Effectively hiring and onboarding new employees can be difficult for any business, especially when you’re short-staffed during peak seasons. This is often the case for supply chain organizations. That’s why many of them are relying heavily on a warehouse staffing agency (or two) to help. These agencies take on the critical and time-sensitive tasks of posting job openings, reviewing applications, conducting initial interviews, running background checks, and ultimately, giving you access to a pool of qualified candidates.
Not all agencies are the same. To forge a useful partnership, you need to pick one that will be more than just a service provider. They should be a true partner in helping your business succeed. Here are five tips to help you vet warehouse staffing agencies.
#1 Search for a Warehouse Staffing Agency That Specializes in Your Industry
Agencies that focus directly on manufacturing and supply chain industries better understand the needs of the roles you are trying to fill. They’ll know to look for candidates with the right skills, experience, and certifications. Plus, they’ll likely have a wide network of readily available talent.
Verify that the agency has a proven track record in placing candidates in specific roles like logistics, procurement, and operations management. Ask them about previous recruitments, turnover rates, and overall satisfaction from both businesses and candidates.
#2 Opt for Comprehensive Talent Screening Processes
Make sure they have thorough processes in place to vet talent. A successful warehouse staffing agency will use a combination of both technological and human vetting practices to select the right candidates. If they are as effective as they say, they should be able to reduce time to hire while still connecting you with the right personnel.
Ask questions like “How do you assess technical skills?”, “What do you need to know about us to assess cultural fit?” and “How do you measure the right amount of experience?” Knowing their screening processes ahead of time will inform you of the caliber of candidates they source.
At Total Talent Resources, we get to know the key performance indicators you look for in floor ready associates before starting our search. That way, we are well versed in your expectations and can screen for the right candidates.
#3 Check That They Access a Diverse Talent Pool
A reputable warehouse staffing agency should have established connections within the industry and access to a broad talent pool, increasing the likelihood of finding the best-fit candidates for the warehouse positions.
By partnering with an agency that employs varied recruitment processes, including job boards, social media, industry networking events, and referrals, businesses can tap into a larger and more diverse pool of potential new employees. They should definitely go beyond just posting openings on the same job boards as everyone else.
#4 Prioritize a Warehouse Staffing Agency with Flexible Staffing Solutions
Depending on your business needs, you may need different hiring practices. If you need seasonal help, it wouldn’t be in your best interest to partner with an agency who only places permanent roles. Instead, look for an agency that can support you with a variety of workforce solutions, such as contingent, performance-to-hire, or direct hire. This can help you get the most ROI from your warehouse or logistics staffing agency.
Your warehouse staffing agency can help set the terms of employment best suited for your business and set expectations among potential candidates. Take the time to learn about different hiring solutions to gauge which are right for you.
3 Hiring Options with a Warehouse Jobs Staffing Agency
Here’s a quick look at three ways Total Talent Resources gives you access trainable and skilled talent when you need it.
Flex Force – Streamlined Contingent Staffing
- Rapid deployment for fluctuating demand
- Short term or longer term assignments
- Floor-ready, productive, and engaged from day one
Ideal for: Adapting to peak/slow season, new products, change overs, or new customer demand
Performance-To-Hire – Phased Talent Acquisition
- Low-risk and high performance
- Hire at your own pace
- Support ongoing growth initiatives
Ideal for: Reducing risk in hiring and scaling your workforce with perfect fit team members
Flex Hire Direct – Cost-Effective Hiring
- Eliminate risks/costs of “headhunting”
- Access and engage qualified candidates
- Straightforward fee schedule
Ideal for: Outsourcing talent acquisition on your own terms and reducing recruiting costs
#5 Make Sure They Maintain Strong Relationships
A warehouse staffing agency that fosters strong relationships with clients and candidates is more likely to have a deep understanding of the specific needs of businesses, and be able to match them with suitable candidates.
Look for evidence of their ability to maintain long-term relationships such as testimonials, case studies, or references from satisfied clients and candidates. These can serve as valuable indicators of the agency’s commitment to nurturing connections.
Performing this due diligence will help you nail down the right warehouse staffing agency, which can save you time, ensure overall satisfaction, and reduce costs in the long term. Choosing a warehouse staffing agency that not only meets but exceeds your expectations in terms of candidate quality, service, and ongoing support can ultimately lead to better retention rates, improved productivity, and a stronger, more cohesive workforce.
For help with your warehouse staffing needs, contact Total Talent today.