What made you decide to join ZenGroup?
The decisive factors were that the business content seemed interesting and, as a growing company, I felt it was a place where I could utilize my prior experience. I worked at a logistics center for a domestic corporate mail-order company for 8 years, but left the job due to my father’s nursing care. While looking for a new job, I became interested in the unfamiliar field of international logistics. Also, at my previous large company, I had to get approval from various departments and felt the limits of not being able to do what I wanted to do. However, I felt that ZenGroup was not yet fully mature and had a non-top-down corporate culture, which made me think I could take on new challenges here.
Could you tell us about your daily responsibilities?
On weekdays, the only fixed daily tasks are collecting data and sorting data for code-deleted items. There is little routine work, and there are many miscellaneous tasks such as responding to sudden irregular situations, creating automations as they arise, and installing equipment. Sorting these code-deleted items (deciding whether to relist or discard products returned by customers) is an essential task for me as the Deputy Center Manager. On Saturdays, since the team leaders are absent, I serve concurrently in shipping and administrative operations.
What is a commitment you value and “cannot compromise on” in your work?
It is to “always work with a sense of speed” and “always keep the end-user in mind”. Since my previous job required minute-by-minute speed, I value the style of not thinking too long about a plan, but taking action first and making corrections later. I always keep it in the back of my mind to just execute things and keep moving forward.
Is there anything the team is conscious of to get through the busy season?
It is to make the most effective use of the given man-hours and always be conscious of productivity. During the busiest times at the center, such as after Black Friday at the end of October and the beginning of the new year, we avoid miscellaneous tasks that consume non-work time as much as possible, and concentrate on completing as many tasks as we can. In addition, due to recent shipping restrictions on materials caused by the situation in the Middle East, we are constantly acquiring new information about logistics industry trends and new packing materials with a more stable supply. We are also conducting shipping tests for new packaging methods, and choosing new packing materials.
Could you tell us about the “uniqueness of the products handled” unique to cross-border e-commerce? Are there any products that surprised you?
A manga magazine (Weekly Shonen Jump) that I subscribed to in my childhood was bought for over 1 million yen.
When do you realize that you are “connected to the world” in your daily work?
It is when I receive requests directly from overseas customers through Customer Support, or when I experience international affairs firsthand. For example, even if a shipping company accepts a package, it may not be able to enter the country due to the local situation, and a large number of packages may be returned. There was a time when nearly 200 boxes were returned on a Saturday. When faced with such difficulties, I realize that we are connected to the world.
Is there a gap between the general image of a warehouse and the actual site of ZenGroup?
Since it is not a typical warehouse, it has heating and cooling. At my previous warehouse, the doors were kept open due to the structure where trucks arrived, and the temperature could reach nearly 40 degrees in the summer. For someone with experience, the current air-conditioned environment feels like heaven. Another difference I noticed was that we were not bound by overly-detailed rules like in my previous job. I was a little surprised because there were strict safety rules in my previous job, but I am currently working with the other logistics experts who joined at the same time to gradually establish our own set of safety rules suited to the site, while finding an appropriate balance that is not too restrictive.
Could you tell us about the workplace environment and atmosphere?
It is a homey workplace with interaction across teams and constant smiles. It’s an environment where communication is easy regardless of position, and new ideas from employees are listened to. You might have the mental image of a warehouse as a place where people work quietly, but about one-third of the employees and part-time workers participate in company events such as cherry blossom viewing, creating a very good atmosphere.
What do you feel you have grown in since joining ZenGroup?
My knowledge of IT, such as creating automations, has increased. I also feel that my experience in advising and supporting teams and employees toward achieving goals, such as OKRs and individual action plans, has contributed to my growth.
Has ZenGroup supported you to boost your growth?
Due to time constraints, I have not received any direct support from the company (such as language learning). However, we create opportunities to deepen our knowledge ourselves. I have taken the initiative to organize brief lectures on automation for my team members, and we visited logistics exhibitions with the team leaders to observe cutting-edge warehouses.
What do you think is “good” about ZenGroup?
Because the internal rules are loose in a good way, the site staff can work energetically and freely without being constrained. Also, at the Higashi-Osaka Center, the Center Manager and I have a stance of “just give it a try” when there is a proposal, and we never say “NO”. I think our environment that encourages such challenges is a good point.
