Best Tips for Finding a Warehouse Job
A comprehensive guide to warehouse jobs and how to find one. Get started today!
Warehouse jobs are not only popular, but during last year’s pandemic they have proven to be stable and in high demand as they kept supply chains running. Thanks to warehouse jobs, supermarkets have been able to keep their shelves full, while hospitals continued to receive their medical supplies, and home deliveries were uninterrupted.
Put simply, warehouses are buildings to store products. Although they can look plain from afar, they are hubs of activity with a strong focus on efficiency, and there are different types with their own characteristics each. As you look for a warehouse job, it is important you take note of each different type of warehouse and its expectations from its workers.
Types of Warehouses Offering Jobs
Private warehouse
Usually, private warehouses are owned by large companies for storing goods, such as raw material or stock. Although they can be off-site, many of them are located next to manufacturing plants, if there is one, to avoid transportation costs and potential spoilage. For example a grocery supply warehouse when dealing with fresh produce.
Distribution center
Distribution centers are less focused on storing products and more on moving products throughout their delivery territories. They usually receive large shipments of products early in the day and distribute them in smaller quantities before the end of the day. To ensure fast and reliable redistribution of products, these warehouses rely on computerized control and automation.
Cold storage
Cool warehouses preserve perishable goods, like agricultural produce. Refrigeration protects fresh produce from rotting for longer, but the temperature of the warehouse depends on the type of goods being stored, such as:
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Alive products, like vegetables or flowers.
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Products that are no longer alive and have been partially processed, like meat and fish.
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Processed food or products that benefit from a cool environment, like wine or tea.
Fulfillment house
A fulfillment warehouse, also called “pick and pack” is a facility where different products are chosen and re-packaged for distribution. They are different from distribution centers in that various items are received by the warehouse in large amounts, stored, and added to an inventory for tracking. Then those products are boxed and shipped, sometimes individually or mixing items from different shipments.
Types of Warehouse Jobs to Consider
There are dozens of different warehouse job titles, but only five categories encompass them all.
- Entry level
Annual salary: $25,000 - $35,000
Avg. Pay/Hr: $14-$22
These are all general warehouse jobs, easy to learn and essential to the warehouse’s smooth running. If you have no relevant experience or knowledge for any other warehouse jobs, this is a fantastic opportunity to get in the industry and develop your career from within. You can expect duties like receiving, shipping, and tracking inventory. These are the most in-demand warehouse jobs. As the industry grows, so does the demand for general warehouse workers, as they are the biggest portion of the warehouse staff.
- Skilled labor
Annual Salary: $35,000 - $65,000
Avg. Pay/Hr: $16-$20
These positions require specialized knowledge. Those entry level workers who have been in the warehouse long enough to learn and receive training become skilled workers. Some of these positions are forklift operator, driver, machine operator or engineer.
- Operations
Annual Salary: $55,000 - $110,000
Avg. Pay/Hr: $16
The operations team oversees maintaining the flow of the warehouse. If they identify anything needing improvements to make operations run faster or more efficiently, they find solutions, such as investing in new machinery or technology.
- Administration & Human Resources
Annual Salary: $35,000 - $110,000
These jobs are typically based in an office next to the warehouse, although sometimes inside of it. These roles are quite different from the “floor” jobs, and yet still a necessary team for the success of the warehouse. Some of their duties include accounting, recruiting, and clerical work.
- Management
Annual Salary: $75,000 - $150,000
Management roles are extremely varied, as they differ from one department to another, and from one warehouse to another. A skilled worker can become head of department and eventually become a manager, but companies also recruit externally.
Top Skills You Need
As you prepare yourself to look for a job, you must be aware of what hiring managers and recruiters consider most important and when it comes to warehouse jobs. The most sought-after skill might surprise you:
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Communication: This is appreciated in most jobs, but in a warehouse this is essential. A warehouse must run like a well-oiled machine, and communication is the lubrication that keeps it going.
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Good Physical Condition: Although you are not required to be super fit, you warehouse jobs require you to be on your feet most of the time and carry boxes around. If you cannot walk for hours or picking up heavy items, an entry job is not for you.
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A Sense of Urgency: Shipments are tied to strict deadlines, so being able to prioritize and work at speed is crucial to avoid delays in the flow of goods in and out of the warehouse.
How to Find a Warehouse Job
To find one of these jobs, you can follow three different approaches:
- Online portals:
Through them it is easy to send a lot of applications to different roles. They also help you compare salaries and responsibilities.
- Recruitment agencies:
Using a recruitment agency is also a great option, as they help smooth the application process and give you valuable advice.
- Apply directly to the company:
Check Out Some The Biggest Companies Offering Warehouse Jobs
A direct application to the company is the one requiring more effort, but it also is the most targeted application to make. Therefore, a direct application is the one most likely to succeed. If you have the contact details of the person in charge of hiring, introduce yourself without involving third parties and make an outstanding first impression.
If you choose this option, here are some large companies with their own employment portals to explore:
