Hiring someone to help with inventory management (sales, organization, stock)
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I am at a point where I may need to hire someone to manage my inventory. Watching stock, creating PO's, etc. This would be at least part time.
I can do it myself. I have been doing it for 15 years. Problem? I am hitting a wall when I want to start looking for someone with the qualifications?
This may sound crazy but I am not sure what I need to look for in a persons skill set ? Outsourcing options since this is all online sales?
Thoughts?
Thanks!
I would look for a software solution first particularly since it is all online sales. I don't know what accounting software package you are using but there are tons of integration opportunities for QuickBooks that can automate just about any process. Even simply using QuickBooks point of sale can automate the P.O. process for the most part.
From personal experience, rigid organization and setting par levels are key. In theatres, concession stock and cashier tills are often inventoried multiple times in a day. There is simply no way this is practical or possible without pre-set levels and extreme organization.
I would look for a software solution first particularly since it is all online sales. I don't know what accounting software package you are using but there are tons of integration opportunities for QuickBooks that can automate just about any process. Even simply using QuickBooks point of sale can automate the P.O. process for the most part.
Thanks
I have looked into software solutions with minimal luck. I need a package that imports orders from ebay, amazon, csv files. From there it would be easy to do, yes.
I agree with the OCD personality requirement (I don't have it and would completely screw up your inventory).
The best thing you can do is spend a couple days writing down your processes exactly the way your employee would do it. That will help with hiring ("Here's what you will do"), it helps with training and might highlight the most important skills.
Alternatively, you could think about hiring a computer techie on a short term contract basis to get things more automated so you could spend much less time doing it yourself. Lot's of people out there that could do it, and would leave you in control.
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someone OCD about details and drilling out alternative solutions. (You want someone with the answers, NOT a PITA 'nagger'.
Experienced and creative (I personally would look for an 'early retiree' who has a wealth of broad experience)
Self starter and sufficient (to leave you free to WORK)
Reliable (to free you from worry / covering THEM + YOU)
Honest, integrity.
Someone you can give scenarios to during interview, and they amaze you with their robust and confident solutions.
Complimentary skill set to your own (help in directing the business to new success)
Thanks
I have looked into software solutions with minimal luck. I need a package that imports orders from ebay, amazon, csv files. From there it would be easy to do, yes.
Jason
I private msgd you a program I've been using for what seems like 10 years, that does all of what you need.. Importing orders, emailing customers, creating PO's, integrating with postage. I assume I can post the company name here, not being affiliated with them and thus I dont think it would classify as spam.
You can tell by reading my other 30,000+ postings that I NEVER promote individual companies, so the fact that I am here, tells you how confident I am with their product. My 1-2 person, internet company does 10,000 sales a week, millions of products in the inventory, and auto creates po's from 2,000 vendors. I couldnt live without this product. Trust me, I've tried.. Qbon
Last edited by pghquest; 07-23-2011 at 03:47 PM..
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Qbon
