What Should 3PL Warehouse Companies Look for in a Third Party Labor Provider? [Top 10 Must-Ask Questions] ✅

If you run a 3PL warehouse operation today, you already know:

Your clients count on you to be flexible, consistent, and FAST. 🚚

And for many 3PL warehouse companies, using a third party labor provider is the smartest way to keep labor lean, scalable, and performance-driven. 💪

But not all labor partners are created equal. Some will simply send people and hope for the best. Others will truly embed with your team and drive results.

How do you tell the difference? 🤔
Here are 10 must-ask questions to help you choose the right third party labor provider for your 3PL operation. ✅


1️⃣ Do they have experience working with 3PL warehouse companies?

3PL operations are a different animal—multiple clients, shifting volumes, contract-driven SLAs.

Look for providers who have deep experience managing labor inside 3PL facilities (not just single-client DCs).


2️⃣ How do they align with client SLAs and KPIs? 🎯

You need a labor partner who helps you hit:

Units per hour

Order accuracy

On-time shipments

Inventory accuracy

Safety targets 🦺


If their reporting isn’t aligned with your clients’ SLAs, that’s a big risk. 🚩


3️⃣ What does their onsite management model look like? 🧑‍💼

A great third party labor provider will offer:

Dedicated onsite leadership (supervisors, leads)

Embedded team members who collaborate daily with your team

Clear ownership of performance on the floor


👉 If the provider can’t describe their onsite model in detail—keep shopping.


4️⃣ Can they flex labor quickly based on client volume? 📦

Ask:

How fast can you scale labor up or down?

How do you handle volume swings across multiple clients?


3PLs thrive on flexibility—you need a labor partner who can match that pace. 🚀


5️⃣ How do they ensure consistency across shifts and clients? 🕒

Look for providers who:

Train to a common standard

Maintain performance across all shifts

Prevent “drop off” on nights, weekends, or second/third shift


Inconsistent shift performance = client risk. ⚠️

6️⃣ What is their safety philosophy? 🦺

Don’t compromise here.

A great third party labor provider will:

Provide robust onboarding and safety training

Conduct daily safety briefings

Embed a culture of accountability around safety


Remember: Your clients will hold YOU accountable for safety outcomes.


7️⃣ How do they handle workforce turnover? 🔄

Ask:

What is their average turnover rate?

How do they retain talent?

How do they ensure new hires are productive fast?


High turnover = hidden costs and SLA risk.


8️⃣ What visibility will you have into labor performance? 📊

Top providers offer:

Real-time dashboards

Regular reporting aligned to your KPIs

Ongoing transparency and communication


👉 You should never be in the dark about your labor force.


9️⃣ How do they manage cross-client labor allocation? 🔄

In multi-client facilities, labor must often flex between clients.

How do they track and allocate time?

How do they manage training across different client processes?


Your clients expect clean reporting—your provider must support that.


1️⃣0️⃣ Are they a cultural fit? 🤝

Last but not least—do their values align with your team’s?

Are they collaborative?

Are they proactive problem-solvers?

Will they represent your brand well with clients and associates?


Partnership > transaction. Look for a provider you trust to operate inside your four walls.


Don’t Settle for “Good Enough” Labor Support 🚀

Your 3PL business is built on reputation and results. The wrong labor partner can put both at risk.

But the right third party labor provider can help you:

✅ Hit your client SLAs
✅ Scale profitably
✅ Protect your safety record
✅ Improve leadership focus
✅ Build a stronger culture


Ready to explore what a high-performance labor partnership can look like?

👉 We offer a complimentary 3PL Labor Partnership Consultation—no pressure, just insights.

Let’s help you choose the right partner—and drive your 3PL operation forward. 🚀 

👇📅 We're here to help.  There's no pitch - just a conversation. 📅👇