How to Become a Warehouse Operative

Overview of the Warehouse Operative Role

A Warehouse Operative has a number of jobs to perform inside of a warehouse, including packing and shipping stock, inventory management and ensuring that everything in the warehouse is clean and organised.

To perform these jobs, the worker will need to have good physical strength to move large objects and receive deliveries of goods. They will also need to have good attention to detail to make sure everything stays organised and in its proper place.

It is essential to take proper health and safety precautions when working in a warehouse, as some workers might be operating machinery such as forklifts.

Dress Code

A Warehouse Operative will prioritise safety and comfort, wearing plain t-shirts or company-provided work shirts, sturdy pants such as jeans or work trousers, steel-toed work boots, high visibility outerwear, and appropriate gloves.

Warehouse Operative Responsibilities

A Warehouse Operative is responsible for keeping the warehouse tidy and risk-free, as well as sorting, picking, shipping and organising stock.

Warehouse Operative Tips

To do well in this role, focus on improving your physical strength and learning proper lifting techniques to prevent any injuries that could otherwise occur.

Some jobs will take priority over others, so it is important to know how to prioritise tasks to increase productivity.

Warehouse Operative Skills

A Warehouse Operative must have good attention to detail and always keep health and safety in mind, including wearing appropriate PPE. Physical fitness is also important to avoid injuries. If you need to know the best way to describe these skills, take a look at our Warehouse Operative CV template.

Physical Fitness

It is important to stay fit while working as a Warehouse Operative, as the role often involves a lot of walking, standing for extended periods, and moving goods from one place to another.

Knowing proper lifting form is crucial to avoid back injuries, and overall wellness is important for long shifts and lots of movement. Stamina will be built up while performing the job, but it is beneficial to have some physical fitness before starting.

Attention to Detail

Inventory management, picking stock and shipping goods all require good attention to detail so that the warehouse stock stays accurate, and any orders placed for replacement stock will also have the correct number of items.

Attention to detail is also important for checking for defects in stock, as faulty items will need to be dealt with separately from normal goods. Similarly, a Warehouse Operative will need to record stock accurately, making sure to consider any faulty stock or items that need to be omitted from a stock count.

Health and Safety

Following health and safety protocols is essential as a Warehouse Operative, as poor health and safety will cause accidents to you or your colleagues. Health and safety training will be given on the job, including proper use of PPE where necessary, such as high-visibility clothing, sturdy gloves and head protection.

Keeping the warehouse clean and tidy is also an important part of health and safety; a Warehouse Operative should be diligent in keeping the area free of debris to improve safety and productivity.

Duties of a Warehouse Operative

It is a Warehouse Operative’s duty to pack and ship items, manage inventory, and make sure the warehouse is clean and organised.

Packing and Shipping Goods

When packing and shipping items, it’s important to pay attention to the customer’s request and make sure the items are fit for shipping, replacing any damaged items and packing them neatly.

Before shipping, it is important to label any packages correctly, especially when dealing with customer information. Pay close attention to detail, as recording something incorrectly will cause problems later.

Inventory Management

The stock inside the warehouse must be counted regularly and recorded for accuracy, as any inaccuracies can cause issues for customers who will not be able to obtain stock that is not available.

When managing inventory, be precise with your records; this will maximise productivity and minimise issues for staff and customers. Dealing with inventory correctly will reduce delays and ensure orders can be delivered on time.

Ensuring Cleanliness and Organisation

An untidy and unorganised work area can cause accidents. It is important to stay vigilant when it comes to cleaning, making sure items and debris are not on the floor or on shelves where they can fall.

Organise stock appropriately so that it is easy to access and stored safely. On-the-job training is given to show new Operatives how to perform their tasks optimally, including how to handle stock when receiving deliveries or packaging items for shipping.

Warehouse Operative Career Progression and Advancement

With enough experience as a Warehouse Operative, it is possible to move into Team Leader and Supervisor roles, and with enough additional skills and progression, there are also opportunities in logistics.

Moving Into Team Leader or Warehouse Supervisor Roles

To progress into a Team Leader or Supervisor role, it is important to gain communication skills and volunteer to coach new staff in their role. Consider taking on additional tasks to gain more experience, use this time to track productivity, identify areas of improvement and address performance issues with the team.

A Warehouse Supervisor role will likely require additional qualifications. Ask HR or a higher member of staff about these requirements when necessary. Continue to gain skills in communication and leadership. A Supervisor will also need to understand forecasting to know how in-demand stock will be.

Opportunities in Logistics

Progression into logistics will require a greater knowledge of warehouse operations and a development of analytical skills to process data related to stock and shipping.

Logistics can also require extra training in areas such as inventory control and warehouse management systems. It is a good idea to learn more about transportation management and customs regulations for incoming and outgoing goods.

Discover how to developer your own warehouse operative CV today.

FAQs on Becoming a Warehouse Operative

Is Warehouse Work Physically Demanding?

Yes, it is often considered physically demanding as it involves repetitive tasks like walking long distances, standing for extended periods of time and lifting heavy items.

Do I Need Training to Work in a Warehouse?

You will need training in proper lifting techniques and safety procedures, and some roles will require machine operation training. This is usually provided on the job.

How Much Does a Warehouse Operative Earn in the UK?

A Warehouse Operative’s salary will vary depending on experience, but the average is somewhere around £22,000.

What Does a Warehouse Operative Do?

A Warehouse Operative receives, stores and ships goods in a warehouse. They might also be responsible for picking and packing orders.