Conor Flynn: A Key Player in Mercury’s Logistics Team

Meet Conor Flynn: Elevating Logistics Experience at Mercury

Meet Conor Flynn, our dedicated Logistics Guide at Mercury, whose journey from Buffalo, NY, to Columbus, OH, has been fueled by a passion for positive culture and career growth. Conor thrives on playing an integral role in enhancing global health and safety through logistics, ensuring that clients receive timely updates and support for their shipments.

The previous experiences of Conor have shaped his approach to relationship-building, and his commitment to transparency and effective communication has earned him the trust of clients and colleagues alike. With a focus on problem-solving and a genuine care for each shipment, Conor exemplifies the spirit of teamwork and dedication that defines Mercury.

What inspired you to join Mercury as a Logistics Guide, and what excites you most about your role here?

When I moved from Buffalo, NY, to Columbus, OH, I was searching for a company that exhibited a positive culture and provided opportunities for career growth; this is how our roads are crossed with Mercury. What excites me most about my role is that I play an integral part in ensuring our clients continue and improve the health and safety of the world. 

Can you describe a typical day in your position at Mercury?

My day begins by coordinating with our international partners on status updates on current/pending shipments. From there I proceed to update each client on the next steps and let them know the game plan for getting their shipment(s) delivered. Once organized, I then proceed to oversee a variety of incoming shipments ranging from import/export to same-day courier requests. Consistently tracking and keeping the clients informed is one of the biggest things I focus on daily.

How does your previous experience influence your work at Mercury?

Having the opportunity to work at Ingram Micro and Lawley Insurance was truly a blessing. Both of those companies have proven year after year how great it is to work for them, and their consistent success in their industries is proof of the pudding. These jobs allowed me to learn the importance of relationship building with clients and have allowed me to find a vision for where I want my career to lead. Will forever be thankful for my time at those companies. 

What are some of the key challenges you face in logistics, and how do you overcome them?

Logistics is a fast-paced, ever-changing industry. Considering we deal with many specialty cold chain shipments, if they’re ever delayed domestically or internationally, we need to strategize and act quickly. To overcome moments of stress like this, you need to think before you react. By that, I mean you need to consider your approach (do I contact the airline first, do I reach out to our partner first, do I let the client know first). From there, contacting the appropriate party to ensure the cargo is being properly cared for is most important. After arrangements are made, keeping the client informed and being transparent with what happened is how you can continue to earn the client’s trust and loyalty. 

How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration with your team and other departments at Mercury?

By checking in with my teammates daily to see where their work stands, if they could use any insight or assistance, always being available to them even after hours. Making sure everyone has all their work in order daily allows us to function better not only as a team but Mercury as a whole. Reaching out to other colleagues also allows you to bring back valuable information you can relay to your team so everyone is improving each day. 

Can you share a recent project you worked on at Mercury that you are particularly proud of?

Recently, I completed an export of laboratory equipment for one of our great clients, PepGen. The task at hand was to export the equipment to Cambridge in the UK. I was able to coordinate and get approval to proceed from our international team quickly as I provided all the information in a very transparent manner. From there, I was able to book the routing and pickup promptly, as the client wanted this cargo shipped ASAP. While doing this, I was giving the client a play by play and letting them know the next steps while in transit so they didn’t have to consistently check in for updates. Once delivered, I connected with the client again, and they were ecstatic about how smooth and easy I made this process for them. By doing so, they graciously gave me and the Echo Squad a 5/5, which is what we strive for each shipment.

What skills have you found to be most valuable in your role as a Logistics Guide?

My ability to connect on a personal level has helped build the trust of current clients and has been able to ease the transition of new clients as well. By staying organized and being in consistent communication with clients daily goes to show everything Mercury promises to their clients comes to fruition, and the results are there to prove it. 

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in logistics?

You have to care about what you do and the impact what you’re doing has on others. Before Mercury, I had no prior background in logistics. To succeed in this field, you need to look at each shipment like it’s your own. If you were shipping a crucial package or sample, or anything for that matter, wouldn’t you want daily and accurate updates as well? To be an asset, you need to show you’re willing to learn from your mistakes, be a team player, and stay organized. Ensuring the client is always informed, good news or bad, will show you care and are willing to do whatever is necessary.

How do you approach problem-solving when faced with logistical challenges?

In these instances, you have to be calculated, considering delays or other issues that pop up could stem from something that we didn’t cause. It’s important to stay calm and not overreact, the best course of action here is to be strategic. Realizing the issue at hand and breaking down the options you have is what makes or breaks the shipment. When I find myself in these situations, all I can think about is doing everything in my power to get this rectified in the most efficient way possible. While doing so, you need to keep the client in mind and informed. Easing the situation to get everything back on track is key in times like this. 

What do you appreciate most about the culture at Mercury?

Everyone around you, on your team or not, Columbus or Boston office, is always willing to give you a hand at any time. You can be yourself around everyone, and Mercury has stressed the importance of having a work-life balance as well, which is greatly appreciated. Everyone has bought into the core values Mercury preaches daily, and by doing so, there is no limit to where this company can go.