It’s 3:30pm on Wednesday, and you are the night loading Product Available Supervisor at PBC’s Denver Production and Distribution Center. You have just arrived at work, and are ready to start a hand off discussion with the first shift supervisor. She lets you know she can not stay long today due to a personal obligation. She quickly lets you know that she has heard that there has been an unforecasted sales promotional ad for Pepsi 12 packs at Albertson’s, and she thinks it may cause a product availability issue for tonight’s load out. As you walk by the message board you also see a note that two of your loaders have called in sick for tonight’s shift which will leave you terribly shorthanded. You then check your voice mail and find you have two messages. The first is from the Plant Manager who copied your boss the Product Availability Manager (PAM) on the message. He wants to meet with both of you to discuss WIP improvements, including changes to the layout of the pick area. The second is from the PAM asking to meet this afternoon about the recent down turn in bulk loading productivity. Specifically he would like to see the performance metrics for all individual loaders.
1. What would be your course of action to address these situations?
2. What would be the questions you need to ask and consider while resolving the issue?