today, I thought we’d have some fun with that idea by talking about something every warehouse, dispatcher, inventory clerk, transportation coordinator, recruiter, manager, and forklift operator and a couple of hundred other positions hear every day.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Acronyms. Being honest. The supply chain world LOVES acronyms. Sometimes it feels like people are speaking another language. A dispatcher says I Need POD on that LTL before DET hits, or customer’s asking for an ETA, and OS&D says there’s one QTR short. And the new employee standing there is thinking What in the world just happened? But once you understand the language, you start understanding the business. And understanding the business creates opportunity. So let’s break a few of them down today.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">POD. This one’s huge. POD simply means Proof of Delivery. It’s the signature, paperwork, photo, or electronic confirmation showing freight arrived where it was supposed to arrive. Without a POD, customers may refuse payment. Billing can stop. Claims can happen. That little signature? That’s money. It’s like a check. One missing POD can turn into hours of emails, phone calls, and frustration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The BOL or Bill of Laden. The BOL is basically the birth certificate of the shipment. It tells us what the freight is, where it’s going , who shipped it, who receives it , and how many pallets or cartons there are. Drivers carry it. Receivers check it. And dispatch tracks it. If the BOL is wrong, everything downstream can become wrong too. Again, everything touches everything.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">On to the ETA or the estimated time of arrival. Everybody wants the ETA. An inaccurate ETA affects staffing, dock schedules, unloaders, production planning, and customer satisfaction. One late truck can ripple through an entire building.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">PU and DEL. PU means Pickup. DEL means Delivery. Simple terms, but they move the entire transportation world. You’ll hear the PU is at 1400. And maybe read or hear DEL scheduled for tomorrow. And you don’t want to read or hear Missed PU. Or Late DEL. Those two tiny acronyms control millions of dollars in freight every single day.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Oh, these are common ones. FTL, TL and LTL. Now we’re getting into freight classifications. FTL or TL means Full Truckload or Truckload. That means one shipment basically fills the trailer. LTL means Less Than Truckload. That means multiple customers share trailer space. Why does this matter? Because of the freight handling changes. LTL freight gets touched more. More touches means more chances for damages. More planning, terminals being crossed and more scheduling. Understanding freight flow helps associates understand WHY all those processes we have to follow exist.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">STL or Spot Trailer Load. Now depending on the company, STL can mean different things, but many operations use it to describe a spotted trailer load or staged trailer movement. Spotters, yard dogs, dispatch, and shipping clerks all coordinate trailer movement to keep freight flowing. One missed trailer move can shut down a shipping lane.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Then OS&D. This acronym can ruin everybody’s day. OS&D means, over, short, and damaged. To a receiver that’ll mean too much product. Missing product. Or Broken product! This affects inventory, customer service, claims, transportation, receivers, selectors and loaders. One crushed pallet may not seem important on the dock floor</span><br /> <span data-contrast="auto">until you realize it can cost thousands of dollars.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Lets see, TONU or Truck Ordered Not Used. Transportation people cringe hearing this one. TONU means a truck was scheduled, showed up, and wasn’t needed. But the carrier is still going to expect his or her payment. Why? Remember all we’ve learned about transportation. A truck sitting parked still costs money.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">One we’re all getting used to is FSC, the fuel surcharge. Fuel affects everything. When diesel prices rise, FSC charges often rise too. That means transportation costs increase. And when transportation costs increase, product prices eventually increase. Again, everything touches everything.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Two more biggies, DET and D&H. DET means Detention. D&H means Detention and Handling. This happens when drivers sit too long waiting to load or unload. And let me tell you, drivers will charge you and they remember facilities that waste their time. A poorly managed dock damages relationships fast. And we as warehouse people probably know these next two. APPT and FCFS. APPT means Appointment. FCFS means First Come, First Serve. Many warehouses, especially the larger ones run by appointments. Others unload trailers in the order in which they arrive. Understanding which system a facility uses affects scheduling, staffing, and transportation planning.