Warehouse operative
Keep the goods and products in a warehouse or stockroom safe and make sure they reach customers on time.
Also known as: despatch assistant, forklift driver, warehouse worker
About the job
What it's like
As a warehouse operative, you'll handle the goods and products in a warehouse or stockroom. It's your job to keep them safe and make sure they're delivered to customers on time.
In this vital role, your employer will rely on you to make sure customers are not left disappointed by damaged items or late deliveries.
You could be based in a warehouse, retail store or factory. Many warehouse operatives complete additional training to move into a forklift truck operator role.
It's essential that you have a strong understanding of health and safety rules.
Your tasks might include:
receiving deliveries of goods and supplies
checking for damaged or missing items
storing goods and moving stock around, using lifting gear or a forklift truck
packing orders, loading items and sometimes delivering goods
keeping records of stock and making sure paperwork is up to date
cleaning work areas
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation – explore the chartered body for professionals working across logistics, transport, supply chain and operations management
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- time management
- concentrating
- attention to detail
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
You don't need to study any specific subjects to do this job. It's more important that you have relevant skills and experience.
There are a couple of ways you can get into a career as a warehouse operative.
Work
You can become a warehouse operative by applying directly with an employer.
Experience in warehouse, storage or delivery work can be useful. Some employers may ask for qualifications in English, Maths IT or forklift truck driving.
Use the My World of Work job search to find vacancies.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Completing forklift training can give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Although, employers will often put you through forklift training once you've passed your probation period with them.
You may need normal colour vision if colour-coding systems are used to mark goods.
Some employers may ask that you have a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Warehousing and Storage. Use the My World of Work course search to find out where you can study a Warehousing and Storage SVQ.
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