Chris Zoeller
1. What is your name, current title, and number of years you have worked at Zoeller?
Chris Zoeller
Corporate Supply Chain Manager
Worked at Zoeller for 18 years
2. Can you give a summary of you career?
Worked for Industrial Belting & Transmission for 10 years – started working there as an accounts payable clerk, worked my way up to inventory control, purchasing, and was the Operations Manager when I left.
Came to Zoeller in 2005, started working as a buyer, moved to senior buyer in 2006, transferred to Flint & Walling in 2008 as their Operations Manager, transferred back to Louisville in 2013 as Operations Manager, moved to current Corporate Supply Chain Manager position in 2021.
3. Can you share the most exciting project or initiative at Zoeller and why it was so exciting?
When Flint & Walling initially got the Lowe’s business – Lowe’s literally resets these areas completely – meaning they ship all the existing product on their shelve from their previous supplier back to the new supplier and the new supplier must ship them all the products needed to fully restock their shelves.
Since there are over 1500 Lowe’s stores – this is a massive project. We had to build up all the inventory needed for the ‘pipeline’ fill and simultaneously coordinate shipping back/receiving all the return shipments. We literally had truckloads of return shipments coming in everyday to the point we did not have enough labor to receive all of these so we ended up accumulating 10+ semi-trailers full of product in the parking lot as that was the only overflow option we could think of.
I lead the effort of having the first robot installed at Zoeller Pump Company.
4. What do you feel is the best thing about Zoeller’s culture?
The way family and values are important. Most companies say this, but Zoeller means it.
5. What do you like to do with your free time?
Golf, go for walks with my wife, hike, work with high school and college age – discussing career options and helping them develop a plan to achieve their career goals.