Career Path in Warehousing: Operative to Warehouse Manager
Warehousing is often seen as unskilled work, but the reality is that it offers a clear career progression with genuine earning potential. Many warehouse managers started on the shop floor as operatives. Here is how the typical career path works.
Level 1: Warehouse Operative
Salary: £22,000 to £26,000 (or £11-13/hr through agencies)
This is where everyone starts. Your job is picking, packing, goods-in, loading, or stock replenishment. At this stage, focus on:
- Learning the warehouse layout and systems
- Hitting your pick targets consistently
- Getting forklift trained (counterbalance or reach truck)
- Being reliable — attendance is the fastest route to promotion
Typical time at this level: 6 to 18 months.
Level 2: Senior Operative / Team Leader
Salary: £26,000 to £32,000
Team leaders supervise a section or a team of 5 to 15 operatives. You allocate work, monitor performance, and handle basic problem-solving. This is the first step into management and involves:
- Coordinating daily workload across your team
- Training new starters
- First-line absence management
- Basic reporting (end-of-shift figures, KPI tracking)
- Liaising with transport and goods-in teams
Many employers promote from within for team leader roles. Demonstrating leadership qualities as an operative — helping colleagues, solving problems, and staying calm under pressure — gets you noticed.
Level 3: Shift Supervisor / Section Manager
Salary: £30,000 to £38,000
At this level you are responsible for an entire shift or a major section of the operation. The role is more administrative:
- Managing team leaders and their teams
- Health and safety compliance for your area
- Performance management (appraisals, disciplinary)