Hiring and Training a Warehouse Team

Having a competent staff running the warehouse is crucial for distributor success. These workers ensure all products are stocked on the shelves, packaged correctly, go to the right location and are safely put on the truck.

This is why it’s important to have adequate hiring and training practices at your organization.

According to Terry Blachek, managing director at Franvest Capital Partners, the most important aspect of any hiring and training practice is being prepared.

“It’s one thing to be prepared with a uniform, name tag and paper, but you need to have a planned day-by-day checklist and program ready to train them,” he says. “And not just the checklist, but even the material behind the checklist. Do you have a process ready to go? Think about how you’ll train your staff to complete certain tasks.”

Hiring and Training Checklist

When putting your checklists and programs together, Ryan Johnson, co-founder and senior business advisor at Vivipins, has some tips for the suppliers, for lead times and for quality control:

Safety training so nobody gets hurt

Machine training such that tools are operated the right way

Computer training for software and systems

Culture training so the new recruits understand the “why” of the work

“When training is repeatable and consistent, workers learn faster and fewer mistakes occur,” Johnson says. “That saves money and keeps operations running smoothly.”

Onboarding processes can vary considerably, but a common thread is that they should have practical elements, like those that Johnson describes.

Health and Safety at the Forefront

Wendy Makinson, HR manager at Joloda Hydraroll, suggests other practical elements to cover, such as health and safety requirements, since warehouses are high risk environments.

“Using machinery is often part of working in a warehouse environment,” she says. “While hands-on training is undoubtedly necessary, we believe that formal, classroom training is equally important. This combination builds comprehensive knowledge and confidence.”

Safety training has similar requirements across any warehouse environment, according to Makinson. It must be robust, ongoing, interactive and updated as soon as new risks or processes arise.

“It’s also important to factor in refresher training and peer mentoring,” she suggests. “None of us remember everything we are taught unless we are using that knowledge consistently. Refreshing and supporting our workers’ training ensures that best practice is consistently reinforced, and high standards are maintained.”

Another important aspect of training is technology, which many warehouses rely on to keep things running smoothly.

“At this point, even warehouse employees are expected to have some level of digital literacy, whether it is scanning inventory, operating handhelds or tracking hours,” says founder, principal consultant and CEO of PEO-Marketplace. “Budgeting for at least $500 per employee annually for tech training is an area that companies can often immediately begin to see improvements in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Consider this: a $500 investment in tech training can pay off thousands in human error or noncompliance.”

And, of course, a culture of training employees on the necessary technology tools sends a strong message to employees that you want them to be equipped for 21st-century work.

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