Warehouse management

Managing a warehouse is about designing safe, efficient flows—from receiving to shipping—while steering stock accuracy, space, time, and cost. Over two days, participants explore processes, layout & slotting, picking methods, WMS fundamentals, KPIs, and safety/ergonomics, with hands-on case work and calculations inspired by real warehouse data.

After the training, the participant will be able to:

• Know the core warehouse processes, areas and roles
• Understand stock concepts, flow principles and QCT (Quality/Cost/Time)
• Recognise the main storage systems, handling equipment and picking methods
• Set an efficient layout and slotting logic based on ABC/velocity and constraints
• Use and apply WMS fundamentals (locations, RF/barcode, master data, basic transactions)
• Build and monitor key KPIs (accuracy, productivity, space, service, safety)
• Run a practical improvement case (distance, time, staffing, and ROI estimation)

• Presentation of warehouse fundamentals: purpose, terminology, warehouse areas and flows (receiving, quality, put-away, storage, replenishment, picking, consolidation, packing, expedition)
• Explanation of what the warehouse does and does not do: interface with procurement, production & transport; boundaries with carrier contracts and customer service
• Basic roles & responsibilities in operations: receiver, picker, packer, team leader, inventory controller; safety & pictograms
• Stock, flows and QCT: definitions, incoming vs. outgoing flows, cycle stock vs. safety stock, accuracy & traceability
• Costs and risks: labour, space, equipment, damages, ergonomics; link to surrounding contracts (3PL, transport, insurance)
• How to choose layout & slotting: U-, I-, L-flows; ABC & velocity-based slotting; aisle width; pick paths; replenishment strategies
• Storage systems & handling equipment: pallet racking (selective, drive-in, etc.), shelving, mezzanine, conveyors; pallet trucks, forklifts
• Picking methods: discrete, batch, zone, wave; pick-to-light/voice; consolidation & packing good practices
• WMS overview: locations, item master, units, barcodes/RF, core transactions (GR, put-away, move, pick, ship), simple integrations with ERP
• KPIs & continuous improvement: OTIF, picking accuracy, productivity (lines/h), space utilization, dwell time; visual management
• Set out central improvements between “initial” and “optimized” layouts: distance, time and staffing calculations
• Traps to avoid & practical exercises

Participants will have access to a training certificate delivered by the House of Training.