1. Describe the operation you are moving.
Prepare a current SKU list, typical and peak order volumes, stock holding, sales channels, packing instructions and special handling. Identify which products and orders will move first, and whether any work stays at the existing location.
2. Review the existing arrangement.
Confirm the notice, stock-release process, outstanding charges and other exit requirements in your current agreement. Ask what inventory, order and dispatch records can be exported. Allow time for a final count and any discrepancies.
3. Assign the handover owners.
Nominate contacts for stock, transport, systems, commercial approvals and customer communication. Agree how a critical issue will be escalated and who can pause or change the transfer plan.
4. Reconcile the stock.
Agree a stock snapshot, identify damaged or held goods, and separate open picks and returns in transit. Check packaging materials and kits as well as saleable products. Keep the records needed to compare the stock released with the stock received.
5. Prepare the receiving information.
Label and identify cartons or pallets according to the receiving requirements. Provide an expected shipment record, quantities, product references and transport details. Confirm unloading needs and the arrival plan before dispatching the transfer.
6. Test the information flow.
Use representative order scenarios, including variants, bundles, B2B orders or special packing where relevant. Check stock records, dispatch information and exception handling. Agree the acceptance criteria before changing the live order route.
7. Define the cutover point.
Decide when each location stops and starts processing orders. Account for orders already allocated, dispatches awaiting collection, returns, cancellations and customer support enquiries. Document the fallback if a critical dependency is not ready.
8. Review after the move.
Compare received stock with the transfer records, work through exceptions and verify the agreed reporting. Keep the right people available while the new workflow settles and volume increases.
Give the new provider the whole picture.
Your target start date is useful, but so are the dependencies that sit behind it. Complete the CSG questionnaire to share those details, then confirm a realistic transition plan together.
Prepare my fulfilment brief