A team is required to create a successful company. Each member of that team is responsible for their duties. While attempting to carry out those responsibilities, difficulties frequently arise. Whether the crew can succeed in their objective depends on what happens next.
One of the critical team members that support the success of any company engaged in the sale and distribution of goods is the warehouse manager. Warehouse managers must be resourceful, challenging, and intelligent, given their extensive duties to keep things running smoothly. But are there no difficulties in the job of a warehouse manager? Not at all, no. But no matter what problems they encounter at work, there is always a fix.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most frequent issues concerning warehouse management and how to avoid them.
Common challenges one faces in warehouse management and how to fix them:
Warehouse issues can all impact the speed, efficiency, and productivity of a specific warehouse activity and the whole network of related procedures. Most often, these mistakes aren’t discovered until after the process has started or even after it has ended. It’s typically too late to correct the error at that point, and it can even be too late to lessen the harm done. However, if you are aware of the various problems that could arise in your warehouse operation, you can anticipate them and prevent damage from happening in the first place.
1. Picking optimization
Do you need help with your picking approach? If you’re having trouble increasing operational effectiveness, even a modest adjustment to your picking procedure could significantly impact your productivity and financial results.
Most warehouse management issues arise during picking; however, this problem is frequently the result of errors made during receiving or put-away duties. Poor picking can easily disrupt an inventory management system when everyday chores and decisions are completed quickly to help an urgent customer in a stressful setting.
As radio frequency and voice-directed systems become common, this problem can be resolved. Whichever form is employed, it is crucial to maintain strict adherence to the rules, even when situations emerge that make compliance seem counter intuitive. Master data will require constant maintenance to keep the system’s accuracy and dependability.
2. Unkempt and messy warehouse layout
Rising storage costs over time have forced warehouse managers to utilize their space more effectively. Inefficient use of space results in a lack of storage, which is still a widespread problem in warehouses.
This issue can be resolved by creating an ideal warehouse plan. This plan entails utilizing the floor space and vertical space to the fullest while still allowing enough space for warehouse workers to pass through. It also includes researching ways to employ machinery and automation to cut back on labor and labor expenses, enhancing warehouse product accessibility, systematizing inventory classification, and making sure that stock is stored securely.
Investigate technology such as a warehouse management system (WMS) that may assist you in planning the layout of your warehouse. If you submit the dimensions and measurements of your warehouse and items, certain WMSs can present you with a 3D model of the ideal arrangement. Consider an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), a network of computer-controlled equipment that automates your picking and putting away activities. An AS/RS helps you save a large amount of otherwise empty warehouse floor space and boost the speed and efficiency of your operations.
3. Inadequate planning for seasonal demands
While certain product categories enjoy constant demand throughout the year, others exhibit seasonal increases in popularity. Sudden spikes in demand that catch you off guard can be quite damaging because your warehouse may not be equipped to fulfill the orders. This spike can result from you needing more supplies or knowing where to put them with such little notice. To be prepared to handle your shifting stock levels, it’s critical to be informed of the current market trends and fluctuations in demand for the products you operate.
Keeping in touch with your manufacturers, suppliers, merchants, haulers, and any other sources you may have in your industry is the simplest method to handle this problem. By working together to respond effectively, the entire supply chain is informed of changes in demand.
Demand forecasting techniques to predict the items you need to stock in your inventory for the season.
4. Quality control
Numerous times, employees in charge of quality control also pick, pack, and ship inventory goods, which results in numerous mistakes being overlooked until the item is delivered to the client. This mistake is prevalent in pandemic situations where warehouses attempt to ship more while having fewer employees. To ensure better inventory management and avoid supply chain problems, you should ideally have a different level of quality control. This additional level of power can frequently act as a motivator to handle routine inventory issues in a methodical way that promotes responsibility.
5. Accidental redundancy
Order picking—selecting products from their storage locations in a warehouse to fill an order—is where redundancy is frequently observed. Order picking is typically a one-person activity in smaller warehouses, where there is minimal tolerance for error. However, in a bigger warehouse, several individuals collaborate to pick items from various locations to fulfill a single order. Multiple employees handling the same order increases the likelihood of errors like selecting an excessive number of the same items.
Spending money on technology, such as a modern warehouse execution system (WES), which will help you automate the repetitive tasks in your warehouse, is a solution. To help reduce redundancy in order picking, you could employ barcode technology to scan the goods chosen for the order and have the system warn the user of any duplication.
6. Low connection and traceability
Technology has made it possible to determine who manufactured the raw materials, who transported them, to which lot they belonged, when and where they traveled, as well as the subsequent stages and who was in charge. The problem emerges when we have to obtain and collect the data to utilize it fully and record each stage in the chain.
This problem may lead to a loss of control over the products and the reliability of the supply. Leveraging new software, apps, and tools, connections within and outside the warehouse helps design and implement the supply chain.
7. Poor inventory control
Any of these problems can indicate that you need to be accurately recording and regularly updating your inventory. Errors are relatively easy because manual inventory-checking processes leave much potential for human error. They occasionally happen when using out-of-date software.
One approach to resolving these issues with the warehouse is to switch to a newer solution. This approach could either be a system designed specifically for inventory management or a conventional warehouse management application with real-time inventory management capabilities. A typical system first gathers your inventory data using a fixed or mobile device, like a barcode scanner. This information is then used by your software solution to catalog and maintain track of your inventory.
8. Inadequate damage control
Unfortunately, the damage is a frequent problem in warehouses, particularly those that handle many products and heavy machinery. While it can be challenging to prevent damage, there are always techniques to minimize it.
Install safety equipment such as accumulation conveyor systems, specific rack nets, lockout systems, low clearance warning bars, and pallet rack guards. Ensure that your walkways are well-lit and spacious enough to allow people to move around your merchandise quickly. These precautions will assist you in safeguarding your staff, property, and inventory and prevent workplace mishaps.
Regularly inspect every area of your warehouse for any indications of equipment, storage, or vehicle damage. For instance, look for overcrowding, cracks, and breakage in your storage shelves and pallets. Additionally, keep an eye out for any damage that may later result in issues, such as water damage or even pest infestations.
Why does it matter?
One of the most crucial operations in a warehouse is warehouse management, which you must pay attention to. Since most warehouse management duties are interconnected in some way, a fault in one can result in expensive mistakes in others. You can lose money and have your warehouse operations fall apart due to accidental redundancy, a disorganized warehouse, and poor inventory management. A lack of preparation for seasonal demand, poor order management, high labor costs, and ineffective damage control also play a part. You can lessen the harm caused by these errors or stop them from happening by becoming knowledgeable about the difficulties your warehouse may encounter and their solutions.
Lastly, please don’t assume that warehouse managers are unsatisfied. It is fulfilling work that pays well. As previously mentioned, you become more skilled at handling problems as you go along. Additionally, it would be excellent if you made use of the sophisticated warehouse management solutions available to enhance your management abilities so that you can effectively manage your staff and fulfill deadlines.
Request a Demo
Need more information?
Solutions
