Operations Manager - Mark Shirley

Distribtuion is sometimes a a tricky job. You ship multiple combinations of seven and a half thousand products to 400 stores, some twice-daily from a fully automated Distribution Centre operating 2 shifts and employing over 300 people, and the only time you hear from a store is when they’re a battery short of their order!

Mark is the epitome of professionalism on this point, but although he’s well aware it goes with the territory, he’s also keen to make sure that this doesn’t create an inward looking culture within the DC and also that the profile and importance of efficient distribution is raised within the business overall. It’s perhaps an advantage that the Washford DC is right next door to our Head Office in Redditch, but it’s equally important that Mark has the passion and credibility to make the business case for an increasingly agile, flexible operation that will increase competitiveness on the high street and in the retail parks.

Part of this is due to the way the business has changed in the last few years. Over the three years Mark has been here, he has seen a step-change in the atmosphere in the DC. More participative, better decision making and more transparent communications across the board, but also an environment where people feel thay can challenge decisions as long as they have some real input too – this is great for the development of his teams.

He’s also keen to maintain his personal and professional development too and has just started a Masters in Logistics which Halfords is sponsoring. It’s another example of the business being keen to back good ideas – his.