The pre-Christmas season, spring production ramp-ups or an unexpected rush order from a key customer. For logistics and production managers these moments mean one huge challenge: finding dozens of capable people within 2 to 3 weeks.
Last-minute improvisation leads to chaos, burnout among core staff and missed SLA deadlines towards customers.
The most common mistakes in preparing for the season
- Starting recruitment too late: Looking for workers when the trucks are already waiting at the dock is too late. The recruitment funnel needs a head start.
- Overloading in-house staff: Handling a multiple increase in volume through overtime leads to a huge error rate, accidents and the loss of key people.
- No backup capacity: If you plan for the exact number of people with no reserves, any wave of flu will paralyse the whole dispatch operation.
A proven timeline for getting through the peak
- Weeks -6 to -4: capacity audit: Define the exact number of operators, warehouse workers and forklift drivers you need, including shift patterns and required certifications.
- Weeks -4 to -2: targeted pooling: Activate the agency database, pre-select candidates and arrange medical checks.
- Weeks -1 to 0: ramp-up and accelerated training: Standardised onboarding, with prompt replacements in case of absence under the agreed model of cooperation.