Andrew Poole knows that running an efficient operation is about more than just moving product – it’s also about moving the needle on sustainability. As Inbound Operations Manager at Wayfair’s fulfillment center in Romeoville, IL, Andrew has spent the past two and a half years streamlining how goods are received and stored at one of our highest-volume sites, all while guiding his team through major process improvements.
Andrew is also helping shape a more sustainable future for Wayfair. He recently led the launch of a new initiative focused on embedding eco-conscious practices into daily operations and continues to champion our company-wide goal of reaching zero waste by 2030.
Want to learn more about how we’re driving responsible business practices across Wayfair? Explore our 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report.
Read on to see how Andrew is making an impact on the ground for Wayfair’s Romeoville Fulfillment Center.
You recently led a major recycling project. Can you walk us through what it involved and how it helped move Wayfair and the Romeoville Fulfillment Center closer to our
Zero Waste goals?
Driven by a long-standing passion for sustainability, I was given the opportunity by our Site Director, John Hailer, to lead our efforts as the site sustainability champion. This role became a formal operational pillar in Romeoville, IL, aligning with Wayfair’s broader Zero Waste goal.
At the start of the initiative, our site was diverting only 19% of its waste from landfill – an area with clear potential for improvement, especially as one of the fastest-growing, high-volume sites in the network. Using Lean Six Sigma methodology, we assessed our waste-handling processes, identified inefficiencies and implemented targeted solutions.
Through cross-functional collaboration, we redesigned processes to better guide team members in separating waste materials and maximizing diversion opportunities. These efforts resulted in a significant improvement – raising our waste diversion rate from 19% to as high as 41%.Moving forward, we expect these changes to deliver approximately $40,000 in annual cost savings while diverting an estimated 350 metric tons of waste from landfills. It’s a meaningful step in making our operations more sustainable and contributing to Wayfair’s Zero Waste by 2030 initiative.
Congratulations on achieving the Six Sigma Yellow Belt Award! Can you tell us more about this award?
Thank you! Earning the Six Sigma Yellow Belt Award was a great opportunity to apply structured problem-solving to a challenge that directly impacted both site performance and sustainability. The project allowed me to take a deep dive into key operational inefficiencies, with the goal of not only improving day-to-day processes but also contributing to Wayfair’s Zero Waste initiative.
Through site-wide observations and data analysis, I was able to identify process gaps and engage in meaningful collaboration with multiple departments. This cross-functional partnership helped surface barriers to efficiency and opened the door to implement practical, sustainable solutions.
Ultimately, this project was about driving operational excellence while also making a measurable environmental impact – demonstrating that efficiency and sustainability can go hand in hand.
What does sustainability mean to you and why are you passionate about increasing recycling efforts across Wayfair? Why should others care about sustainability and recycling?
For me, sustainability is both a practical responsibility and a personal passion. From a business perspective, operating with a sustainability mindset makes sense – it drives efficiency, reduces waste and can lead to significant cost savings. Practices like reducing, reusing and recycling not only support our bottom line but also strengthen our role as a responsible member of the community.
On a personal level, my passion for sustainability comes from being a father of three young children. I want to help ensure that the environment they grow up in is one they can enjoy and be proud of for years to come.
Everyone should care about sustainability because it affects us all – our health, our communities and our future. The choices we make today have a lasting impact, and by working together to improve recycling and reduce waste, we can create a more sustainable world for the next generation.
What successes are you most proud of during your time at Wayfair?
I feel incredibly fortunate that my time at Wayfair has been filled with both challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Early on, I joined the site within its first six months of operation, helping to support and scale our night shift team. From there, I transitioned to lead our front half days team (managing the highest volume shift at the site) which was both a demanding and rewarding experience.
But what I’m most proud of is the incredible team here in Romeoville, IL. It’s truly an honor to support such a dedicated, hard-working group every day.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
Every business is a people business. Regardless of the labels or specific focus on the business, it always comes down to people.
Who inspires you the most each and every day?
My kids inspire me the most every single day.
I work hard not only to provide for them, but also to set an example by showing them the value of a strong work ethic, the importance of continuous improvement and the power of innovation.
Everything I do is driven by the hope that they’ll grow up understanding what it means to work with purpose and to make a positive impact.