warehouse worker.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.