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Do you need additional order pickers for your warehouse or distribution centre? Finding the right employees is important for processing orders on time and preventing errors.
Especially when business gets busier, a staff shortage can cause problems. Orders pile up, other employees have to take on more work, and schedules come under pressure.
But what should you look for when hiring order pickers? In this article, we discuss the key points to consider.
Before looking for order pickers, it is a good idea to review your own schedule first. How many orders does your warehouse process each day? And are there certain days or periods when things get especially busy?
For example:
This will give you a clearer picture of how many additional employees you need and when you want to deploy them.
Sufficient knowledge, practical skills and appropriate instruction are important for operating a reach truck safely. Therefore, check which training, certificates or demonstrable professional qualifications are required for the work. Also, assess whether the candidate has the right experience with the type of equipment used in your warehouse. A certificate alone is not always enough to determine whether someone is suitable for your working environment. Practical experience and safe working behaviour are equally important. As an employer, ensure that employees receive the necessary instructions before they start work.
In a warehouse, employees are often on the move. They walk between shelves, move products and sometimes work with equipment or machinery.
Clear safety instructions are therefore important. Employees need to know how to work safely and which rules apply in your warehouse.
Do you need employees who also operate a forklift or reach truck? If so, check which certificates and qualifications are required for these tasks. Not every order picker needs to operate this type of equipment.
Not every warehouse follows the same schedule. Some companies operate only during the day, while others also have evening or night shifts.
It is therefore important to make it clear in advance when you need employees.
Discuss the number of hours, working times, preferred start date and expected duration of the assignment. Do you only need additional staff during a busy period, or are you looking for employees for a longer period?
Clear agreements help you find employees who fit your schedule.
The logistics sector continues to evolve. More and more warehouses are using scanners, digital systems and automation to process orders faster.
Employees remain essential, however. Even in a warehouse with modern systems, products must be picked, checked and prepared for dispatch correctly.
Therefore, take a close look at the tasks within your company. Do you need employees who are already familiar with certain systems, or can you train new employees yourself?
By determining this in advance, you can search more effectively for suitable candidates.
When hiring order pickers, it is a good idea to get a clear picture of the costs in advance.
Take into account the number of employees required, the hours worked, any additional pay or shift allowances, and the costs of a recruitment or temporary staffing agency.
Also check which collective labour agreement (CLA) provisions and statutory employment conditions apply.
A clear overview of the costs helps you align your staffing plan with your budget.
View the current statutory minimum hourly wages on the Dutch central government’s website.
Finding suitable order pickers takes time. You need to assess candidates, review their experience, and check whether they are available when you need extra staff.
A recruitment partner with knowledge of logistics roles can support you with this.
When choosing a recruitment partner, pay attention to the following:
Would you like to know more about finding staff for your warehouse? Then read our page about hiring warehouse employees as well.
The regulations surrounding hiring staff are also changing.
The Act on the Admission of the Provision of Workers (Wtta) will enter into force on 1 January 2027. The Netherlands Labour Authority will start enforcing the admission requirement from 1 January 2028.
For employers, it is therefore advisable to check in good time which requirements apply to the temporary employment agency partner they work with.
Read more about the key considerations for employers when hiring in staff.
Even if an order picker already has experience, he or she will still need to get used to a new warehouse. The layout, product locations, and working agreements can differ from company to company.
So take the time to properly onboard and train new employees.
Explain how the order system works, where products are located, and which safety rules apply. Also make sure employees know who they can turn to with questions.
A good start helps prevent mistakes and ensures that employees can perform their tasks increasingly independently.
Extra order pickers may be needed when the number of orders rises, your current team has insufficient capacity, or you temporarily need extra staff.
That depends on the tasks. For some roles, warehouse experience is important, while other roles are suitable for employees who can learn the work during an onboarding/training period.
Not every order picker needs a certificate. This depends on the tasks and the machines the employee has to work with.
Pay particular attention to experience, accuracy, availability, and safety knowledge. It is also important that the working hours and tasks are clear before you select candidates.
Finding suitable order pickers starts with a clear picture of your operations and staffing needs. By taking experience, working hours, and safety into account in advance, it becomes easier to find employees who fit your company.
NFA Recruitment helps employers find staff for logistics roles. Do you need extra employees for your warehouse or distribution center? Then contact us to discuss your staffing needs.