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">And here are 3 system ones. TMS, WMS, and YMS. Now we’re talking technology. TMS is the Transportation Management System, and I’m sure us warehouse folks know WMS, the Warehouse Management System, and a little lesser known system is the YMS, Yard Management System. You’ll see these in high traffic operations. These three systems track freight, our inventory, trailer locations, our productivity, shipping schedules, receiving , even our labor hours and cost. Really pretty much what ever information we feed into them! Years ago, many warehouses used clipboards and paper. Today? Data drives our operations. And the associate willing to learn systems becomes extremely valuable. A forklift operator that understands WMS screens and RF scanners may eventually move into inventory control or leadership. Knowledge adds up.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">ASN and EDI. ASN means Advanced Shipping Notice. That’s electronic information sent before freight arrives and EDI means Electronic Data Interchange. Computers talking to computers. Purchase orders, invoices, shipment notifications, receiving confirmations, all moving electronically behind the scenes. Most associates never see it. But it’s happening constantly.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">OK, this one most of us know. A PO or Purchase Order. A PO is permission to buy product. Without a PO, many companies won’t even receive the freight or their order. That one document controls inventory flow, accounting, receiving, and purchasing.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Here’s another on us production people know. KPI or Key Performance Indicator. KPIs are measurements. Cases per hour. Pallets per hour. On-time shipping. Inventory accuracy. Dock turn times. You’ve heard me say What gets measured gets managed. Warehouses or operations survive on measurements. And associates that understand KPIs understand how and why businesses make decisions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Next we have RDC, DC, and MC. These are facility types. RDC is for Regional Distribution Center. DC is Distribution Center. MC is Manufacturing Center. Different responsibilities. Different workflows. But all connected together in the supply chain.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Now here’s a few for the transportation folks. ELD, GPS, DOT, and HOS. As we know, transportation runs on compliance. The ELD is an Electronic Logging Device. Remember keeping our paper logs? GPS, Global Positioning System. DOT or Department of Transportation, and HOS stands for Hours of Service. These systems and regulations track Driver hours. Safety, Speed, Routes, and Compliance. Transportation isn’t just driving a truck anymore. It’s technology, planning, regulation, and accountability.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Keeping things on the road. We have NMFC and SCAC. Now we’re getting deep into freight language. NMFC means National Motor Freight Classification. SCAC means Standard Carrier Alpha Code. These help identify carriers and classify freight for shipping and pricing purposes. Again, Stuff most people never think about. But somebody in the operation has to understand it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">And BCO, FOB, and CFR. BCO often means Beneficial Cargo Owner. FOB means Free On Board. CFR means Cost and Freight. These terms matter heavily in international and large-scale shipping. They determine responsibility. Who pays for freight. Who owns the risk and where liability transfers. And one misunderstanding here can become extremely expensive.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Now some people may hear all these acronyms and think “Well, I don’t need to know all that. I just drive a forklift.” Maybe today you do. But tomorrow? You might have an opportunity train new hires. Lead a shift. Help coordinate the outbound shift. Move into the inventory side of op’s, maybe even become a dispatcher, or running transportation or supervise operations. Remember how we’re always talking about learning and growing? The people who grow in this industry usually become students of the industry. Not just students of their task. And, that’s why we talk about “all this other stuff.” I believe every term, every process, every department, every movement is another piece of understanding as to how the machine works. And once you understand the machine, you become more valuable to the machine.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Warehousing and transportation are not simple jobs anymore. They’ve grown. Technology. People. Safety. Metrics. Compliance. Movement. Communication. And that growth is a good thing. Every one of us touches another part of the process. And I feel, that’s why knowledge matters. Not because every acronym instantly puts money in your pocket. But because understanding creates opportunities that eventually do. The more of the language you understand the more rooms you can walk into confidently. And confidence backed by knowledge? That’s where careers begin separating themselves. The people who understand the whole operation eventually outgrow the people who only understand one task. And that, my friends is why we talk about all of it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Well, there’s two more cents worth of my opinions. We do talk about a lot more than warehouse positions, but, I feel, and can pretty much attest that, if we learn it all, hang out with those from other departments, learn that task before ours and after ours, we will earn more and in many different ways. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Thanks for stopping in again today, and above all, remember safety is our number 1 priority. We want to be doing this a long time!</span></p>
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