It really depends. For a typical warehouse, the operations is split into inbound team and outbound team. Some operations has an inventory team as well.

Inbound team take cares of the receiving of inventory, quality checks and putaway for storage.

Outbound team covers the picking of inventory, packing, and handing over to transportation team.

Inventory team is in charge of ensuring stocks tally with the system. They are also involved in cycle count and stock taking.

As to the second question, each team has it's own challenges. The inbound team faces the challenge of ensuring the stocks are received and putaway within the agreed SLA (service level agreement) with the customers.

The outbound team needs to make sure the orders are picked accurately. Time is critical for the outbound operations.

As for the inventory team, accuracy of the stocks is their focus. The physical stocks has to mirror the figures in the system.

There are certain operations where quality team is a standalone section. Their main role is to oversee the quality aspect of the inventory. This is especially critical when dealing with items such as pharmaceutical products.

Then typically, what's the split in terms of activities in the warehouse? Who will be the busiest?

Again, this depends on the timing of the day. At certain period, the inbound is busiest. At other time, it is the outbound.

But the breakdown in terms of total manhour is estimated to be below.

50% - 55% Picking

15% - 20% Receiving

5% - 12% Putaway

5% - 10% Replenishment

15% - 20% Loading and shipping