what is a warehouse worker?
As a warehouse worker, or a warehouse operative, you work in a company warehouse. Your duties typically involve organising and preparing items, merchandise or company supplies for shipping. You also take delivery of incoming supplies or goods and arrange them in the storage facilities. The work can be physically demanding since you have to lift various items to and from delivery trucks. Organising the warehouse and logging entries to keep the company's inventory information up to date is also part of your duty.
As a warehouse worker, your day-to-day activities include receiving and processing company goods or materials. Depending on the need, this may include organising and retrieving stock, checking, packing and shipping orders or managing other employees.
Warehouse workers are essential in any industry dealing with shipping and receiving goods. Companies that ship clothing or construction equipment employ warehouse workers to manage inventory. You may also work in retail warehouses or manufacturing industries. Your job always involves assisting with shipping, receiving and handling heavy loads in all industries.
Would working as a warehouse worker suit your organisation skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a warehouse worker role.
average salary of a warehouse worker
According to National Careers, the average salary of an entry-level warehouse worker is £16,000 per year. Building your skills and experience level boosts your salary to £24,000 annually. Some employers pay hourly rates to shift workers, while others have weekly or monthly payment schedules.
The salaries vary based on knowledge, complexity and working environment. Common benefits in this line of work include health insurance, paid time off and pension benefits. You also receive overtime pay for working extra shifts.
factors that affect warehouse worker pay
Like with most industries, your experience impacts your salary potential. Warehouse workers with more years of experience get higher hourly pay. Your academic qualifications also increase your compensation package. For instance, a warehouse worker with additional certifications earns more than those without post-secondary qualifications. The industry sector you work in also determines your salary. If you work for pharmaceutical and chemical storage facilities, you will earn more than warehouse workers in the retail industry. The risk involved in handling hazardous substances and chemicals warrants better pay.
types of warehouse workers
Some types of warehouse workers include:
- warehouse associate: a warehouse associate carries out all warehouse activities, from moving goods and tracking inventory to labelling items and preparing shipping invoices.
- warehouse loader: as a warehouse loader, you pack goods in a warehouse into shipping containers and delivery trucks. You need to ensure the items are safe during transit by packing them in sturdy packaging materials. You also track the shipments from dispatch to delivery at the destination.
- warehouse clerk: this is a warehouse worker who records orders and supervises processing to ensure customers receive their orders.
- forklift operator: your job is to move inventory around the warehouse using a forklift. Sometimes, you also load and offload goods from containers or delivery trucks.
warehouse worker job description
If you prefer physical work to the confines of a desk job, you will find warehouse work both challenging and rewarding. The industry provides many opportunities for committed and self-motivated workers. You also always work with a diverse set of people who can stimulate you intellectually.
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duties and responsibilities
A warehouse worker performs various duties, including:
- organising stock in the warehouse: as a warehouse worker, your job involves unpacking the goods you receive and storing them at designated locations in the warehouse.
- maintaining inventory records: as a warehouse worker, you need to document products or supplies you stock on the shelves. You should record goods leaving the warehouse and provide a daily inventory report to the supervisor. You should also report any missing or damaged items.
- verifying incoming shipment: your job involves verifying shipments against invoices to ensure you receive accurate goods from couriers. When loading delivery trucks, you should verify the items against the order details to ensure accurate quantities.
- packaging and labelling: as a warehouse worker, you need to package products according to the company standards. You also ensure that the packaging keeps the items in excellent condition in transit.
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work environment
A warehouse worker's environment is inside a climate-controlled warehouse or storage facility where you assist with handling merchandise and company inventory. Typically, warehouse work is blue-collar and includes lots of physical labour and equipment operation. Some warehouse workers can expect fieldwork, like driving company vehicles to deliver goods to customers. Office-like work such as logging to keep inventory information up to date is needed from time to time.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include machine operators, auto electrician, material handlers, telehandlers, dispatcher post and general labourers. They will assist you in warehouse tasks by using machines to move bulky goods. You might also be working in close proximity to factory managers and warehouse supervisors, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, logistics managers, truck drivers and procurement managers.
