I've worked in every work center except front end (I don't count backup cashiering). Personally, the logistics area of the store can be fast paced since you have x amount of time to get things done. That was great for awhile but once you master it, it settles into a routine with few deviations. That gets a little dull for me.
The sales floor work center regardless of the area assigned, (except Consumeables/pfresh) is enjoyable since you interact more with guests on stage. Take calls when operator announces over radio -- I usually announce on radio and take the call, unless it was for electronics. When guest service requests announced on radio, I'd drop everything and run to the area to clear the request. I just enjoyed zig zagging all over store, knowing shortest routes and beat other TMs to it. Along with stocking product from the auto fills and zoning made the shift go by quickly if it was a busy day. The only thing that's a constant was zoning, but since I'm minor OCD -- it was kind of fun. The routine varies from time to time, but ultimately it becomes repetitive but if you're a people person, you don't mind the routine as much.
Plano is also another fun area to work in. It was the easiest workcenter for me, personally. I have a good eye for detail, I move at only one speed -- light speed. But whether one enjoys working in that workcenter really is dependent on the rest of the plano team. I refuse to be scheduled in this work center so long as the current Plano TL continues working there. When our store was up for remodel back awhile ago, I had been assigned to plano to help out. I picked up the process, understood the planograms, how to set, use the PDA to set it, etc in about two or three days. After a week, I'd just be assigned an aisle up for revision and just set it up. The problem though is that most of the people in plano aren't what I'd label as "people oriented." My enthusiasm / energy seemed to annoy the TM's that had been there for years. A few times, those more senior TM's who were supposed to train the new remodel hires were too absorbed in what they were doing and ignored questions the new trainees had about anything plano-related. So I just started answering the questions they had, took the time to explain how to read a planogram, put up signing, etc. The whole nine yards. I had been there 4 months at that point, and I suppose they felt I was stepping on their toes or whatnot. Plano TL calls me into her office at end of shift and literally sits me down to have a "talk." She said nothing was going on paper or in writing, but that since I had only been with plano for a week at that point, to stop answering questions. She said valued my enthusiasm and energy but I should just let the more senior people help out the newer trainees.
Not to mention, Plano TL is always grouchy, seems to be an opportunistic backstabber and probably a bit bitter since that individual has been with Spot almost two decades and still not key carrier/Sr TL. So, I just apologized and went directly to HR to transfer out of the workcenter. I refuse to work with the plano tl at my store or in plano workcenter, so long as that person is TL.
My favorite workcenter is Consumeables/PFresh hands down. It's everything rolled into one, plus I'm also responsible for dealing with the vendors & scorecard as well as the endcaps in all of market. There's so many different things that a PA has to juggle on a given day, that despite the routines we have -- it's always invariably different. I constantly have to communicate and address any process issues as they occur, which involves dealing with leadership and the TM's when they don't follow Best Practices, training the new TM's as they get hired into their assigned workcenter on pfresh overview. I enjoy this part of it because I like to know everyone by name and want them to feel more at ease/comfortable as they start their new job at Spot. I have a problem of biting off more than I can chew, yet still manage to get it done. This usually requires prioritizing assigned tasks based on importance, and ensuring any unfinished tasks are communicated at shift change to incoming PA.
I also love going into temp zones that are -20 degrees, 36 degrees and room temp constantly! It's very refreshing and wakes me up. I personally love the freezer and sometimes I'll even help the BR TM's with the backstock if they leave it out too long and I happen to have time. (Mostly because I've gotten tired of listening to them complain about how cold the freezer is and neglect the backstock while only doing the pulls. I've even had a BR TM actually refuse to do a new freezer pog fill on an EC I was working. That TM had no autofills in gun, everything in BR was back stocked and they didn't have anything going on.) I've had a discussion with the BR-TL, ETL-Log and my CTL about that and suggested BR TM's be put on a rotating schedule to do freezer pulls/backstock on FDC truck days. I personally don't get it, since I love working in the freezer -- plus all protective clothing to keep you warm are provided by Spot.
I love being a PA due to the fact that you'll always essentially be dealing with different issues, even if the core routines are the same. Plus, the leadership team leaves me to my own devices now, don't attempt to micromanage me or dictate when I can or cannot go on breaks. I do my thing, communicate issues as they come up, announce on radio whenever tasks are completed and keeping them informed proactively. Only thing I dislike a little bit about Pfresh workcenter are the workplace politics that seem to come into play when you have to communicate with a particular person about process issues, or whatever. Such is life though. I'm enjoying myself at work, probably take it a little seriously but it's my area of responsibility and I answer for anything that happens.
Pricing/Instocks is okay, but honestly not my thing. Too much walking around, scanning things, putting labels etc. It was way too repetitive with little variation. As for leadership roles, I couldn't tell ya. Haven't been one yet, and don't know if I'll be there long enough. It depends on when certain circumstances IRL will enable me to leave Spot to be trained / start my career. I could be there for as little as another year or god forbid, 3 years. Hopefully, I'll have a promotion or two and pay raises by then. But I won't hold my breath. 🙂
