EDGE Program Empowers Next Generation of Cold Chain Leaders

At Lineage, our Warehouse Supervisors are the members of our facility leadership team that keep the blood of the cold chain pumping. However, after receiving team member feedback, we saw an opportunity to better support the supervisors who are tasked with helping our frontline team members navigate Lineage’s fast-paced environment to help our customers feed the world.

Enter: The Lineage EDGE Program—a segmented cold chain leadership course designed to give our frontline supervisors a leg up on their leadership journey. The EDGE program combines in-depth tactical training, skill building, best practice sharing and opportunities for supervisors to learn from both leaders and one another.

Responding to Challenges in Cold Chain Leadership Development

Historically, our Warehouse Supervisor group has struggled with lower engagement compared to other Lineage team members. In response to this persistent challenge, Lineage HR and Operations leaders came together to share about their experiences and brainstorm solutions based on the feedback shared—What do supervisors need to be successful? How could Lineage do more help them thrive in their roles?

The EDGE program was born directly from that feedback and crafted to become a bedrock onboarding resource for supervisors. This supply chain management course establishes a standardized framework for Lineage team members to learn the fundamentals of cold storage management while regularly assessing their skills and ensuring that they are effectively retaining the knowledge necessary for success.

“Our goal was to integrate a face-to-face workshop experience that allows these leaders to get out of the day-to-day in their warehouse,” shared Christine Rees-Zecha, Lineage’s VP of Talent Development & Culture.

“It’s a space for supervisors to network with their peers and focus solely on their growth as leaders.”

Giving our Cold Chain Leaders an EDGE

Every one of the supervisors in our program has worked hard to reach this level and EDGE is all about both helping them be successful as supervisors and helping them start to think about what might come next.

“We want to make sure people have the tools they need,” says Kelly Burlage, Lineage’s VP of Talent Acquisition. “Whether at Lineage or beyond.”

 Beyond starting off on the right foot, the EDGE program encourages team members to ask questions, think long term about their careers and learn about the skills and experiences that will allow them to reach their next opportunity. From there, each supervisor is empowered to own their development and move forward from the program toward the future career they want to build.

“We’re a company where we really do live by our values,” continues Kelly. “People want to show up, they want to be bold. They want to learn.”

The EDGE program meets our supervisors where they are to do just that. Beyond learning the tools of the trade, participants are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones to flex business muscles that are new to many of them. To do that, the program creates an environment and dynamic where asking questions and expressing yourself is not just safe, but celebrated.

Providing Real Value to EDGE Program Participants and the Teams They Support

Albeit relatively new, the EDGE program is already having a tangible impact not only on the direct participants, but on our network as a whole.

“This [opportunity] has given me a lot of great insights and knowledge to take back to my team,” says Gabe “22” Peter, Warehouse Supervisor at our Henderson, Colorado, facility.

Other participants noted that the program helped them discover their unique leadership styles and how to effectively engage with their team members, building a more cohesive and motivated workplace overall.

But more than that, was the sense of camaraderie and connection built amongst EDGE program cohorts.

As Lane Green, Warehouse Supervisor from Gaston, South Carolina, put it, “For such a large company, Lineage has never felt smaller. This program…has been priceless.”

Looking to the Future of Cold Chain Leadership

Leading a team can be fast-paced and rewarding work, but our supervisors give their all every day. Through the EDGE program, Lineage is working to provide them with valuable experience as they continue to bring their best selves to work.

There will always be challenges to overcome, but by listening to our team members, prioritizing hands-on learning and building a network of unstoppable leaders, we are setting the stage for a brighter future for our supervisors and, ultimately, making Lineage a better place to work for everyone on the team.