Strong warehouse management is a crucial ingredient to success within the unique demands of a contract manufacturing environment. With a continually revolving inventory and a fast paced production demand for hundreds of components, warehouse organization and management becomes the heart of a smooth manufacturing process. It involves a balancing act that ChemRite’s Warehouse Manager, Greg Wolken, has steadied through skilled direction, experienced insight and exceptional organizational skills.
Greg is a Wisconsin native, raised in a Milwaukee area suburb. He graduated from Germantown High School and went on to attend UWWC, where he graduated with an Associates of Liberal Arts Degree. After he completed his education, he went on to work for a manufacturer of levels and various other tools. Greg started out in a general position in the packaging department and within a year, was given the responsibility of Packaging Manager. While in this position, Greg supervised a team which ranged between 8-17 members. The team was responsible for tasks such as setting up shrink wrapping machines, as well as banding and labeling of a wide variety of tools being sent to consumer stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Grainger. Greg gained valuable experience in how to operate packaging equipment, manage thousands of product sku’s and work with a culturally diverse group of people. A desire to learn more about the company assisted Greg to grow into the position of Warehouse/Shipping Manager. His new responsibility gave him hands on experience managing a fast paced warehouse environment. His oversight included warehouse organization, shipping, warehouse equipment, such as forklifts and motorized pallet jacks, and purchase order receipting. Greg learned a practical application of kan-ban inventory management, location control and electronic barcoding systems. He also received training in lean manufacturing.
In 2008, a job opportunity became available at ChemRite for a Warehouse Manager. ChemRite’s management team was searchinggreg-pic for a candidate who not only possessed exceptional warehouse management and organizational skills, but also someone who had a solid knowledge of current technology which would assist the company to implement an electronic inventory management system. Greg has proven to be an ideal fit for the position. He immediately made a positive impact on ChemRite’s warehouses by reorganizing both facilities, removing obsolete materials and creating processes to manage the available warehouse space. Greg took the lead in creating improved dock appointment and material receiving procedures, as well as designed a location control method which would be the foundation of the system ChemRite currently uses. He ensures that all of the company’s material handlers are properly trained and licensed. In addition, Greg’s knowledgeable input has been an invaluable contribution to ChemRite’s improved inventory control system. He took the lead in implementing full inventory lot control and training warehouse team members to use the new electronic inventory system. Many of our valued customers have seen a marked difference in our warehouse environment and inventory management, largely due to Greg’s skilled direction.
Greg and his girlfriend, Lisa, have been together for 5 years. Lisa works as an Administrative Specialist at a tool and die company. Together, the two enjoy hiking and have become actively involved in geocaching, a popular treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers with other participants. The game is played throughout the country and has given the couple the opportunity to see many beautiful areas. Greg supported himself working as a cook in his younger years and is still a good cook today. He also enjoys baseball cards, working on computers and spending time with family and friends.
Vince Lombardi once said, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work.” Greg has certainly proved this to be true. His hard work has made him a skilled leader and an esteemed part of ChemRite’s management. If you haven’t already done so, we invite you to meet Greg and the rest of the ChemRite team. Come and see how our employees set us apart.