Require KPIs that align to cost and service: Order accuracy, on-time shipment rate, pick-and-pack throughput, dock-to-stock time, and inventory accuracy. Specify SLA penalties and reporting cadence for chargebacks, shrink, and delayed shipments to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

Assess the 3PL’s carrier contracts, zone density, and cross-dock capabilities. Look for multi-carrier integrations, negotiated freight rates, and routing optimization tools. Confirm proximity to major highways, railheads, and intermodal yards to minimize last-mile spend and improve lead times.

Prioritize WMS with SKU-level visibility, real-time EDI/API integrations with your OMS and carriers, barcode/scan validation, cycle-count modules, and returns management. Ensure the 3PL supports batch tracking, lot/serial control, and customizable picking strategies for channel-specific SLAs.

Inspect dock count and configuration, clear height, racking density, office and QC space, staging and returns areas, and security systems. Verify material-handling equipment, temperature control if needed, and IT redundancy. Confirm peak-hour staffing plans and scalability for seasonal demand.