goTRG comprises more than 2,000 diverse teammates across the globe operating under one vision: to revolutionize returns. With experts in every field, from software and engineering to e-commerce and supply chain, we want to highlight the skilled teammates who elevate this company’s mission every day. Each month we’ll hand over the metaphorical mic to a new goTRG teammate so you can better understand who we are and how we continually evolve as leaders in the industry.
Over to you Lacey...
Senior Production Supervisor
When I first heard about a goTRG opening in Blacksburg, South Carolina, I was a stay-at-home mom considering entering the workforce again. Before motherhood, I had worked in grocery stores for several years. I had no concept of the reverse logistics industry, but I heard great things about goTRG. I heard it was a fast-growing company that could offer competitive benefits and a career development path. My husband and I agreed– this was the opportunity worth pursuing.
goTRG initially hired me as a temp worker to inspect TVs on the production line. I had never done anything like that before. As a former grocery store associate, I was always customer-facing. I dealt with complaints, but I wasn’t responsible for the quality of the products. As a goTRG line worker, I faced an entirely new situation. Fortunately, I worked with a trainer who helped me understand goTRG’s grading process, identify imperfections, and apply the right screws, stands, and other parts to each TV. My most significant learning curve was picking out the right parts because they often change from one model to the next.
When I first started, I was in an entirely unknown territory at goTRG with no concept of my future path. Moreover, the Blacksburg facility had just relocated from Oklahoma City and faced many start-up obstacles. Through it all, I stuck with the company because I always had support and recognition. Peter Mathis initially managed the facility with great care. After he left, Alex Spangler became my supervisor and was accessible whenever I needed help.
goTRG’s leaders always took notice when I was doing a good job. That made me want to work harder and learn all the different processes, from the production line to quality control. Within a short time, they promoted me to Senior Line Lead, and I was so excited for the opportunity. As goTRG grew into a larger, more successful operation, I was so grateful to grow professionally alongside it. Crazy to think that was only the beginning.
After Alex moved up, I got promoted again and became a Supervisor. The Supervisor role was a huge transition. I was nervous, but luckily Alex was always available to guide me. Ron Divers was also critical during that phase. Ron pushed me past my comfort zone and encouraged me to learn R1 to excel in my role. Anything I needed; any silly questions I had–he would answer without judgment.
Fortunately, I had worked on the production line for so long that I already knew everyone on the team when I got promoted. I knew everyone’s strengths and struggles and could easily direct them because we had solid relationships. We respected each other. I wasn’t a newbie off the street. I knew the process, and I worked hard to support the department, ensuring we met our production goals without sacrificing quality.
A little more than a year ago, goTRG launched a TV program in Walmart’s Spartanburg , SC, facility and asked me to be a Senior Supervisor at the new location. They explained my role would be similar to what I did in Blacksburg, but I would also be responsible for order processing, and I wouldn’t have senior teammates to turn to for help. I would be “alone” in Spartanburg with one other supervisor and a team of 20+ line workers looking to me for answers.
If there was a problem, I’d have to step up and figure it out on my own or call someone for emergencies. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I could do it, but Ron suggested I go. He believed in me, so I chose to believe in myself. Luckily I was never really alone. Jason Mullins, Jeremi Witten, Brenda Malpha, and Adam Watkins were really hands-on. They coached me for a month, showed me the entire orders process, and checked in with me continuously after training to offer additional support.
goTRG’s leaders continue to support me to this day as I troubleshoot the multiple layers of COVID-related challenges. My biggest hurdle right now is trying to get the lines staffed and the materials in place to produce our daily quota. It’s been tough, but we’re coming out on the other side. We’re getting trailers in, we’re finding workarounds, and we’re asking people to put in more hours. If we can’t find enough people, I get on the line to support the team.
I’m certainly not the first or only manager to do this. I’m inspired by so many outstanding examples of teamwork from top to bottom at goTRG. Teamwork is one of our core values and every teammate from line workers to supervisors to general managers and executives embody that value by helping each other every day. I’ve seen Brady Holzhauer and Luis Alvarado, who work on the Account Management team, moving pallets and loading trucks. They don’t care about their titles. They’re ready to get their hands dirty for the greater good. That mentality is what I love most about goTRG and why I hope to continue supporting our mission for years to come.
I don’t plan to stop here as a Senior Supervisor. I hope to eventually lead one of goTRG’s facilities so I can support others on their journey to success.
