Warehouse Assistant

Also known as:

Store/Warehouse Assistant

Introduction

Warehouse assistants help to load and unload goods vehicles. They monitor and control stock coming in and going out and to make sure nothing is missing or damaged.

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Work Activities

Warehouse assistants receive, store and send out goods from a warehouse or stockroom. They check all goods coming in and going out, to make sure that there are no items missing or damaged.

When they are happy that the goods are complete, they sign the delivery form. They also help load and unload the goods to and from the vehicle, either by hand or using mechanical handling equipment such as a fork-lift truck.

Warehouse assistants decide where goods should be stored within the warehouse. They keep computerised records of items stored and check the level of stocks, re-ordering if necessary.

When an order is received, warehouse assistants pick out the goods that have been ordered. They work from an order sheet and prepare and pack the goods for delivery. In some warehouses an order picker may pick the goods that have been ordered.

In a small firm, warehouse assistants may be involved with many tasks. However, in a larger warehouse, they may specialise in one or two areas of work.

You would usually wear protective clothing. Some goods, such as chemicals and fresh food, are stored in special conditions such as chilled storage areas, so you might have to wear an insulated jacket too.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You should be neat and tidy in your work. You must be accurate, and able to judge spaces when stacking and storing goods. Honesty is important. Basic computer skills are useful.

You must be physically fit, and able to climb ladders, stretch, bend and carry weights. It is important that you understand and keep to health and safety rules.

You may need normal colour vision if the warehouse uses a colour coded storage system.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates vary from company to company.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Warehouse operatives earn in the range of £230 - £260 a week, rising to £320 - £380. Higher earners can make around £400 a week. Hourly rates range from minimum wage to around £8.00 an hour. Firms may also pay bonuses and shift allowances.

Warehouse assistants usually work a 37-40 hour week, which may include shift work, evening and weekend work. Overtime, part-time work and temporary work is common.

Employment throughout the UK is with major retail companies, warehousing and distribution firms, central and local government departments, the National Health Service (NHS) and the armed forces.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Previous practical work experience using your hands is an advantage. Basic computer skills are useful.

• 11% work part-time.
• 1% have flexible hours.
• 5% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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