If you work in a warehouse, you know that new strategies and methods to achieve efficiency are critical. As a picker, staying informed about the different warehouse picking strategies can help you complete your tasks faster and more accurately.
By working smarter, using new methods and performing at your best, you can stand out from other warehouse team members. You can increase customer satisfaction or boost your picking metrics, leading to a raise or even a career-boosting promotion.
Learn more about advancing your career by speeding up the picking process.
What warehouse-picking strategies should you learn?
Most distribution centres use different picking methods depending on how many items they are carrying and what the workflow looks like. Becoming familiar with these methods will help you develop a picking strategy that works for you.
1. Speed-based slotting
One of the most common warehouse-picking strategies is called velocity-based slotting or product velocity. With this method, the data collected determines which items are requested most often in orders.
These items are placed closer to the area where the shipments are packed and shipped. Pickers do not have to walk through the entire warehouse multiple times to pick items, but can instead grab the items at a convenient location nearby.
Speed-based slotting is used in most companies. Whether your company uses this method or not, you should make a mental note of which picked items occur most frequently.
Even if these items aren’t organized properly, you can still make plans to pick them more efficiently, by coming up with quick routes, planning, or even suggesting to your colleagues in the warehouse.
2. Establish routes
As mentioned above, routing is a common but useful picking strategy that you can implement quickly and easily. As you get to know the warehouse, you’ll get an idea of where certain items are kept, which items appear most often in orders, and the best way to get from one place to another.
By creating a good mental map of the warehouse and its various storage areas, you can save time and even ensure better-picking accuracy.
Some warehouses offer fixed routes that you can follow. These routes may avoid certain areas where machinery is often used or where people perform other work. So it’s a good idea to keep these routes in mind and use them whenever possible.
3. Use automated picking tools
Even if you work hard and have excellent supply chain support, picking errors can still occur. One strategy to reduce errors and make picking more efficient is to use all available automated picking methods or tools.
Rather than replacing human workers, most automated picking solutions augment pre-existing picking methods. These tools may include:
- Barcode scanners
- Warehouse shuttles
- Conveyor belts
- Computer systems
- Mobile robots, in some cases
Learning how to use these tools can accelerate your selection and advance your career.
4. Zone picking method
Another common picking process you may encounter or decide to implement is known as zone picking or pick and pass. In this method, each picker is assigned a zone in the warehouse.
Pickers will find any item needed to fulfil a particular order in their area before passing that order to team members in the next zone.
Zone picking means that pickers do not have to travel through the warehouse to pick up items for one order. Because they work in a smaller zone in the warehouse, zone pickers also get a better sense of where each item in their area is located, helping to save even more time.
5. Discreet picking methods
Discrete picking is the warehouse picking process that warehouse pickers are probably most familiar with. In this method, pickers receive an order and choose one item at a time until the order is complete.
As a picker, you can travel anywhere in the warehouse before returning the picked items to the shipping area. So much movement can seem time-consuming, but by working with colleagues to create your pick-and-pass method, mapping mental routes, and learning how to use automation tools, you can adapt your workflow to make this picking method one to make. that suits you.
6. Batch picking method
When batch picking is used, pickers receive multiple orders to process simultaneously. These orders contain multiple of the same items, so employees can choose multiple of the same SKU numbers at the same time.
A picker may only pick certain items before the order goes to the next batch picker, and so on until the order is fulfilled. Batch picking means you don’t have to travel as far through the warehouse.
Typically, batch-picking strategies are combined with computer systems that optimize picking efficiency.
7. Wave picking method
Wave picking, also called cluster picking, is similar to a combination of batch and zone picking, but also has different picking requirements.
Pickers receive multiple orders to work on simultaneously. This method groups orders into waves that prioritize deadlines, order importance, and how well the orders fit together.
These orders often contain similar items, are grouped by warehouse zone, or can be sorted based on several other factors.
Pickers will use software, advanced technology and pick sheets to keep track of which items fit each order. Each group of pickers moves in a wave formation through the warehouse to maximize picking efficiency.
Find a warehouse job to use warehouse-picking strategies
Warehouse jobs can lead to many career opportunities. Starting as a warehouse picker is a fantastic way to get to know a company and get a feel for the day-to-day operations.
However, if you are currently in a position where you don’t feel like your warehouse manager is supporting or encouraging you to succeed, consider moving to a company where you do.
Allegiance Staffing works hard to find the right match for employees and companies. We can help you find a job that matches your skills, interests and goals.
Contact us for more information about warehouse-picking jobs that better suit you. You can also check the Careers Board for more information about warehouse positions currently available. We can help you find a great role where you can use these warehouse-picking strategies.
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