Order Picking Standard Operating Procedure for Inventory in Manufacturing Operations

Scope

Included

This SOP applies to Manufacturing teams carrying out Order Picking within the Inventory process area and Operations department. It covers preparation, required inputs, execution, control checks, evidence, exceptions, approval or review where required, communication and closure.

The procedure should be adapted to the organisation's own systems, job titles, approval limits and record locations before operational use. Tasks outside the stated process, specialist decisions or circumstances requiring a different controlled procedure should be referred to the appropriate owner rather than forced through this workflow.

Outside this SOP

This SOP does not replace organisation-specific approval limits, specialist professional judgement, local legal requirements or site-specific controls.

Responsible roles

Primary owner: process owner or department supervisor. Supporting role: department manager. The primary owner coordinates and completes the operational record, the supporting role provides subject-specific input where required, and any designated reviewer or approver confirms that the control result and evidence are sufficient before closure.

Required information and systems

Primary working system or record location: the inventory or warehouse management system, controlled checklist and exception or inspection record. Required working information: customer or internal order number, pick list, SKU or item identifiers, storage locations, required quantities, lot or serial requirements, priority and packaging or handling instructions. Evidence retained at completion: pick list, scan or picking record, shortage or substitution record, lot or serial evidence where required, final check and packing or dispatch handover. Use the current approved forms, system records and controlled documents used by the organisation for this procedure.

Procedure overview

Order Picking starts when the relevant request, event or scheduled activity is ready to be processed. The process owner or department supervisor first verifies the required inputs and scope, then completes the three core actions defined for this procedure: release the correct order for picking and verify stock availability, item locations and any lot, serial, expiry or handling requirements before picking starts. pick each item against the controlled pick list and scan or record the item and quantity as required, recording shortages or substitutions instead of silently changing the order. complete the final quantity and item check, transfer the picked order to packing or dispatch and record any unresolved shortage or exception.

Before closure, the record must pass the principal control check: confirm the correct items, quantities and required traceability have been picked for the correct order before it is released to packing or dispatch. Failed checks or unresolved exceptions remain open with a named owner. The procedure is complete only when the result, evidence, approvals where applicable, communications and follow-up actions accurately describe the final operational position.

How this SOP helps

This document gives the responsible team a consistent way to complete Order Picking, verify the result and retain evidence that the required process was followed.

Before using this procedure

Confirm that role names, systems, approval routes, record locations and escalation contacts match the organisation using this SOP. Adapt any local legal, contractual, privacy, safety or regulatory requirement before operational use.