From Temporary Associate to Warehouse Supervisor: How Marcus Chisholm Built a Career of Empowering Others in Charlotte

 

True internal mobility is a dynamic process—an invitation to explore your potential, build diverse skill sets, and expand your impact as you grow. Our "Joy of the Journey" ethos celebrates the freedom to design a career path that moves with your ambitions.  

Nobody embodies this principle better than Marcus Chisholm, Warehouse Supervisor, Charlotte, North Carolina. Over his nine-year tenure, Marcus has charted a remarkable trajectory from front-line execution to strategic people leadership, demonstrating that BIC World is an environment where employees are never limited by where they start.  

The Strategic Timeline: A Path Driven by Ownership & Growth 

  • April 2017: Joined BIC as a Temporary Warehouse Associate through Kelly Services in Charlotte, NC.  
  • May 2017: Hired full-time as a Production & Shipping Forklift Driver.  
  • 2018: Transitioned to OT Driver in Warehouse 1/2.  
  • March 2020: Promoted to Warehouse 3 Master Loader (Shipping).  
  • January 2022: Advanced to Forklift Trainer & EHS Support.  
  • October 2025: Promoted to Warehouse Supervisor (Charlotte Packaging).  

 

The Reality Shift: From Execution to Strategic People Leadership 

On day one at BIC, Marcus’s focus was grounded in operational task execution: learning the ropes and fulfilling daily duties on the warehouse floor. Today, his day-to-day work directly steers operational excellence, process improvement, and team development.  

"The biggest difference between my first day at BIC and my day-to-day reality now is the level of ownership and responsibility I have. When I started as a temporary warehouse associate, my focus was on completing my assigned tasks and learning the job. Today, my focus is on leading people, making operational decisions, improving processes, and delivering results for the business. My mindset has also changed significantly—I no longer think only about the work in front of me; I think about how my decisions impact the team, our customers, and the overall operation."  

This steady vertical progression was driven by a deep desire to step into leadership and empower others.  

"I pursued my last career move because I wanted to make a bigger impact on the business by becoming a people leader. Throughout my time at BIC, I found the most rewarding part of my role was training and developing others. Becoming a Warehouse Supervisor has given me the opportunity to develop people, improve operations, foster a culture of accountability and teamwork, and drive continuous improvement across the Charlotte Packaging operation."  

An Organizational Safety Net Built on Team Empowerment 

Navigating a transition from an individual contributor to a supervisor requires more than personal drive—it requires an organizational culture that invests in leadership development. For Marcus, key catalysts included transparent leadership, targeted HR initiatives, and collaborative peers.  

"My manager understood that I was stepping into leadership without previous supervisor experience and helped create opportunities for training, development, and exposure to the responsibilities of leading a team. He encouraged me to learn the business from a leadership perspective and provided guidance as I developed my own leadership style."  

Marcus highlights that support extended across all levels: 

"The HR team also played an important role by providing resources such as lunch-and-learns focused on leadership responsibilities, compliance, and understanding the people side of the role... My peers supported my growth by helping me learn the operation and providing different viewpoints that helped me make better business decisions. I took those lessons and applied them by improving communication and accountability within my team through clearer processes, standard work charts, and SOPs."  

Making a Meaningful Contribution: Creating More Leaders 

At the core of the "Joy of the Journey" is the fulfillment that comes from making a lasting, meaningful impact. For Marcus, that contribution centers on elevating those around him and optimizing daily operations.  

"At BIC, making a meaningful contribution means more than just completing daily tasks; it means creating an impact that helps people and the business succeed. In my current role as a Warehouse Supervisor, I have the opportunity to make that contribution by developing people, strengthening my team, and creating an environment where employees can grow and succeed."  

"One of the accomplishments I'm most proud of is developing Louis and Falicia into stronger leaders by coaching, mentoring, and giving them opportunities to take ownership. Seeing Falicia grow and move into the Production Specialist role has been one of the moments I am most proud of because it shows the impact that coaching, trust, and development can have on someone's career. I believe leadership is about creating more leaders, not just managing tasks."  

Marcus' Advice: Take Ownership and Trust the Process 

Reflecting on his growth journey from temporary associate to operations leader, Marcus emphasizes that career growth is achievable for anyone willing to take initiative and step outside their comfort zone.  

"My advice to anyone considering a career at BIC, or to a Team Member looking to grow, is to take ownership, stay willing to learn, and do not limit yourself based on where you start. My own journey is an example that growth is possible when you are open to challenges, build relationships, and continue developing yourself."  

"Leadership does not start when you receive a title; it starts when you take the initiative to help others, support your team, and find ways to make the operation better. The biggest thing is to be patient and trust the process. BIC provides opportunities for people who are willing to put in the effort and continue growing." 

 

Are you ready to create your own journey? Explore Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Operational Roles at BIC World.