Postmaster General Restructures U.S. Postal Service

Postmaster General Restructures U.S. Postal Service
Layers Eliminated, Officer Ranks Reduced

WASHINGTON — A 16 percent reduction to the officer ranks, realigning revenue-generating business units and closing one Area office are among steps taken today by Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe to create a leaner, faster, smarter U.S. Postal Service.

While cost savings will be realized, the main objective of the restructuring is to enhance and strengthen customer service and relationships. The realignment flattens the organization, enabling flexibility to more quickly adapt to changing market forces and continuing mail volume decline.

The actions today also provide a more integrated focus toward accomplishing key business goals: Strengthening the business-to-consumer channel; improving the customer experience; competing for the package business; and becoming a leaner, faster and smarter organization.

“It is imperative that the Postal Service continue its evolution as a forward-thinking, fast-acting company capable of providing quality products and services for customers and a welcoming, diverse, professional workplace,” Donahoe said.

Major changes include:

  • Developing both market dominant and competitive products now is the responsibility of one officer, the vice president of Domestic Products. Where those products are sold – in retail, online or in alternative spaces – becomes the responsibility of the vice president of Channel Access.
  • All customer interaction and support, whether for large corporations, small businesses or individual consumers, will be the responsibility of the vice president of Consumer and Industry Affairs. The Consumer Advocate remains a vital part of customer service and will report to this officer.
  • The engineering technology and systems that keep mail moving and prepare the Postal Service for the future of mail, including Intelligent Mail, will become an integral part of the Information Technology department.
  • All Human Resources functions will be led by the Chief Human Resources Officer, supported by the vice presidents of Labor Relations and Employee Resource Management.
  • The Chief Sustainability Officer will continue the leadership role in greening the Postal Service and the mailing industry. This officer will report to the Deputy Postmaster General.
  • The senior vice president title has been eliminated.

The Southeast Area Office, based in Memphis, TN, will be closed to help streamline Postal operations. All previous Southeastern districts now will report to the Southwest Area Office, with two exceptions: Tennessee District will report to Eastern Area and Atlanta District will report to Capital Metro Area. No implementation date has been established yet.

“The Postal Service is committed to making necessary changes to continue to provide quality service to our customers and to reinforce the value of the mail,” Donahoe said. “Ensuring customer satisfaction is the ultimate goal of all plans and strategies we develop.”

2 Responses to "Postmaster General Restructures U.S. Postal Service"

  1. Finally a PMG with a brain for business and eyes that see the true problem. As a union letter carrier; I wll take a dollar on the hour cut if he fires and eliminates every management job from local postmasters all the up to senior postmaster. Marvin Runyon had it right years ago when he said “if you don’t touch the mail, then you are unnecessary overhead”.
    I hope Mr. Donahoe would look at some of the retreads we have in Chattanooga, Tn and the district manager in Nashville. Chattanooga had gone from being one of the most productive areas to one of the least because of the heavy handed, incompetent management we unfortunately are plagued with.

  2. Dionosars did not adapt. I am glad to learn the top Postal managent is acting to adapt the Postal Service to fluid and changing economy.

    I earnestly hope the United States Dollar does not lose the long held position of Reserve Currency for the world. If it did American citizens would have to pay for fuel in the currency of other nations when oil is imported. The sharp price increase in fuel cost would harshly impact the Postal Service and many other entities.

    Postmaster General Donahoe, I sincerely wish you success in your efforts to preserve the Postal Service.

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