Archived New to Market

[Gulfcoast]

Hello all. I'm a relatively new HLTM at a Target on the Gulf Coast.

I've been very (and I mean VERY) poorly trained up until this point (LPs ignored and signed off as completed without my knowledge, training certs ignored and forced through as completed, not trained on how to clear Indymes or answer phones, etc. Much of the stuff I was supposed to be trained on I figured out through trial and error or by asking other TMs that had been with the company longer.) We're short staffed at the moment and our PFresh/Grocery TLs have been taking vacation time and the such lately, making it nearly impossible for me to get any time with them to work out exactly what would be expected of me when I do finally get my PFresh certs done. Well, I've got a market closing shift coming up soon, and I'm so lost it's not even funny. I can close any HL section except Grocery, since I know there are some specifics relating to cold boxes and the like.

ETL-HR keeps telling me that the four hours I worked with one of the grocery TMs would be more than enough time to have gotten all the knowledge I need.

My question is: What am I in for?

If this is the wrong section for this, sorry.

 

[commiecorvus]

First off sorry to hear you got screwed like that, really sorry.
Second, welcome to The Break Room. Wish it could have been under better circumstances.
Third, hey guys can we get this TM some help here?
Sorry I'm the wrong person to ask but I think we should be able to find someone who can.
Did you see this thread, don't know if it will help.
http://www.thebreakroom.org/showthread.php/2103-Closing-pfresh-and-dry-market-alone-anyone-else

 

[Gulfcoast]

The thread actually helps a bit. I've still going over some of what's in it, but there are some gems that will make this easier.

Issue is, we usually have one TM closing the entire grocery out (dry and pfresh), and they do a wonderful job. I know I'll have another person there, but if it's our primary TL, they've pretty much clocked out and want nothing to do with Target. They're just waiting to hear back from another company at this point. The other person who typically closes is a very closed mouth older individual whom I've worked with before in other sections, but really doesn't like explaining things or breaking their routine, especially to the undertrained HLTMs (like me) that have been flooding the floor for the last few months.

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Zoning
- Look at every item, working top to bottom (or vice versa) and do it on a per section (usually four feet) basis
- Cover all diamonds
- Turn all labels to face out
- Use grey dots (if you see one, the item in the location might not be correct)
- Don't move strays/foreign/re-shop to the appropriate aisle every time -- use your cart and leave items on the floor until you finish the aisle (some ETLs might not like this, maybe only do it after the store is closed)
- Organize your cart! Example: bottom tier = backstock, middle tier = strays and empty packages, hand basket = defectives, top tier = re-shop for your current department (this should be worked every time you change aisles if the items are within a five-aisle radius)
- Check multiple locations on the same aisle, don't leave holes if you have product on the shelf above/below
- Pegs are easy to zone, just use the grey dots
- You shouldn't need a PDA to tell if a product is in the wrong spot (most of the time the last five numbers are on the bottom left of the label, the assortment number near the UPC will be on the top right of label, and Target brands have DPCIs near the UPCs and sometimes on the front of the package)
- Know the department - zone where it gets shopped more first (if you have time to come back later) or last (if you only have enough time to get to each aisle once) - Example: Toys then Sporting Goods then Toys if you have time to go back
- Check empty endcaps for backroom locations, if none then pull from home, if no product - flex the endcap with like items, starting with d-code or NOP
- Zone clearance, please, just do it
- Remove grey dots in locations that have the correct item
- Always pull more than one item forward (minimum two, typically 3-4) - if everyone does this, the zone is maintained A LOT longer while being shopped
- Inventory control clips (round rubber things) on pegs should be pulled forward if there are few items on the peg - this greatly improves the look of a peg-heavy aisle

Returns/Re-shop/Strays
- If at all possible, get a PDA
- If you have a PDA, use RF Apps (NOP + toggle to Pricing, LOC, SUBT, etc.) - if you don't know why, you haven't used it enough
- Put the items in your cart yourself - you know how your thought process works more than other people, so you can work through the merchandise quicker (this is critical in HBA or Toys)
- If you don't have a PDA, park your cart near a price check machine (assuming you have the new ones that SF schemetics)
- Park your cart on an endcap, work all of the items within a five-aisle radius (three before, two after)
- Ask CIHYFS - chances are this isn't your first time working returns/re-shop, so you should be able to show guests where most items are
- Remove grey dots from empty locations that you are filling (some stores may not remove the dots if there is only one item, check with your Instocks or Hardlines Team Leaders)

CAF Push
- Fill your vehicle - if there are other vehicles with merchandise in nearby areas (or only a few items) you should grab them, you will save yourself time and effort
- Use the smart labels (that might not be the official term) that is on every single box - it tells you the DPCI, SF schematic, and item name
- Push your vehicle, don't pull it
- Don't stack your vehicle too high, running over a guest is a bad thing
- Learn your backroom (where different departments get backstocked, where to keep empty vehicles, etc.) - this makes backroom TMs' lives a lot easier
- Combine your backstock with nearby backstock vehicles, don't just throw a pink clip on it and walk away
- Keep your vehicle organized - separate backstock as you work, break down boxes, put trash (see: C/D blocks) in an empty box
- Don't overstock - the accumulator isn't perfect, please don't make it worse
- Remove grey dots from empty locations that you are filling

That's everything I have for now, Hardlinesmaster feel free to use any/all of it.

This is from a high volume store, other stores may function differently.

Edit: added a few more items.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Here is a good link for those answers:
http://www.thebreakroom.org/showthread.php/305
Partner w/ctl, etl-log, & etl-hl to get all teams on the same page. Don't forget the weekends, when you have sf hl helping you out. Training & pushing fast are the keys. Milk & freezer pulls are the easiest to push.

But FIFO & culling are important things also. Make sure to them that too.

These links maybe help:
pfresh grand opening & backroom bakery & meat
http://www.thebreakroom.org/showthread.php/305
pfresh backroom issues
http://www.thebreakroom.org/showthread.php/565
pfresh closing roles
http://www.thebreakroom.org/showthread.php/690
pfresh asst
http://www.thebreakroom.org/showthread.php/410
team work
http://www.thebreakroom.org/showthread.php/1477
fifo stuff
http://www.thebreakroom.org/showthread.php/1538