Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC Careers in Distribution Introduction

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC Thinking of a career in distribution? This course is a brief introduction to warehousing and the career opportunities in the field. The course is divided into the following sections:  What is warehousing (Section 1)  Frontline jobs (Section 2)  Management jobs (Section 2)

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC Learning Objectives At the completion of this course, you will be able to: 1.Explain warehousing’s role in the supply chain 2.Outline typical jobs in the warehouse 3.Know the skills needed for distribution jobs

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC What is Warehousing? Warehousing’s Role in the Supply Chain

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC Warehousing’s Role in the Supply Chain The resources are space (the building), labor (the people), and knowledge (information/data and workers’ skills). The modern warehouse or distribution center (DC) provides resources to support both traditional and value- added activities.

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC Warehouse Traditional Activities Product receiving, Receiving Storage Shipping storage, which requires putaway and inventory management shipping, which requires picking the items from storage and combining them into orders.

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC Activities Resources SpaceLaborKnowledge ReceiveReceiving DockReceiving CrewOrder, ASN or manifest Put items awayStorageReceiving CrewLayout of space, handling equipment Pick to ordersStorage/pick stationsPickersCustomer orders Stage and LoadStaging / ShippingArea LoadersCustomer order, Transport information The relationship between warehouse activities and warehouse resources is shown in this chart.

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC New Warehouse or DC Activities These are value-added services (VAS) like product packaging, product ticketing and creating shelf-ready displays. Customers are demanding more individualization of orders and quicker response. The warehouse is closer to customers and uses relatively inexpensive resources, so it often makes sense to move final packaging, labeling, and configuration to the warehouse or DC.

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC Typically warehouses are rated on throughput speed, accuracy, and efficiency (cost). Warehouse managers, in general, expect: 1. To ship all orders received by cutoff the same day, if inventory is available. 2. To attain inventory accuracy over 99% (99% of all items are in the location shown on the warehouse system or records). 3. To attain shipment accuracy well over 99% (the order is shipped exactly as requested over 99% of the time). What makes a DC successful? These performance expectations demand highly-qualified workers who are skilled and dedicated.

Careers in Distribution, Copyright 2005, WERC Highly-Qualified Workers Continue to Section 2 to learn more about the job types and skills required in frontline warehouse jobs.