Warehouse Operations: Inventory, Shipping, Safety, and Customer Service

Chapter 7: Picking and Order Fulfillment

Picking Process: Managing inventory demands efficiently, delivering the correct quantity and quality to minimize costs.

Types of Picking

• Case Picking: Using equipment like forklifts to handle items in boxes or drums.
• Pallet Picking: Retrieving whole palletized units.
• Broken Case Picking: Selecting individual items from opened cases, suitable for smaller orders.

Picking Technologies

• Pick to Light: Lights indicate item locations, potentially integrated with weight checks.
• Voice Recognition: Headsets provide picking commands; verbal confirmation is used for accuracy.
• RF-Directed: Uses RFID scanners for item verification.
• AS/RS and AGVs: Automated systems that reduce manual travel and picking time.

Chapter 8: Distribution and Shipping

Shipping Process: Involves order checking, carrier scheduling, and offering additional services like assembly or kitting.

Packaging: Ensures items are secure, properly labeled, and suitable for transportation and storage.

Transportation Management

Modes: Road, rail, water, air, pipeline, selected based on cost, speed, and item nature.

Intermodal Transportation: Combines multiple modes for efficient cross-modal transfers.

Chapter 9: Safety and Hazard Management

Fire Safety: Includes extinguishers, hose reels, sprinkler systems, fire blankets, and fire buckets.

Handling Hazardous Materials: Compliance with NFPA and OSHA regulations.

Preventing Inventory Deterioration: Ensuring appropriate storage conditions, temperature control, and proper handling.

Chapter 10: Internal and External Relations

Customer Service

Departmental Interactions: Effective communication and data flow between purchasing, manufacturing, marketing/sales, and finance.

Information Systems: Utilize technology for real-time inventory management and operational efficiency.

Customer Service

• Pre-Transaction: Establish service policies.
• Transaction: Execute sales and distribution accurately.
• Post-Transaction: Manage returns and customer complaints effectively.

Chapter 11: Roles, Skills, and Workplace Dynamics

Warehouse Roles: Managers, coordinators, receiving clerks, pickers, packers, and shipping clerks.

Essential Skills: Technical aptitude, flexibility, detail orientation, safety focus, and interpersonal skills.

Internal Customer Service: Ensuring collaborative operations that support all departmental needs and maintain high customer satisfaction.