Order Fulfillment overhaul
Getting everyone excited about a boring thing!Context
Most consumers generally assume their online orders are shipped out from a big mysterious warehouse behind the scenes, but this isn’t always true. Due to the amount of facilities, store locations, and product owned by large retailers, sometimes, those orders are shipped out by your local Target, or Anthropologie, in this case. .
This is my job! But, when I came into the position, our fill rates (success rates) were nothing to brag about. But now they are…
Regulate inventory
Why do companies do this?
Increase Product flow
Increase customer satisfaction
The Secret trick
Our monthly goal is 85% accuracy; something we consistently fell below. Yes, this all sounds pretty boring, but the most effective way to increase, really, any number in a retail space, is to boost morale.
This is not order fulfillment, this is a scavenger hunt around the store, and only the best of the best will succeed in finding these select items.
The order fulfillment station on two different, both very busy, days
example of our logging spreadsheet
monthly average fill: 90%September 2025the act of searching, or “picking” itemsOther than boosting morale, the most effective change I made was implementing and enforcing detailed logging of each batch. This way, everything is accounted for. Mishaps are far less common, and can easily be explained.
This has also resulted in an increase in care and attention to detail. Everyone holds themselves accountable and values their success.
November 2025 (Cyber Week)
Our store has since hit a success streak of 20 weeks and counting!
Setting a precedent of organization and success, while selecting individuals who thrive in detailed work, has helped build confidence surrounding my leadership abilities.