Focus on measurable KPIs: on-time shipment rate, pick-and-pack accuracy, orders per labor hour, dock-to-stock cycle, and inventory accuracy. Request historical SLA performance, fee transparency, and monthly scorecards. Site visits and test orders help validate claimed metrics and labor productivity assumptions.

Insist on WMS with API/EDI connectivity, advanced slotting, batch and zone picking, dedicated racking, cross-dock lanes, climate control where required, and real-time inventory visibility. Confirm integration with your ERP, order management, and carrier partners for consistent SLA management.

Proximity to ports, highways, and rail reduces drayage and transit time, lowering landed cost and enabling same- or next-day delivery windows. Access to multiple parcel and LTL carriers enables competitive routing, zone-skipping, and rate blends that affect final delivery cost and customer promise.

Negotiate transparent fee schedules, volume tiers, minimums, termination clauses, inventory liability, SLA credits, audit rights, and technology access. Include performance-based clauses for pick accuracy and on-time rates, and define change-order processes for seasonal or SKU-mix shifts.