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Warehouse worker

Alternative titles for this job include Warehouse operative, warehouse picker

Warehouse workers load and unload deliveries, move goods to storage areas and pack orders for dispatch.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 48 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Meet Lauren

Lauren started as a warehouse operative before working her way up to warehouse supervisor.

50 second watch

View transcript

Hello, I’m Lauren Smith. I’m a supervisor at Evri at the Barnsley hub.

So I started when the Barnsley hub first opened up as warehouse operative. And then I started doing the admin, administrating, checking the staff in and working alongside the resource team. And then I got asked to step up as a supervisor, and this is where I currently am now. And I'm working to become a process manager. So in peak in our busy times, I'm hoping that I'll get stepped up.

So every day is different. I work on inbound currently. So we’re processing the parcels that come inbound. I also work on returns, so we're returning the parcels back to the client and also the parcels to the customers. My favourite part is working with such a great team. We're a really great team, we're like a family here.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by applying directly.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a warehouse or depot. These include:

  • Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Express Delivery Sortation Hub Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships take about one year to complete and combine on-the-job training with off-site learning.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly to be a warehouse worker.

Experience in warehouse, storage or delivery work can be useful.

You might not need qualifications, but some employers may want you to have GCSEs at grade 4 (C) in English and maths, or equivalent qualifications. Some IT skills can also be helpful.

More Information

Career tips

It may help when looking for work if you've done forklift training, though employers will often put you through this once you've completed your probation period with them.

Some warehouse worker jobs are temporary or seasonal.

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in warehouse work from The Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport and Generation Logistics.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a warehouse worker, you'll:

  • receive deliveries of goods
  • inspect paperwork and check for damaged or missing items
  • move goods around the warehouse using lifting equipment
  • check stock levels and make sure items are stored safely
  • pack, wrap and load items to be dispatched
  • clean the warehouse

Working environment

You could work in a warehouse.

Your working environment may be at height, physically demanding and outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a team leader, shift supervisor or warehouse manager.

You could also move into:

  • quality control
  • freight planning
  • distribution and delivery

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Royal Navy - Supply Chain Logistician Apprentice (Submariner) (Supply Chain Warehouse Operative)

  • Wage: £20,400 a year Annually
  • Location: The Admiral Sir Henry Leach Building, Portsmouth, Hampshire

The Royal Navy - Supply Chain Logistician - Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £20,400 a year Annually
  • Location: The Admiral Sir Henry Leach Building, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Sustainable Warehousing in Logistics [incl. FLT]

  • Provider: NORTH EAST MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
  • Start date: 13 October 2025
  • Location: Killingworth

Sustainable Warehousing in Logistics [incl. FLT]

  • Provider: NORTH EAST MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
  • Start date: 10 November 2025
  • Location: Killingworth
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Skills assessment

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