At Motivational, we’re proud to spotlight the people behind our success. As part of our Leadership Spotlight series, we’re thrilled to feature Carlos Chavez, our VP of Continuous Improvement. With over two years at Motivational, Carlos has brought his passion, expertise, and innovative thinking to elevate our operations and create lasting impacts for our team and customers.
Proactively Driving Change: A Career Rooted in Improvement
When asked “What initially drew you to this role at Motivational and what has kept you engaged over the past two years?” Carlos shared that he loves helping companies grow and he saw exciting opportunities for this at Motivational.
Carlos’ background spans decades, starting in the 1980’s when he first learned about the Toyota Production System (TPS), Theory of Constraints (TOC), and Six Sigma. These principles became the foundation of his leadership style. By optimizing operations and guiding teams through change, Carlos has consistently driven courageous improvements that benefit both people and processes.
Delivering Results: Projects that Embody Innovation and Care
One of Carlos’ proudest achievements at Motivational so far was optimizing our direct-to-consumer (D2C) activities. The results were impressive: productivity increased by 66% at our Fern facility and 44% at our Van Vliet facility during peak season. “The key,” Carlos emphasizes, “is that we’ve sustained these improvements, ensuring long-term benefits.”
These improvements not only enhanced our internal efficiency but also demonstrated our genuine care for our customers. “By ensuring on-time deliveries, maintaining quality, and using the appropriate workforce, we’ve strengthened our customer relationships and outcomes,” Carlos explains.
A Thoughtful Approach to Improvement
Carlos’ process for identifying areas of improvement combines data analysis with hands-on observation. His Gemba Walks (visits to the warehouses) help him assess flow and pinpoint disruptions. One notable example is the transformation of our Fern warehouse. Carlos helped identify opportunities to improve productivity by addressing waste, constraints, and layout. This led to a 66% productivity boost during the peak season compared to the previous year’s productivity levels.
Success in Carlos’ role is measured through key metrics such as on-time deliveries, quality, slot inventory, safety, and productivity for both D2C and retail operations. By consistently setting and achieving goals, Carlos and his team exemplify the proactive spirit that defines Motivational.
Embracing Innovation to Stay Ahead
Under Carlos’ leadership, Motivational has begun integrating robotics into two of our warehouses to support D2C operations.
Looking ahead, Carlos envisions continuous improvement advancing in three key areas:- Ongoing process optimization
- Incorporating modern technologies like machine learning and AI
- Fostering employee development to create a culture rooted in continuous improvement
“With AI and machine learning integrating with our WMS, we’ll have real-time monitoring and reporting,” Carlos shares. “This will enable better operational analysis and help us identify waste and constraints even more efficiently and strategically.”
Rooted in Family Values: Beyond the Warehouse
Outside of work, Carlos loves spending time with his family. He is also dedicated to his own self-improvement.
“I believe we must always look to improve ourselves as individuals to be better prepared to help companies and individuals.” - Carlos Chavez
A Visionary Leader for Motivational
Carlos Chavez exemplifies the proactive and innovative spirit that defines Motivational’s approach to logistics. With Carlos’ contributions, we are building a better company and a better future for our employees and customers. Carlos’ vision inspires us to continue pushing boundaries and delivering excellence. We are excited to see how his leadership continues to shape Motivational.