What does it actually take to get thousands of glass bottles and jars from the manufacturer to a customer, on time, in the right place and exactly when they’re needed?
When a delivery of glass arrives exactly where it needs to be, exactly when it needs to be there, it can all look pretty straight forward.
Behind the scenes? Not quite.
There are forecasts to manage, production schedules to coordinate, ships to track, warehouses to organise, hauliers to arrange and, every so often, a plan that needs to change at very short notice.
Keeping all of those moving parts moving takes a lot of organisation; and at Glassworks International, Hayley and Grace are right at the heart of it.
From planning months ahead and working closely with our manufacturing partners to coordinating stock movements and customer deliveries, they help keep our customers’ glass supply on track from start to finish.
It’s a role that involves plenty of forward planning, quick thinking and problem-solving; not to mention a shared love of a very well-organised spreadsheet!
So, for the next instalment of Behind the Scenes at Glassworks International, we’re introducing Hayley and Grace: what they do, how they work together and what really goes into making sure the right glass gets to the right place at the right time.
We are experts in glass packaging, supporting our customers with over 100 years of joint company experience, with a genuine focus on providing industry best standards of product and service.
Meet Hayley: Planning, Problem-Solving & Keeping Supply on Track
Hayley’s role starts long before a lorry arrives at a customer’s door.
Working across customer forecasting, procurement planning, storage and delivery, she helps make sure the right glass is being produced at the right time; and that there’s a plan in place to get it where it needs to go.
“My role is essentially to ensure the glass is made and delivered just in time to the customer,” Hayley explains. “It’s my responsibility to ensure the supply chain runs as smoothly as possible, taking on that responsibility for the customer so they can focus on running their business.”
That means being the link between a lot of different people. On any given day, Hayley could be coordinating with customers, our sales team, glass manufacturers, shipping companies, transport partners or teams internally at Glassworks International.
There isn’t really one.
“One day I could be forecasting with suppliers and shipping companies, and the next arranging customer orders or reviewing potential issues that could affect customer commitments.”
It’s this unpredictability that makes experience so important.
Lead times can move. Production schedules can change. Transport can be delayed. A customer’s requirements can suddenly shift.
For Hayley, the key is spotting those potential challenges early.
“Having good visibility of what is happening and communicating early is really important, rather than waiting for a problem to become critical.”
And when plans do change, the question quickly becomes: what can we do about it?
Whether that means working with a supplier, changing priorities internally or finding an alternative solution for a customer, problem-solving is a big part of Hayley’s day; and one of the parts she enjoys most.
“I enjoy the combination of problem-solving and seeing something through from start to finish. Importing and distribution can be fast-paced, so I enjoy finding practical solutions.”
Meet Grace: Getting Glass from A to B (and Everywhere in Between)
Once plans become orders, there’s another logistical puzzle to solve; actually getting the glass here.
That’s where Grace comes in.
Grace coordinates the process of placing orders with our suppliers before managing the collection and transportation of stock, working closely with suppliers, shippers and hauliers along the way.
“Essentially, I coordinate the process from placing the initial order with our suppliers through to the collection and transportation of the stock.”
And there’s plenty happening between those two points.
Documentation needs to be completed, collections coordinated, arrivals monitored and transport planned. Once the glass reaches our warehouse, Grace then works closely with the internal team to arrange deliveries to customers across the UK.
Much like Hayley, her working day can change very quickly.
“A typical day could involve monitoring arrivals, planning haulier movements and managing customer orders, while keeping a close eye on deliveries.”
And when something doesn’t quite go to plan?
“I spend time resolving any issues and making sure we have the right plans in place to minimise delays and continue meeting customer requirements.”
There’s a lot happening that customers will, ideally; never need to see.
In Grace’s words:
“We balance a lot of plates at the same time to ensure everything comes together at just the right time.”
And that’s really the aim. The better things are managed behind the scenes, the simpler the process should feel for the customer.
“It’s rewarding knowing that the work we do behind the scenes has a positive impact on the customer, allowing them to focus on what is important.”
Two Roles, One Very Organised Team
Of course, none of this happens in isolation.
Hayley and Grace’s responsibilities overlap throughout the supply chain, which means the two are in pretty constant communication.
Luckily, they’re very much on the same wavelength.
“We have a strong working relationship and very similar approaches,” says Hayley. “Between us, we cover a broad range of responsibilities, so effective organisation and coordination is essential.”
Grace perhaps sums up their partnership best:
“We’re both really organised and love a spreadsheet!”
That shared approach means information is constantly passed between them, priorities can be adjusted quickly and potential problems can be tackled before they become bigger ones.
It also means that between the two of them, they have visibility across a huge part of a customer’s journey with Glassworks; from forecasting what they’re going to need through to seeing the finished glass arrive.
The Work You Don’t Always See
When everything goes to plan, supply can look deceptively simple.
But behind that delivery could be months of forecasting, manufacturing, international shipping, documentation, warehousing, transport planning and communication.
And that’s exactly why experience in roles like Hayley and Grace’s matters.
They understand the knock-on effect one change can have elsewhere in the supply chain. They know when something needs attention, who needs to know about it and, most importantly, how to start finding a solution.
For our customers, that means they don’t have to manage every one of those moving parts themselves.
They can focus on making, bottling and selling their products; while we focus on helping make sure they have the glass to do it.
Need to Talk Glass?
Whether you’re planning ahead for future demand, reviewing your existing glass supply or looking for something completely new, our team would love to hear from you.
Get in touch with Glassworks International to discuss your requirements and find out how our team can help keep your glass supply moving.
Glassworks International has been supplying our many UK customers with the highest quality glass packaging, providing outstanding value and dedicated service, nationwide for 25 years.
Stuart Alexander heads up our technical and quality department, providing a wealth of glass production experience and expertise gained over many years. Stuart is always on hand to offer support and advice and to answer any questions you may have.
Glassworks International takes pride in keeping up to date with the latest technologies and trends within glass manufacturing and production.