In June, we speak to Maciej, branch manager of MOL Logistics in Poland. We'd like to find out more about his background and look at logistics. Read all about it in this interview!
"We, as MOL Logistics, are not afraid to handle any type of cargo, we are open to new solutions."
So Maciej, what did you learn?
Management and IT as a company specialisation management. I wrote my master's thesis on logistics.
How did you end up in logistics?
As I mentioned, I wrote my master thesis on logistics and decided to do an internship at a logistics company (Mercury). During my internship, I helped to sort things out for their new business partner (MOL Logistics in Germany). The next year, when MOL Logistics in Germany was looking for an employee to look after a Polish customer, I applied and got the job. That was 13 years ago.
That's a lot of time! What attracts you to the field of transport and logistics? What do you enjoy the most?
We, as MOL Logistics, are not afraid to handle any type of cargo and are open to new solutions. The wide range of services creates many challenges and variety in our daily work. As a result, my work is not boring.
"Sometimes there are no standard solutions. That's why it's important to listen carefully" to customers' needs and be able to think outside the box "
And what does your schedule look like on a normal day?
Actually, in my case, there is no such thing as an 'ordinary day'. As the manager of a new branch, I have so many things to do and issues to resolve from different areas that make every day look different. Our office has been in existence for six months and is growing fast, so I have to be a one-man army. I handle things from management, purchasing, standard paperwork to IT and service. In addition, we are an international company with offices located on almost every continent. Most of our branches exist in different time zones, so even if you have the perfect plan for the next day, you might get some urgent requests that change it upside down. That's why every morning, as I eat breakfast and drink coffee, I read the emails received during the night and adjust my plan for the day. Then, if possible, on my way to work I try to get all the necessary things that need to be done in town, so when I arrive at the office I can focus on office work until the afternoon. Then it's time for the necessary meetings at our facility. At the end of the working day, before my colleagues leave the office, we make a short summary of the day. This ensures that I am always aware of the real situations and gives our team the opportunity to find quick and best solutions to the current issues we are dealing with.
That's a wide range of activities! What knowledge and skills do you really need for your position?
In the early stages of a company's existence, we always have to do as much as possible ourselves, otherwise we will lose a lot of time in organising the right professionals. That's why, as I've already mentioned, I'm involved in things from management to purchasing, standard paper work to IT and service. So I need to be good at management, human relations and negotiation. In addition, I need knowledge in various other areas, such as accounting, IT, and finally there are times when I even need to be a handyman.
What struggle or question do you often encounter with your customers? How do you help them with this?
I am usually involved in larger customer problems. Mainly, they contact me when they have a new business and need to consult on how to organise the most efficient supply chain or in case their other agent fails with a shipping request and our help is needed. In such cases, there are no standard solutions. Therefore, it is important to listen carefully to our customers' needs and be able to think outside the box. This is the best way to find an optimal and innovative solution.
"Our team is open-minded and focused on finding the optimal solution."
How do you contribute to the social, family feel of MOL Logistics?
I always look out for the opinion and needs of my colleagues and try to create a welcoming environment so that everyone can feel comfortable in our workplace. We have to remember that we usually spend half our day in the office, so it's good to feel like a second home here.
What hobbies do you have that contribute to the work you do here?
I train enduro motorbikes and enjoy playing puzzles. You learn to appreciate your surroundings and figure out how to find the best path or solution to reach your goal.
What do you like most about your job?
In two words: diversification, challenges.
Now something about the future. How do you see our company in 10 years' time?
I see several branches in Poland, including warehouses. At the moment, we are listening carefully to our customers' needs and determining the best path forward.
In summary: what can you tell customers about MOL Logistics as 'your creative partner in logistics'?
I think I have already partially answered this question in other parts of this interview, but in summary I can say that our team is open and focused on finding the optimal solution. We don't follow patterns, for us every client and every case is different, so an individual approach is needed. We always listen carefully to the needs of our clients and develop our organisation to create high-quality services that meet our clients' expectations.
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