what is a warehouse operative?
As a warehouse operative, your primary role is to perform warehousing duties like handling raw materials for a manufacturing or production company. After production, you ensure proper storage of finished products to maintain their freshness and quality. Warehouse operatives are also in charge of distribution in warehouses or storage facilities. In distribution, you pack the ordered items and prepare them for dispatch. You also process shipments by sorting, loading or unloading inbound or outbound items from the warehouse.
When items arrive at the warehouse, you should confirm if they match the accompanying shipping documents and the items are the exact quantities in the invoices. Apart from the manual tasks, a warehouse operative also prepares and verifies the shipping documents. This ensures the goods are taken care of in transit and arrive at their destination in the highest quality.
what does a warehouse operative do?
As a warehouse operative, you primarily work in the logistics sector of large wholesale and retail companies. Any company with a large distribution centre or a storage facility to keep their goods before sending them to physical shops requires warehouse operatives. You can also be in charge of transportation, including driving large trucks from one warehouse to another.
Would working as a warehouse operative suit your interest in doing hands-on work? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a warehouse operative role.
average salary of a warehouse operative
According to National Careers, an entry-level warehouse operative earns an average salary of £16,000 per year. As you improve your experience and gain more skills, your compensation package increases to £24,000 annually. Some companies pay hourly or weekly wages, especially in shift schedules. Warehouse operatives also enjoy overtime pay and other benefits from the employer. For instance, permanent workers benefit from contributing to a pension fund and medical allowances. End year bonuses are also common.
what are the factors that influence warehouse operative salary?
Your salary as a warehouse operative hugely depends on the industry. For instance, when you work in retail companies, your compensation package differs from those working in manufacturing and logistics. The workload varies, and the material handling procedures require specialised skills. Hence, the wages reflect the complexity and scope of your duties. The work hours also influence the salary; shift-based workers in night shifts may earn more since they work unsociable hours. Large multinational companies with massive warehouses tend to pay more than small businesses with medium-sized warehouses. The location also determines the salary due to the demand for the role. For instance, if you work in London, your pay is higher due to the high cost of living and increased demand for the role as a warehouse workers.
types of warehouse operatives
Types of warehouse operatives depend on the roles they undertake in the warehouse. Some include:
• receiver: as a receiver, you are a warehouse worker in charge of receiving inbound shipments. That means your job is to record new raw materials or goods arriving at the warehouse. You also confirm if the finished goods are received in good condition and check the packing list to ensure the quantities match the invoice.
• forklift operator: your job is to move heavy goods around the warehouse using specialised equipment. Aside from moving incoming shipments to the ideal storage space, you remove outgoing items and load them on the docks or the trucks.
working as a warehouse operative
Working as a warehouse operative gives you numerous prospects. Some of the duties, responsibilities and work schedules to expect are explained below.
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warehouse operative job description
Some of the tasks that a warehouse operative does include:
- inspecting incoming products: a warehouse operative receives all the goods and materials delivered to the warehouse. Your job is to offload the goods and verify the shipment. You will inspect the packaging and record the damages before signing off on the delivery. It is also essential to count the containers and check the shipping documents.
- arranging items in the warehouse: after receiving a shipment, you need to sort the goods and move them into the warehouse. It is crucial to identify the appropriate storage conditions for the items to ensure high-quality standards are maintained. If the goods need refrigeration or specialised storage equipment, you should organise them.
- processing outbound goods: when a client makes an order, you process the goods and ensure they are shipped on time. You will pick the orders from the warehouse and package them for delivery in crates or boxes. You also prepare the shipping documents for the delivery.
- recording product information: as a warehouse operative, you maintain inventory in the warehouse. That means keeping track of inbound and outbound goods. You need to record product information using barcode scanners or warehouse management software since you will be handling vast quantities of goods.
- keeping detailed records of invoices and delivery documents: as a warehouse operative, you ensure delivery of goods is done correctly. You need to keep documents relating to every shipping, including invoices, the number of items delivered and shipping trucks.
- optimising space in the warehouse: when arranging items in the warehouse, you need to optimise space to store the maximum amount of goods.
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work environment
As a warehouse operative, you work in large warehouses and storage facilities. Some warehouses for finished products have modern equipment to keep them air-conditioned to store items safely. While some warehouses are clean, other storage facilities for raw materials are dusty. For instance, if the warehouse stores construction materials, the place will be dusty.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer, your colleagues may include those who drive and operate forklift, material handlers, telehandlers and warehouse associates, delivery driver positions. You are also likely to work in close proximity to warehouse supervisors and warehouse managers, and specialists such as supply chain managers, logistics managers position and transport managers.
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work schedule
Your employer expects you to commit to full-time or part-time work hours as a warehouse operative. You will work 35 to 40 hours full-time, while part-time schedules run 4 to 30 hours a week. Some companies also provide shift schedules that include night shifts, early mornings and weekend shifts. Overtime hours are typical during busy schedules like Christmas holidays when retailers need regular restocking of goods. As a warehouse operative, you are based in one warehouse or factory. That means the job doesn't require any travelling.
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job outlook
A warehouse operative is an entry-level position that allows you to build your skills. For instance, you can progress to a permanent position if you start in a temporary role. When you have experience and transferable skills, you can become the warehouse team leader or supervisor. The increased level of responsibility helps you gain more skills to move to senior positions like warehouse manager. Some warehouse operatives move to other logistics-related roles in retail like supply chain management, procurement officer or logistics manager.
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advantages of finding a warehouse operative job through randstad
Finding your warehouse operative 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 operative 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
Becoming a warehouse operative doesn't require formal training, but you need experience handling goods. Some of the ways of joining the profession include:
- apprenticeship: you can become a warehouse operative through an apprenticeship and complete your coursework while you work. The supply chain warehouse operative intermediate apprenticeship requires some GCSEs with maths and English. On-the-job training helps you acquire the relevant skills for the job.
- work experience: it is possible to start your career as a warehouse operative temporary or seasonal worker. You won't need formal educational qualifications, but some employers require GCSE qualifications and basic IT skills to manage warehouse management software.
skills and competencies
For job success, you need to develop the following skills:
- organisational skills: as a warehouse operative, you need to be organised for the warehouse functions to run efficiently. With organisational skills, you can optimise the space available and catalogue products in the storage unit to make it easy for other workers to find them. You will also manage hectic schedules by strategically organising the loading and offloading areas.
- it skills: a warehouse operative should have basic computer skills to manage large warehouses that use warehouse management systems. IT skills help you record the correct product information and barcode them correctly before storage. Using Radio Frequency Identification readers also requires basic computer skills.
- dexterity: you need strong hand-eye coordination as a warehouse operative. Dexterity helps you minimise errors and increase the overall productivity when reading packaging orders and labelling boxes or counting items manually.
- problem-solving skills: working in a warehouse environment is challenging, and you may encounter equipment malfunction. With problem-solving skills, you can handle issues and ensure the warehouse runs without glitches.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a warehouse operative
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what skills do you need to be a warehouse operative?
As a warehouse operative, you work alongside various tradespeople, which mean you need interpersonal skills to collaborate with others. Communication skills also help you communicate instructions.
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what are the responsibilities of a warehouse worker?
As a warehouse operative, you load and offload goods. You also organise storage areas and maintain the quality standards of the items.
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what do warehouse operatives do?
Warehouse operatives process the shipping and delivery of goods. You will prepare the documents necessary for shipping before loading items onto trucks.
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is warehouse operative a good career?
Becoming a warehouse operative is an exciting career with good prospects. It is an entry-level job that gives you the experience to grow in the logistics sector.
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what does a warehouse operative earn?
A warehouse operative earns between £16,000 and £24,000. The salary depends on the role and the industry sector.
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how do I apply for a warehouse operative vacancy?
Applying for a warehouse operative 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!
