Systems and Methods for Optimized Container Loading Operations

A method includes: receiving, for items in a staging area, item identifiers and staged locations in facility coordinates, as detected via a sensor; obtaining a load configuration including a load sequence defining an order for loading the items into a container, and a load location within the container for each item, in container coordinates; according to the load sequence, for each item: retrieving the corresponding staged location (in facility coordinates) and load location (in container coordinates); providing loading guidance including the retrieved staged location and the retrieved load location, for rendering of the loading guidance in one of the facility coordinate system and the container coordinate system; and responsive to placement of the item in the container, receiving and storing an actual load location, in the container coordinate system; and during an unloading operation, presenting unloading guidance including the actual load locations of the items.