Ethan - Control Tower Manager

Tell us about your career so far with ECL?
I started working in the freight industry around 12 years ago as a runner for one of the couriers. Since then I have done stints as a courier contractor and freight processor on the night shift.  I was promoted from this role to Team Leader within 3 months and in 2009 I was given a fantastic opportunity to be involved in one of CourierPost's key projects;  the transition and move to the new Auckland Operations Centre (AOC) at Highbrook.  This involves working with state of the art automated parcel processing equipment. I have now moved further with my career and was appointed Control Tower/Floor Manager in 2010 with added staff, operational performance and financial accountability.  

Describe a typical day for you at work.
I start my day at 13:45-14:00 checking for any issues that need to be looked at for the start of the shift; staffing for the day, any processing issues to correct or changes to the transport arrangements.  Once the shift has settled and the sorter is up and running, I then spend some time catching up on any outstanding issues from the previous days, liaising with the operations trainer and the Operations Managers.  Then I go back to the Tower and work with the two Floor managers to ensure a smooth flow of freight from the Tower. 

We push hard until 20:30 to process all the outbound forward and then swap to sorting local freight until 22:30.  No day is the same when you are dealing with traffic issues throughout Auckland, 80 odd staff, 40-50 trucks, 100 odd vans, plane and ferry schedules to keep, people wanting their parcels delivered ASAP and 50,000 items to be processed in 8 hours. Plus of course having everything ready for the next shift to process 35,000 items for people in Auckland!  

What do you most enjoy about your job? 
A lot has happened in 12 months in this fast moving business, it’s exciting to be part of it.  I get the opportunity to work in what is a unique facility and be involved in cutting edge technology in our industry.  Some of our freight is extremely time critical such as medical equipment and transporting blood for the New Zealand Blood Service, it gives me satisfaction to know that I am part of this process.  It’s great to work in a team who are all dedicated to ensuring our freight reaches our customers on time.

The support I have received from managers to help me grow my skillset and further my career has been excellent   and I have been able to consolidate my experience with academic qualifications by completing a 2 year Diploma in Supply Chain Management through Massey University with the support from the ECL Study Assistance Programme.

How do you see your career developing with ECL?
From my experience I believe you have to work hard and take the chances you are given.  Take every opportunity, learn everything you can and do the best you can.  Everything you learn will come in handy.  For me the next step would probably be to Branch Manager level, however the AOC operation just keeps on growing so with the time and effort I’ve invested so far in the operation I am keen to see where this can take me.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a bit of a rugby nut, both league and union so I spend a lot of time watching at the weekends.

Describe your personality in a few words?
I guess I am quite a quiet guy.   I am straight up, fair, honest and always ensure I treat people the way I would like to be treated. It’s stood me in good stead so far!