BRIDGE CITY SUPPLY
Head of Development & Operations
Prior to the opening of the Broadway Ace Hardware retail store, I was assigned to be head of development and operations for Bridge City Supply. My task was to completely redevelop the business from a small stocking warehouse to a functioning wholesale distribution facility. This business was designed to service the many companies and properties owned by its parent company, NFN Investments, in addition to serving as the wholesale warehouse for Broadway Ace Hardware.
I began by examining the existing infrastructure and adapting it to meet the needs of my customers. I then developed basic operational procedures and company policies. From there, I interviewed and hired a full staff and implemented the policies and procedures I had developed. I designed the layout of the warehouse to maximize productivity and also allow for ease of access to our customers. Once the infrastructure was established, I then took to the task of securing vendors, and negotiating contract pricing and terms. All of these steps were taken in order to ensure the best possible pricing and services for our customer, while maximizing profitability for our company.
In order to meet the needs of our customer, we expanded our services to include custom paint tinting, screen repair, delivery, and online ordering. I also implemented new divisions of the company to include power tool and heavy equipment rental, as well as a network of remote warehouses (known as Satellite Warehouses) that were strategically located throughout the service area of our parent company. These additional services made it easy for our customers to access products, and complete their jobs. Below you will find more information about the different aspects of Bridge City Supply and the role I played in the company.
WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
Space Design & Operational Efficiency
My first order of business at BCS was to development the infrastructure and operational workflow procedures for the warehouse. After assessing the inventory and accessibility requirements, I drafted an optimized floor plan that allowed for maximum storage, with ease of access to all of our products. After the floor plan was completed, I then developed work flow procedures and documentation. I utilized these procedures and documents to control each aspect of the chain of custody for our products and equipment. Safety, efficiency, accountability and documentation were my primary focuses when I planned and executed these tasks.
INVENTORY CONTROL
Using Software and Chain of Custody Protocols
As we developed the warehouse and expanded our product lines, it was extremely important to maintain accurate inventory counts and sales records. After extensive research and preparation, we implemented the Epicor Eagle Point of Sale and Inventory Management software program at BCS. Epicor is the preferred POS system for Ace Hardware and it is highly versatile and comprehensive. It allowed us to track inventory and sales in real time and it helped us to maintain accurate inventory values for tax and accounting purposes. Regular maintenance and cycle counts are required to ensure accuracy. Understanding inventory control and managing the flow of products in and out of our facility is of extreme importance and I worked hard to ensure accuracy and accountability.
SATELLITE WAREHOUSES
Remote Inventory Control & Sales
At the request of our parent company (NFN Investments), I was assigned to develop a series of remote warehouse locations that would house products, accessible to our inter-company customers. It was my responsibility to develop the systems and protocols to ensure ease of access for our customers, as well as the accuracy and security of our products. We implemented strict security protocols, and utilized onsite Point Of Sale terminals that could be easily accessed and operated by authorized staff members. Establishing regular replenishment and cycle count schedules ensured that each of our nine satellite warehouses were properly stocked and accurately maintained.
VEHICLE & EQUIPMENT RENTAL
The next phase in the growth of Bridge City Supply was the addition of our vehicle and heavy equipment rental program. I hired a rental fleet manager, with a mechanics background, to run the day to day operation of this program. We utilized an online rental program call "EZrentout.com" to track the customer billing and equipment usage rates. We developed spreadsheets and calendars to stay on top of vehicle maintenance, and we expanded our fleet to meet the needs of our customers. By the end of 2016, BCS had nearly $1,000,000 in vehicles and heavy equipment assets in our fleet. Our first year revenue for this program was over $185,000.00, which added a nice little boots to the BCS bottom line. It was our goal to be a one stop shop, and having these rental vehicles and heavy equipment gave us additional flexibility to service the needs of our customers. The rental division of BCS was yet another aspect of the business I was responsible for maintaining and it was great learning experience for me professionally.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Staff Development
Space Design
Inventory Control
Project Management
Systems Implementation
Purchasing
Product Sourcing
Quality Control
Fleet Management
Vendor Relations
Price negotiations
Customer Service
Financial Planning & Budgeting
​
​
BCS OVERVIEW
Building Bridge City Supply into a fully functional distribution facility, establishing the satellite warehouses, and implementing a rental program was a formidable challenge and there were many obstacles I had to overcome in order to achieve my goals. I took each challenge head on and came up with innovative solutions to accomplish our objectives. I learned so much in this process and I am pleased with the results of my efforts. The experience I gained while working at BCS was beneficial to me as I moved towards the next step in my employment with NFN Investments, which was the development, opening, and operation of the Broadway Ace Hardware retail store.