How to Create a Warehouse Staffing Plan That Actually Works For You

Whether you’re using your storing goods for your own operations or for clients, warehouse staffing can be a challenge. Your need for workers can fluctuate quite a bit, especially around the holidays. During busy seasons, you can easily find yourself short staffed, but at other times, you might not need many people on the floor.

Warehouse employers need people to take inventory, monitor supply levels, book couriers and transportation, and more. Here are some tips to help you maintain the right warehouse staffing levels.

USE METRICS TO CREATE A WAREHOUSE STAFFING PLAN

Most businesses track their performance throughout the year. If you have these kinds of metrics, your past performance can help you figure out how many warehouse workers you need at any given time.

Look at the historical trends for your warehouse needs. Many warehouses tend to be busy in December and less busy in January, for example. You can use this kind of data to predict how many staff members you’ll need at different times.

You should also look at current productivity and order levels. If you’re getting more orders now or have less experienced, less productive employees than in the past, you will probably need more staff.

POST JOBS EARLY

When you use metrics, you can often anticipate when your staffing needs will increase. That means you plan for more warehouse staffing when you need it and post jobs early.

When the hiring isn’t as urgent, you have more time to find good candidates. You’re more likely to get the job filled, and more likely to end up with high-caliber employees. You also have a lot less stress about potential staffing shortages!

BUILD A REFERRAL PROGRAM

Networking isn’t just for white-collar employees. Long-term warehouse workers often know other dependable workers who are looking for work, and they can recommend them when you’re looking to hire. 

You can encourage your warehouse employees to refer people in their network to jobs through a referral program. Referral programs give employees an incentive for successful referrals, such as a cash bonus.

OFFER ENTICING BENEFITS

Employee benefits are extremely important for attracting warehouse talent at all levels. In our current tight labor market, employers need to offer more to attract quality job applicants.

The three types of benefits employees care about most are:

• Great health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Flexible work options

If your company wants to go above and beyond, or if these benefits aren’t attracting enough candidates, consider adding more benefits like student loan assistance, tuition assistance, or paid family leave. Many employees at all levels have student loans to pay off, even if they didn’t complete their degree.

Of course, for many employees, the most important benefit is great pay. Advertising high wages for the job title will help you attract more and better candidates.

CREATE A WAREHOUSE STAFFING PLAN WITH A STAFFING AGENCY

Temporary workers from a staffing agency can often help with fluctuating warehouse orders. You will want some permanent employees, too, but being able to bring on temp workers when needed will give you some flexibility.

As shipments rise, you can hire temp workers to help. As operations slow, the temp workers can move on to other opportunities. Having a temp agency on hand can also help you with situations like employee sick leave, vacations, and other absences.

A staffing agency can streamline the hiring and recruiting process for you. Staffing agencies are skilled in finding and placing both temporary and permanent employees, which makes it easy to flexibly manage your workforce. We can also free up your time from hiring so you can get back to the work that matters most.

At LG Resources, we can help with temporary or permanent warehouse staffing solutions. We also offer consulting to help you build a better employee benefits package. We have helped countless employers find qualified candidates for every warehouse job specialty, including:

• Production
• Shipping / Receiving
• Order Fulfillment
• Pallet Sorting / Coordinating
• Lumpers
• Pickers/Kitters

Contact us today for help with your warehouse staffing needs.