Logistics and Supply ChainThird Party Logistics and Warehouse Optimisation Strategy
Outsourcing a warehouse transfers the work but not the accountability, and the contracts that go wrong are the ones that specified a rate per pallet without specifying what good performance looks like. This course covers both sides. Delegates work through deciding what to outsource and the costs that only appear after the decision, then selecting a provider on capability rather than price alone. Contracting is covered: service levels, gainshare, liability for stock loss and the exit provisions that make a change of provider possible. Warehouse operations follow, whether run in house or overseen: layout, slotting, and the travel distance that dominates picking cost. Receiving, put away, picking strategies and despatch are addressed. Inventory accuracy and cycle counting are covered. Labour, equipment and automation decisions follow. The course closes on performance measurement and on managing the relationship day to day.
Course objectives
- Decide what to outsource including costs that appear later
- Select a provider on capability rather than rate alone
- Contract service levels, liability and workable exit provisions
- Design layout and slotting to cut travel distance
- Run receiving, put away, picking and despatch effectively
- Maintain inventory accuracy through cycle counting
- Decide on labour, equipment and automation, and measure performance
Who should attend
- Warehouse and distribution centre managers
- Logistics and supply chain coordinators
- Procurement managers responsible for logistics contracts
- Operations managers in manufacturing and retail
- 3PL account managers seeking client side perspective
Course outline
- 01Work transfers, accountability does not
- 02What to outsource and the later costs
- 03Provider selection on capability
- 04Service levels, liability and exit
- 05Layout, slotting and travel distance
- 06Receiving, put away and picking
- 07Despatch and inventory accuracy
- 08Labour, automation, measurement and the relationship
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 to 9 October 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 9 to 11 November 2026 | Pretoria, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 28 to 30 December 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 13 to 15 January 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 22 to 24 February 2027 | Maputo, Mozambique | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |