Sometimes overlooked but absolutely essential, the warehouse is the engine room of logistics.

In the most basic terms, warehousing is the storage and inventory of goods before they are shipped – but that doesn’t really do justice to the diversity of vital roles required to deliver the organisation, accuracy, scale or technology of the operation.

You can explore the specific roles below. Check out the prospects, the pay and the requirements – and see if it sounds like you!

Warehousing roles to consider:

OPERATIVES
salary prospects

Starting around £19K, with plenty of opportunities to progress quickly by adding skills to roles earning up to £24K.

role description

Nothing gets where it needs to be without warehouse operatives!

Roles involve working as part of a team, often on a shift pattern, with a focus on accuracy.

entry requirements?

Working in a warehouse is a perfect entry level role, with the chance to learn skills on the job.

Any experience – either in the logistics sector or otherwise – will definitely be helpful for those looking to progress quickly, though!

what sort of person?

People who like to focus!

If you get satisfaction from a job well done or you’re a keen organiser, there’s lots to love in the warehouse. You might be on your feet getting the steps in, or dealing with cutting edge IT systems, but it’s all about making sure you and your team are hitting the mark.

MANAGERS & TEAM LEADERS
salary prospects

Expect to be paid between £22K and £28K, depending on your role, the size of your team and your previous experience.

role description

A combination of problem solvers and people… people!

Managers and team leaders provide the clear communication, leadership and responsibility that their crew of warehouse operatives need to thrive.

 

entry requirements?

If you can prove you’ve got the skills to lead, then it doesn’t matter if you’ve never stepped foot in a warehouse. A capacity to get the best out of people and processes is the main thing.

what sort of person?

People who like to focus!

If you get satisfaction from a job well done or you’re a keen organiser, there’s lots to love in the warehouse. You might be on your feet getting the steps in, or dealing with cutting edge IT systems, but it’s all about making sure you and your team are hitting the mark.

PLANNING / STOCK CONTROL / QUALITY / TRAINING
salary prospects

This covers all sorts of roles, with salaries from £20K up to £25K for those with the most experience and responsibility.

role description

Keeping a warehouse running efficiently requires a lot of careful supervision and planning.

These roles cover everything from resource allocation to spotting errors before they happen, alongside training colleagues to make the most of their own roles and responsibilities.

entry requirements?

Whether your skills come from the logistics sector, or from an entirely different job, you’ll progress with the right attitude and enthusiasm for improvement.

Every warehouse is different, so you’ll be learning and innovating on the job.

what sort of person?

The word here is ‘tenacity’.

You’ll be the kind of person who uses IT and numeracy skills to drive efficiency and improvement, whether you’re working with a larger team or independently. Your sense of satisfaction will come from making sure everything works smoothly – every cog in the warehouse machine.

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