what is a warehouse worker?
As a warehouse worker or operative, you work in a company warehouse. Your duties involve organising and preparing shipping items, merchandise or company supplies. You take delivery of incoming supplies or goods and arrange them in the storage facilities. The work can be physically demanding since you 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 goods or materials. That 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, mining companies and manufacturing industries. Your job always involves assisting with shipping, receiving and handling heavy loads.
warehouse worker jobsaverage salary of a warehouse worker
A warehouse worker earns an average salary of $55,000 per year. New warehouse workers without experience earn a salary of $50,000 annually. With experience, the remuneration package increases to $60,000 yearly.
what factors affect the salary of a warehouse worker?
Warehouse workers' earnings differ based on job responsibilities and competency level. Warehouse work doesn't require any formal qualifications. However, having some formal training in warehouse management improves your salary prospects. Your expertise and competency in using warehouse management software also increase your remuneration.
When you have extensive experience, you can negotiate a higher salary. Entry-level warehouse workers have minimal skills in inventory management or operating various warehouse tools. Experience boosts your reliability and increases your remuneration.
The industry you work in may also influence your salary. For instance, manufacturing or mining warehouses involve operating complex equipment and warehouse tools. The additional skills required can increase your salary prospects.
Want to know what you will earn as a warehouse worker? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of warehouse workers
Some types of warehouse workers include:
- warehouse associates: a warehouse associate carries out all warehouse activities, from moving goods and tracking inventory to labelling items and preparing shipping invoices.
- warehouse loaders: as a warehouse loader, you pack goods in a warehouse into shipping containers and delivery trucks. You ensure the items are safe during transit by packing them appropriately. You also track the shipments from dispatch to delivery at the destination.
- warehouse clerks: a warehouse clerk records orders and supervises processing to ensure customers receive their orders.
- forklift operators: your job is to move inventory around the warehouse using a forklift. Sometimes, you also load and offload goods from containers or delivery trucks.
working as a warehouse worker
Working as a warehouse worker involves moving goods in storage facilities. It can be a physically demanding role since you move some items manually. Read on for details on the duties and responsibilities associated with the role.
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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. You arrange the raw materials or finished products and ensure they are properly stored. For instance, if the products require refrigeration, you ensure the storage environment is at the right temperature.
- maintaining inventory records: as a warehouse worker, you document the products or supplies you stock on the shelves. You record goods leaving the warehouse and provide a daily inventory report to the supervisor. It is also important to report missing or damaged items. Keeping meticulous records helps you track the merchandise and provide accurate reports to the suppliers and delivery teams.
- verifying incoming shipment: your job involves verifying shipments against invoices to ensure you receive accurate goods from carriers. You verify items against order details when loading delivery trucks to ensure correct quantities. Reporting any incorrect merchandise delivered is crucial.
- packaging and labelling: as a warehouse worker, you package products according to the company standards. You ensure that the packaging keeps the items in excellent condition during transit.
- contacting suppliers: you are responsible for reaching out to suppliers to communicate any delays in the shipping schedule. You also engage with the suppliers about emerging issues in production that affect the delivery of goods.
- operating heavy machinery: when moving raw materials or finished products, you rely on forklifts and heavy machinery. You operate the machinery and conduct regular maintenance on warehouse equipment. Being familiar with the role of each piece of equipment is important. For instance, a side loader is for lifting long items, while a pallet jack is for moving compact pallets in the warehouse.
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work environment
Your work environment is a climate-controlled warehouse or storage facility where you assist with handling merchandise and company inventory. Typically, warehouse work is manual and includes lots of physical labour and equipment operation. The job involves fieldwork, like driving company vehicles to deliver goods to customers. Office work, such as logging details 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 pickers, pick packers, forklift operators, forklift drivers, and packers. You might also be working in close proximity to cleaners and crane operators, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, warehouse managers and factory supervisors.
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work schedule
Like most industries, warehouse work requires 40 hours per week, and you may also get overtime. Warehouse workers' schedules vary since storage, manufacturing and logistics industries work around the clock. Warehouses that operate 24 hours have shifts ranging throughout the day. For example, you may start late at night, while others log in as early as 6 am. There are also plenty of opportunities for overtime, and you can work 10- to 12-hour shifts. In some industries, Saturday shifts are mandatory. Travelling is 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 the role of a warehouse worker and progressing to a warehouse 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 organisational structure of different industries, warehouse work also helps you learn 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
Formal education is not mandatory for warehouse workers. However, consider earning the following qualifications:
- educational qualifications: most employers provide on-the-job training for warehouse workers. However, undertaking a study in the field can increase your employability. Consider completing a Certificate III in warehouse operations in a VET institution or a registered training organisation.
- work experience: you can work as a warehouse worker without experience. However, prior work experience in manufacturing or retail environments improves career prospects. Improve your experience by earning a forklift licence. In Australia, warehouse workers require a high-risk work licence from Safe Work Australia.
skills and competencies
The following skills will help you succeed as a warehouse worker:
- interpersonal skills: people skills determine how well you work alongside a team. 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 your tasks. Organisational skills also determine how you arrange your space to make it ideal for productivity, allowing you to focus without sacrificing the quality of your output.
- technical skills: working in a warehouse requires maths and computer 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 environments that operate on strict schedules, as shipments are made daily. It is important to keep up the pace 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, as they reduce the need for costly repairs.
FAQs about working as a warehouse worker
Here are the most asked questions about working as a warehouse worker:
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what are the duties of a warehouse worker?
As a warehouse worker, you are responsible for various tasks, including restocking shelves, accepting incoming shipping and processing orders. You package outgoing orders and load them for delivery. It is important to check the inventory regularly to ensure the company has sufficient raw materials. Your role involves communicating with suppliers to keep them updated on the shipping process.
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how much does a warehouse worker make in australia?
A warehouse worker earns between $50,000 and $60,000 per year. An entry-level warehouse worker earns a lower salary of $50,000 annually. However, the remuneration package increases with experience and competency level. Working in busy and large warehouses pays more due to the complex tasks involved. When you work full-time, your hourly rates are usually higher than working part-time.
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what three skills should every warehouse worker have?
A good warehouse worker is dependable. Your employer relies on you to keep the warehouse running. It is also important to be flexible and handle diverse work requirements. Flexibility helps you adapt to changing work schedules and manage busy work environments. Being organised and maintaining a cool head ensures you remember all the tasks on your to-do list.
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is the warehouse work hard?
Warehouse work can be physically challenging since it involves manual tasks. However, it has its perks, like schedule flexibility and working with a diverse group of people. You also have various career growth opportunities.
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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 warehouse worker job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
