SF International

How a Leading Chinese Logistics Company Successfully Expanded in Singapore

SF International

How a Leading Chinese Logistics Company Successfully Expanded in Singapore

42%

Lift Hiring efficiency by

500+

Managed Local Workforce

30%

Reduced Operating Costs by

Client

SF International

Industry

Logistics & Supply Chain

Solution

HR Solution for Logistics (Singapore market)

Services

HR Solution for Logistics

Problem

Challenges in Singapore

Amid accelerating globalization and the boom of cross-border e-commerce, SF Express, China’s leading integrated logistics service provider, is rapidly expanding into Southeast Asia. As a regional hub, Singapore is not only a key distribution center for high-end consumer goods but also a critical node for SF Express’s growth in the region.

In logistics, core competitiveness often comes down to “people.” In Singapore, SF KLN quickly encountered three major challenges:

Insufficient talent supply
Professional warehousing and logistics talent are scarce in the local Singapore market. For high-end consumer goods logistics, roles require not only basic handling and warehousing experience but also familiarity with standardized operating procedures to ensure safe and efficient turnover. This made it difficult for SF Express to recruit enough qualified personnel in a short period.
Limited workforce scalability
E-commerce promotions and holiday peaks arrive in waves. Shortages during peak season and underutilization during off-season are common challenges for every logistics company. SF Express needed not a “rigid” team, but a workforce that could “breathe” with demand fluctuations.
High operational efficiency requirements
Speed and reliability are essential for customer satisfaction. Balancing delivery speed with cost efficiency became a critical challenge for SF Express.

In logistics, core competitiveness often comes down to “people.” In Singapore, SF KLN quickly encountered three major challenges:

Insufficient talent supply
Professional warehousing and logistics talent are scarce in the local Singapore market. For high-end consumer goods logistics, roles require not only basic handling and warehousing experience but also familiarity with standardized operating procedures to ensure safe and efficient turnover. This made it difficult for SF Express to recruit enough qualified personnel in a short period.
Limited workforce scalability
E-commerce promotions and holiday peaks arrive in waves. Shortages during peak season and underutilization during off-season are common challenges for every logistics company. SF Express needed not a “rigid” team, but a workforce that could “breathe” with demand fluctuations.
High operational efficiency requirements
Speed and reliability are essential for customer satisfaction. Balancing delivery speed with cost efficiency became a critical challenge for SF Express.

Solution

A “Breathing Workforce” System

In response, eTalent designed a localized logistics manpower solution for SF Express Singapore, covering the entire business chain from recruitment and management to operational support.

Industry-tailored manpower solutions
Logistics roles involve fine-grained responsibilities and high standardization. From warehousing and handling, sorting and packing, to customs documentation and delivery, each step requires specific professional skills. eTalent didn’t just “recruit broadly” but created detailed job profiles based on SF Express’s business needs, ensuring every team member fits precisely into the operational chain to form a highly efficient team.
Local specialized talent recruitment
Efficiency alone is not enough in Singapore’s logistics environment; cultural adaptation is equally critical. eTalent leveraged local recruitment channels and industry resources to quickly identify suitable candidates, assessing language skills, professional qualifications, past experience, and cultural fit. These talents understood both the operational processes and local business culture, enabling seamless integration into SF Express’s workflow.
Flexible workforce management model
eTalent established a scalable manpower pool for SF Express, allowing rapid staff augmentation during peak periods and scaling down during off-seasons to reduce costs. This flexibility enabled SF Express to optimize resource allocation instead of passively facing “overstaffing” or “understaffing” risks.
Localized management support
Personnel alone are not enough; effective management acts as the “lubricant” of operations. eTalent provided a local management team responsible for employee training, attendance, performance, and compliance. This approach freed up SF Express headquarters’ management resources while bringing execution closer to the local market.

In response, eTalent designed a localized logistics manpower solution for SF Express Singapore, covering the entire business chain from recruitment and management to operational support.

Industry-tailored manpower solutions
Logistics roles involve fine-grained responsibilities and high standardization. From warehousing and handling, sorting and packing, to customs documentation and delivery, each step requires specific professional skills. eTalent didn’t just “recruit broadly” but created detailed job profiles based on SF Express’s business needs, ensuring every team member fits precisely into the operational chain to form a highly efficient team.
Local specialized talent recruitment
Efficiency alone is not enough in Singapore’s logistics environment; cultural adaptation is equally critical. eTalent leveraged local recruitment channels and industry resources to quickly identify suitable candidates, assessing language skills, professional qualifications, past experience, and cultural fit. These talents understood both the operational processes and local business culture, enabling seamless integration into SF Express’s workflow.
Flexible workforce management model
eTalent established a scalable manpower pool for SF Express, allowing rapid staff augmentation during peak periods and scaling down during off-seasons to reduce costs. This flexibility enabled SF Express to optimize resource allocation instead of passively facing “overstaffing” or “understaffing” risks.
Localized management support
Personnel alone are not enough; effective management acts as the “lubricant” of operations. eTalent provided a local management team responsible for employee training, attendance, performance, and compliance. This approach freed up SF Express headquarters’ management resources while bringing execution closer to the local market.

Result

Stable and Scalable Warehouse Team

A stable warehouse team was quickly established to ensure sufficient manpower during peak periods. Over 500 local employees are now systematically managed, significantly improving overall operational efficiency.