Inside 3PL: Meet Tony Barnes, Warehouse Manager

Hi everyone 👋

Today, we’re introducing you to another incredible member of the 3PL team.

So far, you’ve met John Scully, Brandon Vaughan, Hannah Banks, Kath Knowles , Rebecca Whalley and Leon Parkinson.

This time I’d like to introduce you to Tony Barnes. Tony joined 3PL in 2018 and is a key part of warehouse operations, ensuring that our customers orders are shipped OTIF and our high service standards are not just met but exceeded.

Ready to learn more about Tony? Let’s do this 👇

 

Questions:

Barry Ryan: OK, big question first – describe 3PL in three words?

Tony Barnes: Growing – Progressive – Technology Driven

BR: To start, can you tell me a little bit about your background what you do at 3PL?

TB: My background is 34 years with JJB Sports PLC based in Wigan & then Sports Direct within the same facility from 2012 to 2015 dealing directly with brands such as Adidas, Nike, Reebok & Umbro and QEP based in Lytham St Annes in 2015 supplying B&Q, Screwfix,Wickes and Homebase , at JJB I was a senior manager over the operations team reporting directly to the Board of Directors, at QEP I was Senior Operations Manager of the UK arm of the operation .

At 3PL I am the warehouse manager of our TFH fulfilment hub, responsible for day-to-day operation of the facility including Receipt, Pick, Pack and Despatch.

BR: Why did you decide to join 3PL?

TB: For the challenge to be honest, I had worked my way through large corporate businesses and saw 3PL as a challenge to go on that journey once again

BR: What does the typical day at 3PL look like for you?

TB: Planning and monitoring with the team to ensure customer orders get to where they are due to be around the world, dealing with systematic and physical issues around the facility and to always have continuous improvement at the heart of the operation, ensuring our SLA high standards on despatch are delivered.

BR: What’s your favourite thing about working at 3PL?

TB: Team Spirit within my operations colleagues day to day is really important to me, win, lose and draw together !!!! of course, we want the win them all!

BR: Can you tell our readers about how the 3PL has changed during your time working here?

TB: It’s grown hugely, from one fulfilment centre to multiple sites, investment in automated systems has made a huge impact on how we manage the incoming and outgoing orders more efficiently for our customers.

BR: How did your job role change during the pandemic?

TB: More “on the floor” management due to an increase in certain client’s stock peaking during the covid outbreak.

BR: What’s job did you want to do as a kid?

TB: A professional Footballer or lighting & sound engineer

BR: What’s a fun fact about you?

TB: Too many to mention 😊

BR: What’s been your personal career highlight working at 3PL?

TB: Working with Lance Atkinson & Kath Knowles

BR: What makes 3PL a great company to work for?

TB: The people – without them you can’t have a great business

BR: What advice do you have for anyone looking for a career at 3PL?

TB: Only join 3PL if you truly care about your customer.