A day in the life of a warehouse worker
By: Patrick, redwigwam
So, you’re interested in taking up a career in warehousing & logistics but you’re not quite sure what’s in store for you in these jobs?
No problem, we’re here to help!
We've put together this blog to explore what the typical day in the life of a warehouse worker looks like so you can see if it is suitable for you.
The hiring process
Congratulations! Your application has been successful and you’re ready to start work.
First things first, you'll be invited to an induction. This may form part of your first shifts, or it could be completely separate. During your induction you will have a chance to meet the warehouse team, including who you’ll report to, and will also be shown around the facility, seeing the various moving parts of the warehouse and the different jobs that keep the place running!
This is also where you’ll also be introduced to the health and safety guidelines in place to keep everyone safe and where you will be helped with acquiring your PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) if you don’t have any, Hi-Viz vest, safety boots, etc.
This will also be the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you have about working in the warehouse and to discuss the best shift pattern for you.
Joe's story
Joe found himself looking for a job in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and turned to flexible work specialists redwigwam to help.
We found him work in a nearby warehouse - with weekly pay, ongoing shifts and a whole host of other benefits, Joe is now employed full time in a job he really enjoys.
Can we help you find work? Sign up here to get started.
The shifts
One of the great things about working in a warehouse is the flexibility and variety of shifts available to you. Warehouses are often a 24/7 operation and need workers for morning, afternoon and night shifts, so whatever your commitments are, you can be sure that there is a warehouse shift suitable for you!
Shifts are generally 8 hours long and the pay rates can vary between shifts.
Are you a student? Or maybe you have a family which takes up a large part of your day? Warehouses often employ both full time and part time employees so if you prioritise flexibility in your work, warehouses are absolutely something to consider.
The jobs in a warehouse
A warehouse will carry out a variety of tasks throughout the day which may mean that you’re often carrying out different jobs throughout your working week, depending on which part of the warehouse you’re assigned to.
Here are some of the most common jobs found within a warehouse.
Picker-Packer
Arguably the most common but integral role found within a warehouse is the Picker-Packer role.
Workers are assigned to the warehouse floor and are responsible for picking various items and getting them prepared for dispatch.
The detail orientated candidate in this role will either receive requests through a headset or some form of handheld device that will guide them through the warehouse using GPS mapping to ensure the worker follows the optimal routes throughout the warehouse, saving time and energy. The worker will then pull the corresponding item and package it in the correct place to be shipped.
Receiving
As well as shipping out products, warehouses will constantly be taking deliveries to keep their stock at a healthy level.
Workers are assigned to these stock deliveries where the name of the game is quality assurance. These items are often scanned into the warehouses inventory using barcodes or RFID tags when entering the building so that the process of being unloaded and placed in the proper place can be tracked.
Loading
Similarly, to receiving, part of your job will involve moving inventory that is being received by the warehouse from the trucks into the warehouse while also loading products that have been packaged onto trucks for outgoing deliveries.
Where those handling receiving will scan the goods coming in to be put into the facilities inventory, the job of a loader will be centred around loading and unloading trucks. Another similarity to receiving is the use of scanners or video to document what products have left the warehouse so this can be recorded.
Warehouse Operator
In warehouses today, there is a variety of machinery the massively increases efficiency in regards to moving inventory or assisting with packing. Some of the most common equipment you’ll find is a warehouse is a forklift, which are driven by licenced employees to list and move heavier goods or large pallets of products.
Warehouse Manager
One opportunity of progression in a career of warehousing is the eventual shift to warehouse manager who supervises all activities of the facility including team performance, ensuring the receiving and shipping of goods is as efficient as it can be as well as keeping an organized storage.
This detail-oriented team leader is responsible for streamlining all warehouse activities to help improve customer satisfaction as much as possible while also maintaining the rigorous health and safety regulations.
Sound good? Get in contact with us to book onto a shift in one of the many warehouses we have across the country!
