The Safety & Shortage audit functions are already completed by the OAPM. Last year Regional Shortage/Safety validate those OAPM audits or may find more discrepancies missed or newly created. With the current situation, Safety/Shortage Controllers may be offered OAPM job openings in stores. Good luck.
5 replies (most recent on top)
Shortage is usually the first to be cut in an environment where the company is cash starved. The company's shortage program was failing miserably prior to COVID and only had one direction to go - down.
Doing the same thing over and over yet expecting different results......insanity! Remember hearing that. Well the shortage controllers were most likely very hard working people and believe din their job but after dealing with many "audits" I found that they were token actions to be able to make someone upstairs feel good.
Why would the company not invest in shortage control measures such as repairing or replacing the broken inventory control alarms at the doors? Shortage control audits did not ding the stores for having broken systems? Even when the issues was brought up the chain to District and above the answer was always "no" on that issue. However the signs for shoplifting not being up in a fitting room were dinged on the audit. Really ? A sign will not stop someone from grabbing 10 pair of Silver Jeans and running out the door.
The company's shortage grew exponentially in 6 years then exploded to a point that was almost unbelievable. But audits continued to focus on the same issues time and time again, yet results were lackluster.
Stores received merchandise "booked" to them but the items never crossed the threshold of the receiving door....never once was there follow-up on those issues. Paying for merchandise that was never received but yet the merchandise having been booked to the store it was counted as a shortage in the inventory as it was not there physically. That was held against the APM OAPM in their reviews even through many complained about this process.
In store audits were also a joke...how many times can you fail an audit yet the managers and store manager did not care as there was no help on the sales floor to complete the actions required to pass the audits.
When areas were combined and AP personnel were cut that showed where the proprieties were and it was not Asset Protection. Managing a store shortage program was a full time job and required focus. How can that be done when the OAPM has multiple job roles to fill? Operations, receiving, pick and ship, I could go on but you probably already know.
The entire AP culture needs to change however the political climate and financial situation of the company will not allow for this now. AP and Shortage systems will see a slow burn off.
That has been the case for many years - AP / Shortage is needed and when they are successful and cases drop due to the great work of the teams someone in an office states well the numbers are not there cut the staff and programs. Then a few months later the shortage numbers go through th roof and the question is asked "what happened?"
Well the reams that were keeping shortage at bay were released to a thin line left on the staff and the criminals know that and take advantage.
Shortage control has many functions, I know that and those I worked with were stand up people. With the company in the financial toilet it would be hard to say that the Shortage and AP program will stay in tact. Best wishes.
I hope you hear positive news on your job! The “who cares” came off insensitive. I’m sorry. I meant who cares if they come into the store. They need to see the state of the stores and hold all accountable. If not, the stores are all going to shrink out and close. Sorry again!
I care! I’m a shortage controller looking for news on my job status!
Who cares ?