I have recently started a new job, where I am now in essence the Supply Chain Manager for a small company that has several locations across my province (Canada). Two of the people that work for this company applied for my position. One of whom, took the approach "what can I learn?" This is good. It is the other employee, who is causing issues.
Background on my history with this employee:
She is quite a bit older than I am (13 years older), has been with the company for 2.5 years, was hired as the Admin. Assistant and ended up spending the past 18 months assisting my predecessor with his responsibilities.
Now, the company wants to take a new (more quantitative) approach to their Supply Chain, hence my hire as that is my direct background and I have done what they are trying to do in two different firms now, despite being relatively young.
Additionally, she is not a direct report - she is kind of on her own reporting to the Branch Manager of my location (I report to the CEO and my team is spread across most of our locations).
Problems with the employee:
Since starting, she has tried to position herself as "my replacement when I am not here."
Additionally, she takes her time on the simple things (like ordering office supplies, as per her responsibilities), or failing to be able to assist in simple tasks that I give her.
These failings have led me to believe she doesn't have the understanding needed to help in the more intricate dealings of purchasing and logistics, as she doesn't show a drive to figure out the reason why things occur and determine a solution.
Instead she frequently takes the easy route (e.g. adjusting inventory before verifying it wasn't missed when the order was picked, etc.).
An attitude like that will compound problems, and make year end a nightmare - something I have been told to assist in changing and streamlining.
My problem/question:
I truly believe that she is a capable person, but she does not have the drive to learn how to use quantitative analysis for supply chain management or inventory control. Her go to phrase is, "I'm bad at math."
Recently, while away from work for a personal matter, she added to some documents for an external company that has my name on it, and when asked not to do that she responded with, "Ok, whatever."
I want to build a good, functional, working relationship with her. However, I am puzzled as to how to go about it. She seems to be either wilfully unwilling to learn and build, given the mandate I have been openly given by the Regional Manager - or just resentful that I got the job (despite being far more qualified and capable than she).
I am looking for solutions that are not of the "she gotta go" variety, as to me that is a last resort. Any thoughts or suggestions as to how to build the relationship we need?