From Operations to Optimization: How Adam Murphy Helps Clients Move with Confidence
Adam Murphy didn’t set out to become a warehouse automation consultant. Like many professionals in the supply chain world, he began his career in operations, managing the chaos of high-volume distribution centers, leading teams, and solving problems where they arose: on the factory floor.
Before joining PL Programs, Adam managed at the largest Frito-Lay distribution facility in the Southeast, where 150,000 units moved weekly to markets across Florida. “It was the only 24-hour Frito-Lay site on the East Coast,” he says. “We touched everything from Disney to Daytona.”
But the operations experience wasn’t the only thing Adam brought to the table. With internships at Amazon, Apple, and PepsiCo, as well as a business degree from the University of Florida, he had gained a comprehensive understanding of the supply chain from every angle, encompassing technology, logistics, and execution.
That cross-functional view is what ultimately led him to PL Programs.
Learning the Art of Project Delivery
When Adam connected with PL Programs, he knew project work was the next step. Still, he didn’t fully understand the extent of effort required to deliver a warehouse automation project from start to finish. “I didn’t realize there was so much methodology behind it,” he says. “There’s a difference between helping with a project and owning it.” The formal project management techniques and competencies he learned during his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification enhanced his operational background.
Adam quickly found himself supporting automation initiatives for a major beverage manufacturer, helping to oversee capacity expansions and managing layered projects that spanned everything from Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to electric yard jockeys.
Today, he leads embedded work for PL Programs, helping clients navigate new warehouse builds, automation upgrades, and systems integrations.
Why It Works: Real-World Experience Meets Project Rigor
What sets Adam apart is the ability to blend real-world experience with structured delivery. He doesn’t just understand the strategy, he knows how it plays out on the ground. And that earns trust from both executives and operators.
“There’s always some resistance when a consultant walks in,” Adam says. “But once I start talking to ops managers about slotting or throughput, they realize, I’ve done this before. I know what they’re up against.”
That trust opens doors, especially when warehouse teams need to adapt to significant change. Whether it’s a new automation system or a redesigned process flow, Adam believes in empowering site leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to bring their teams along.
“It’s not about selling the solution. It’s about helping leaders own it.”
A Partner on the Journey
Clients lean on Adam and PL Programs not just for their resumes, but because they stay with projects from concept through go-live. From kicking off vendor RFPs to building integrated project schedules and managing testing, Adam guides teams with a steady hand, clear communication, and a sharp eye for risk.
He likens the role to standing at the bow of a ship. While the client navigates new waters, we’re up front, spotting risks before they become problems, helping them steer the right course.”
Whether a first-time warehouse build or a complex automation expansion, Adam brings the perspective, experience, and discipline to help clients confidently move forward.