Chapter 8. STORAGE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

CHAPTER 8

STORAGE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

8-1. General.

(h) Recognize that years pass quickly

and assure that there is someone capable and trained to

carry the major part of the load when the need arises.

a. Management. In storage and materials handling

(i) Encourage

all

personnel

operations, management encompasses four principal

supervisory positions to have and maintain an updated

areas of responsibility: people, workload, space, and

manager's handbook.

equipment.

This chapter treats those essential

management techniques which are particularly

appropriate to storage and materials handling operations

(2) These principles, coupled with the

and which experience has proven to be the most

application of such management techniques, will

effective.

contribute immeasurably to achieving maximum

b. Importance

management.

efficiency and economy in storage operations.

Managers/directors at major military supply installations

are business executives with broad responsibilities.

c. The storage and materials handling manager.

Organization is the structure by which these

responsibilities are affected.

Management is the

(1) A good manager establishes objectives

planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and

within the framework of the mission of the organization

controlling mechanism by which the organization is

and operates according to the capabilities of the work

made to function. Thus, there is a continuing cycle in

force and the facilities placed at their disposal. The

which good managerial techniques are made effective

manager knows the "how" and "why" of what they are

through proper organizational structure as the structure

asking and is able to evaluate results. Above all, the

itself produces good managers.

work force is led to understand directions in order to

obtain the desired objectives.

(1) There are certain basic principles that

(2) Complete and common understanding

apply to effective organization and leadership. As a

between the storage and materials handling manager

manager, basic leadership principles enumerated below,

and operators requires the preparation of standard

judiciously applied, will result in a beneficial return.

operating procedures, the training of personnel in those

procedures, and the maintenance of a continuing

(a) Encourage employees to do a better

program to restudy procedures and retrain personnel.

job by example and by inspiring them to innovate and

The manager encourages recommendations for

suggest improvements.

improvement in operations and, where indicated, effects

(b) Maintain the "open door" policy so

revision and refinement of operating procedures.

subordinates will feel free to approach you. One good

(3) The successful manager operates with a

idea from them may revolutionize your operation.

high degree of flexibility. Through the organizational

(c) Make no commitments that cannot

structure they meet sudden and large impacts on one

be kept. Build confidence by becoming known as one

activity by shifting personnel and equipment from tasks

who keeps a promise.

of lesser priority, including delegation of authority where

practicable. Tasks of lesser priority are maintained as

(d) Nourish the morale of your

standby projects to be accomplished during periods of

organization. Believe in your fellow employee.

nonpeak workload. This balancing of workload, people,

(e) Instill

confidence

that

your

and materials begins with the smallest operation and

instructions will be complied with, that your suggestions

ends with the total production from the entire activity.

will be heeded, and that your orders will be carried out.

(4) No matter how powerful a combination of

(f) Cultivate the art of delegating

resources the storage and materials handling manager

responsibility.

Promote teamwork by developing

may have, they cannot succeed without a team of

leadership qualities.

willing, thinking, and articulate people to guide that

(g) Make such things as promotions,

combination.

The manager has a job to create,

citations for meritorious service, retirements, and bonus

develop, and maintain voluntary cooperation and

awards a special event.

initiative among the people supervised.

8-1