Understanding Seasonal Variability in Warehousing
Seasonal fluctuations are a major challenge in warehouse logistics and operations. During peak seasons such as holidays, back-to-school, product launches, or summer clearances warehouses have fluctuations in demand.
Meeting these fluctuating demands is a challenge warehouses have been dealing with every year.
During these busy seasons inventory can overflow or be in shortages. Workers can often become burnt out when warehouses are working on full steam for weeks on end. And with burnt out workers and inventory shortages deliveries can be messed up or missed. Missed deliveries are a worst case scenario that is costly to warehouses.
Strategies to Prepare for Seasonal Fluctuations
There are some actionable strategies warehouse managers can use to anticipate and mitigate seasonal disruptions.
Forecasting Demand Accurately
Forecasting demand is the first step in preparing for the busy season. To forecast demand use historical sales data, marketing trends, and demand planning software. Use this data to create a map of what past seasons demand was like to help predict the future of demand.
It is important to also consider external factors such as tariffs, consumer behavior shifts, and supply chain delays.
Integrations ERP or WMS can help track and predict seasonal demands.
Warehouse Layout Optimization
Warehouse layout is important for optimization. Take note of what SKUs are in high demand and have high-turnover. Reorganizing the space so that these SKUs can be accessed quickly and easily can boost optimization and speed.
There are many types of racking systems of shelving that are built specifically for specific warehouse needs. Research the kinds of warehouse shelving and storage and the specific needs of your warehouse to decide which system would be the most efficient.
Efficient zoning and organization can reduce travel time for pickers and forklifts which boost efficiency and speed for the shipping processes.
Cross-Training and Standardization
Cross training is the process of training warehouse workers to work in multiple roles. This would include training workers to work as pickers, packers, sorters, and more.
Creating a standardized operating procedure can help to increase optimization and efficiency.
Flexible Staffing with On-Demand Platforms
Flexibility in staffing is a keystone to adapting to seasonal shifts. Temp labor is a tool warehouses have utilized during peak periods. Traditional temp agencies are the old school way to find warehouse staff. Staffing apps, like Bacon, are the modern tech driven way to staff warehouse shifts.
Limitations of Traditional Temp Agencies
Temp agencies near you have processes that have changed little in the decades they have existed. Time consuming and manual process onboarding processes result in a slow process that is inflexible.
Because of slow and inflexible processes, warehouses using temp agencies can’t scale their warehouse temp staffing up or down to meet demand in real time.
Temp agencies are also rarely transparent and leave managers wondering how much does a temp agency charge per hour.
Benefits of On-Demand Staffing Platforms
On-demand staffing platforms are the modern solution to find warehouse workers. With the tech driven solution managers get real-time access to pre-background workers in their area.
With features like rating systems and the Bacon Score managers can accurately see the reliability of workers before they are accepted to work a shift.
Warehouse job apps don’t have long term contracts like temp agencies. This allows warehouses to scale the number of temporary warehouse workers to meet real time demand.
Managers post the shifts they need filled, they outline the shift requirements. Managers can use staffing apps to find pickers and packers, sorters, or forklift drivers.
Workers use the app to pick up warehouse shifts that fit their schedule.
Conclusion: Build Resilience Through Staffing Agility
Seasonal variability isn't going away, but strategies like better forecasting and on-demand labor are tools to get the most out of the busy season.
Using staffing apps managers gain a plug and play bench of workers ready to meet fluctuating demands. Warehouses can hire picking and packing workers or general warehouse workers.
Consider switching from traditional temp agencies to more dynamic solutions that match the pace of modern warehousing.
