Last updated on Jul 18, 2024

Here's how you can maximize productivity by optimizing inventory managers' work schedules.

Inventory management is a critical component of a successful business, ensuring that the right products are available at the right time without tying up too much capital in stock. However, the productivity of your inventory management can be significantly affected by how you schedule your inventory managers' work. Optimizing their schedules can lead to better inventory control, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. It's not just about when they work, but also how their tasks are prioritized during their shifts. By considering peak times, staff strengths, and task prioritization, you can create a work schedule that maximizes productivity and efficiency.

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1 Sync Schedules

Aligning the schedules of inventory managers with peak demand periods is essential. By analyzing sales data, you can identify when your inventory is most likely to fluctuate and schedule managers accordingly. This ensures that during high-demand periods, you have experienced staff on hand to manage restocking, order processing, and inventory checks. It's also important to consider the timing of deliveries from suppliers and schedule your managers to be on-site to oversee this crucial step in inventory management.

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Michael Bohannon

Tread Finishing at Mannington
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In my experience and opinion, I think it’s also important to have at least one manager take the lead. That way it will keep everything moving in an orderly fashion. Create teams for certain jobs. Once the inventory arrives, everyone knows their assigned jobs and can go straight to work. Completing the task at hand. Having a check list of the inventory is a plus. Most people do inventory by computer or scanner, but I find it more straightforward if done by hand. It may take longer but I feel it’s more efficient and accurate.

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2 Task Balance

Balancing the workload among inventory managers is key to preventing burnout and maintaining high productivity levels. Ensure that tasks are evenly distributed according to each manager's skills and experience. This might mean scheduling more complex tasks, like forecasting and data analysis, during quieter periods so managers can focus without interruption. Conversely, routine tasks such as stock checks can be scheduled during busier times when these activities can be integrated with other responsibilities.

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Michael Bohannon

Tread Finishing at Mannington
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We start after our morning meeting at 9am. Then at lunchtime (11:30 or 12). Shift change at 3pm. And at 5pm. And it’s done with different people and not necessarily at those times. That is just the schedule. It breaks it up so if one person ends up having to do it , they won’t have to all at once. Which hasn’t been the case. We have split the mill up into 3rds to make it easier.

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3 Flexibility First

Incorporating flexibility into work schedules can greatly enhance productivity. Inventory demands can be unpredictable, so having the ability to adjust schedules quickly in response to unexpected changes is invaluable. This flexibility can also extend to allowing managers to swap shifts or take on different tasks based on real-time needs. Empowering your managers with this level of autonomy can lead to a more engaged and responsive inventory management team.

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4 Tech Integration

Utilizing technology to optimize scheduling can save time and reduce errors. There are software solutions available that can automate many aspects of scheduling, taking into account variables such as employee availability, skill sets, and historical sales data. By leveraging these tools, you can create more efficient schedules that adapt to the dynamic nature of inventory management, freeing up managers to focus on their core responsibilities.

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5 Continuous Training

Investing in continuous training for your inventory managers is crucial for productivity. As they become more skilled in using inventory management systems and understanding the nuances of your business's inventory needs, they can work more efficiently. Schedule regular training sessions during slower periods to ensure that all managers are up to date with the latest practices and technologies, which can help them manage their time and tasks more effectively.

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Michael Bohannon

Tread Finishing at Mannington
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I believe if you had to scan everything out in and of the location, you would cut the down the on the lost inventory. It would help on the reordering process. It would help keep track of the product within the warehouse during the process. It would help keep track of the product after it ships. And it would help track the product once it is received. So continuous training would be a plus.

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6 Feedback Loop

Establishing a feedback loop with your inventory managers regarding their schedules can lead to improvements in productivity. Encourage them to provide input on what works well and what doesn't in their schedules. This feedback can be invaluable in making adjustments that benefit both the managers and the business. Regularly reviewing and refining schedules based on this feedback ensures that the scheduling process remains dynamic and responsive to the needs of both your staff and your business.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can maximize productivity by optimizing inventory managers' work schedules.

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Sync Schedules

2 Task Balance

3 Flexibility First

4 Tech Integration

5 Continuous Training

6 Feedback Loop

7 Here’s what else to consider

Inventory Management

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Here's how you can maximize productivity by optimizing inventory managers' work schedules.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Sync Schedules

2 Task Balance

3 Flexibility First

4 Tech Integration

5 Continuous Training

6 Feedback Loop

7 Here’s what else to consider

Inventory Management

Rate this article

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