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work schedule
Like most industries, warehouse work requires 40 hours per week, and you can get overtime. Warehouse workers' schedules vary since storage, manufacturing and logistics industries work around the clock. Warehouses that operate 24 hours have shifts scattered throughout the day. For example, you may start late at night, while others log in as early as 6 am. There are also lots of opportunities for overtime, and you can work 10- to 12-hour shifts. In some industries, Saturday shifts are mandatory. Travelling is also minimal unless you accompany the delivery crew to assist with offloading.
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job outlook
While warehouse work is a blue-collar career, you'll find many growth opportunities. That includes starting from a role of production worker up to production manager or supervisor. Online shopping has significantly increased the demand for warehouse workers, and the qualifications aren't hard to acquire. Besides helping you become familiar with the skeleton force of different industries, warehouse work also helps teach relevant skills, like logistics, best practices and productivity.
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advantages of finding a warehouse worker job through randstad
Finding your warehouse worker job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a warehouse worker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Applying for a warehouse worker role requires entry-level qualifications. Typically, the job requires only GCSEs. However, some companies may require additional qualifications, including:
- experience: the role you qualify for depends on the amount of experience. A year or two of relevant experience in a warehouse environment improves your competitiveness for an entry-level position.
- training: you don't have to worry about post-secondary training since you will receive on-the-job training. Some companies provide regular training for career development.
- certification: while this role usually doesn't require certifications, it is an excellent way to impress a potential employer. In most cases, these certifications help you advance into more senior roles. Some of the certifications you need include forklift, supply chain and professional certification for supply chain and warehouse.
skills and competencies
For warehouse work, you will need the skills outlined below to succeed:
- interpersonal skills: people skills determine how well you will work alongside a team. In order to collaborate with your co-workers, you need good communication skills. Possessing active listening skills also helps you follow instructions to avoid any mistakes.
- organisational skills: your organisational skills determine how well you use your time, strength and mental energy to accomplish the tasks at hand. It also refers to how organised you are with your physical space. Organisational skills determine how you leverage your space to make it ideal for productivity, letting you focus and not sacrifice the quality of your output.
- technical skills: working in a warehouse requires maths and computer-centric skills. As a warehouse worker, you use basic maths to count inventory and track shipments. Computer skills are also useful when updating the log and inventory records. Proficiency in various programs, like Microsoft Excel or customer relationship management (CRM) systems, will also prove useful in this line of work.
- time management: warehouses are fast-paced and operate on strict schedules as shipments proceed on a day-to-day basis. You should be able to keep up with the fast environment without lowering the quality of your work.
- mechanical skills: basic mechanical skills in operating equipment and vehicles will prove useful when applying for a warehouse worker job. The skills are useful in equipment maintenance, reducing the need to arrange for repairs that can prove to be costly.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a warehouse worker
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what are the duties of a warehouse worker?
As a warehouse worker, you are tasked with tracking inventory, organising merchandise and preparing them for shipping. The job includes lots of physical work like carrying heavy loads and operating equipment. You also perform administrative duties like logging records and keeping all of the information up to date from time to time.
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what qualifications do you need to work in a warehouse?
At the entry-level position, you need GCSEs and some experience. More years of experience and relevant certifications are required for higher positions.
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how much does a warehouse worker make?
The average base salary of a warehouse worker in the UK is between £16,000 and £24,000 per year. The compensation package depends on factors like years of experience and your location.
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which warehouse job pays the most?
Per the latest data, the highest paying warehouse jobs include warehouse process engineer, production manager and shipping supervisor.
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is warehouse work hard?
Certainly, pursuing a career as a warehouse worker can be challenging. This type of job is often best suited to people who can handle repetitive work that, at times, is physically and mentally exhausting.
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how do I apply for a warehouse worker vacancy?
Applying for a warehouse worker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
