Introduction
Rising ecommerce demand, faster shipping expectations, SKU growth are putting increased pressure on warehouses. Picking and packing can often be a bottleneck in warehouse efficiency.
A strong picker packer strategy can increase accuracy, speed, lower labor costs, and have better throughput. With smart workflows, trained staff, tech support, and flexible temp labor options, warehouses can create a picker packer environment that scales without chaos.
What Is a Picker Packer Strategy?
Explained simply pickers retrieve ordered products and packers prepare orders for shipment. Having a strategy matters because just grabbing stuff and boxing it is an inefficient process. Structured workflows can cut travel time, reduce errors, and speed order cycles.
Key Goals of a Picker Packer Strategy
- Reduce steps
- Improve accuracy
- Shorten fulfillment time
Types of Picking & Packing Methods
Your strategy should match SKU volume, order size, and fulfillment model.
A few types of picking and packing methods include, piece picking, which is best for smaller, diverse orders. Batch picking, which is great for multiple orders with similar SKUs.
Zone picking is efficient in large warehouses with defined zones. Wave picking combines orders by schedule or shipping window. Lastly cross-docking and direct pack workflows are best for high-velocity inventory turns.
Technologies to Support Picker Packer Efficiency
Using technologies to support picker packer efficiency can be a useful tool. These include WMS with real time picking instructions, Barcode scanners and RFID, and mobile devices
When using a technology consider how it connects to the whole picture of warehouse efficiency.
Labor Strategy for Efficient Picking and Packing
Peak demand and labor shortages result in high stress for managers. To build a reliable team maintain a core team of trained pickers and packers. Build a flex labor bench for seasonal and daily volume spikes.
Using warehouse job apps like Bacon managers can track worker reliability and skills. Using a warehouse job app instead of calling temp agencies near you is a faster and more efficient way to staff warehouse shifts.
Instead of waiting for traditional warehouse temp staffing resources, Bacon lets managers find warehouse staff with ratings and experience. Workers can pick up warehouse shifts that fit their schedules.
Managers find pickers and packers through Bacon can scale their workforce up or down to meet real time demand.
Step-by-Step Implementation Plan
Step 1: Analyze your current pick pack workflow
Analyze your travel time mapping, order volume trends and SKU slotting efficiency. Find places where you could benefit from new hire picking and packing workers.
Step 2: Choose your picking packing model
Based on step 1 choose a picking and packing model that works for your warehouse goals.
Step 3: Build workstation layouts
Fixing the small things can lead to large improvements. Building efficient workstation layouts can help increase productivity. Ergonomic packing stations and efficient labeling and packing supply setup can save time and money.
Step 4: Implement tech & tools
Using tech and tools can also streamline your processes. WMS, scanners, and mobile devices are just a few of the tech tools available to warehouses.
Step 5: Structure your labor plan
Build your core team to cover the base level of needs. Then find warehouse workers to be flexible temp labor to staff for variable demand.
Cross training workers can also be a valuable part of a labor plan. This ensures that all departments can be covered in an emergency.
Step 7: Measure and optimize
No plan is complete without measuring and optimizing. Track KPIs and take steps to optimize your strategy.
Key Metrics to Monitor
- Picks per hour
- Packing accuracy rate
- Order lead time
- Workers productivity by shift
- Cost per item shipped
- Labor utilization rate
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few tips to avoid common mistakes in labor strategies. Avoid over-relying on manual processes. Look out for poor slotting and warehouse layout inefficiencies.
Account for peak season surges and the increase in labor that will be needed. Don’t scrabble for labor at the last minute. Build a plan and team beforehand to be able to adapt quickly.
Conclusion
Picking and packing is the engine of fulfillment. The warehouses that win aren't the ones that work hardest; they work smartest and scale labor when demand spikes.Level up your picking and packing team fast. Find reliable temporary warehouse workers and staff warehouse shifts in minutes with Bacon.
