When you start a new factory or warehouse, you have so many things to think about, and one of these things is staffing and recruitment. Good staff is a bloodline for any business, so making sure you find and hire the right staff is paramount. It can be expensive whether you are looking to fill temporary or permanent posts, so getting it right the first time around is key. If you are new to hiring, you need to break the process down into more manageable segments, as trying to do everything at once often doesn’t prove productive.
Job Roles and Job Functions on Offer
At the outset, you need to know who you are hiring and for what role. You need to fulfill specific job roles and know what roles and responsibilities each post holder will have. If you do not set out clear job roles and functions for a warehouse worker, for example, then confusion will occur, and you will struggle to get people to come and work for you and stay with your business. When putting together the job roles and job functions you want to offer, think about the position going forwards in the future. Ensure that the role always has space for growth. If you do not account for growth, you will be rehiring later down the line, which will, of course, cost you more money.
Establishing a Hiring Budget
Hiring people and taking on new team members is not cheap, but it is something that is worthwhile and necessary, as eventually, it will drive and grow your business. Establishing a hiring budget early on will ensure that you do not spend more than you can afford to on getting the right candidates through the door. Without a budget, you may struggle to find and hire the right candidates for your business cost-effectively.
Using an Agency
Hiring new employees and sourcing candidates can be time-consuming, and it can be very costly if you try and undertake the whole process yourself. As you are running a factory or warehouse, your needs are more specific and targeted than, say, the local clothing store down the road. Because your needs and wants are more specific, you may want to consider using an Industrial Recruitment Agency to ensure that you get the right candidates walking through the doors. Specialist recruitment agencies have the knowledge, the contacts, and the experience to get you the right employees.
A Welcoming Workplace
Quite often, good candidates can be put off by an unwelcoming workplace. So, with this in mind, you should start by focusing on creating a positive and welcoming workplace. Having a place where people enjoy working every day is what all employees need. If you do not have a welcoming workplace, no matter what gender or background, you will lose many good candidates and future employees.
A Staff Handbook
You will have staff from all different backgrounds, but you will want them to all work cohesively as a team within your new warehouse or factory, and, to achieve this, you need to create a staff handbook or staff guidebook. This book will feature protocols, guides, and useful information that all employees should follow and adhere to. A staff book will ensure that your new staff dress appropriately and act in a specific manner. A handbook or staff guidebook will ensure that you have consistency across your business, and it will also ensure that a high level of standards is met and maintained.
Salaries and Payroll
If you deem to get the best staff, and of course, retain them, then how much you pay and when you pay will be critical. Of course, not all of the staff within your new factory or warehouse will be on the same pay rate, because of course, not all roles and functions carry the same responsibilities and duties. A pay scale or salary range will need to be created and instilled to ensure these differences are established and maintained early on. A competitive pay scale that is in place for all employees, together with competitive salaries that are paid either fortnightly or monthly, will ensure you get the right staff from the outset.
