Warehouse operator

Warehouse operator
stockist, warehousing and courier agent, distribution and warehousing agent, warehouse worker, logistics employee
In a warehouse or store, the warehouse operator receives the goods, transports them on forklifts to store them, prepares the orders and ships them. Computerized inventory management may also be part of its remit. More or less versatile depending on the company, this logistics operator is highly sought after.

Professional life
Logistics workforce in short supply
  In the vast logistics sector which has around 800,000 employees, three out of four logistics operators are warehouse forklift operators. Many logistics managers declare that despite economic difficulties, the number of logistics operators remained stable in 2009, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Mainly fixed-term contracts or temporary assignments
Warehouse forklift operators are one of the profiles sought by companies. The latter are experiencing recruitment difficulties. The contracts offered are often fixed-term (CDD) or temporary assignments.
Real career development
The career progression of the warehouse forklift operator should not be overlooked. Experience, motivation, personal qualities, aptitude for management... all criteria taken into account for advancement. Toward a position as team leader, inventory manager, shipping or receiving manager... after having followed additional training in IT or logistics regulations.
Beginner's salary
Around the minimum wage.
Working conditions
A function needed everywhere
Industry, commerce, distribution or provision of logistics services: they all need warehouse forklift operators. They are found among construction materials wholesalers as well as automobile manufacturers and transporters.
On very diverse sites
On a daily basis, he works inside a store, a warehouse or even outdoors on a loading dock. The dimensions of the storage sites vary: from around a hundred m2 for the smallest stores where the warehouse worker works alone, to nearly 20,000 m2, or the area of 4 football fields, where around a hundred warehouse workers are employed. !
A continuous activity
The warehouse forklift operator travels all day. Depending on the size of the company, he receives his work instructions from the team leader, the warehouse manager or the warehouse manager. Depending on his activities, he works with his colleagues in transport, sales or accounting departments. In certain positions, he is in direct contact with customers.
SKILLS
Aim for a place to the nearest cm2
The warehouse operator has a compass in his eye! To exploit the smallest cm2 to store products, he appreciates several elements. Distances, dimensions, heights, weights... when loading, unloading and storing goods using specialized vehicles.
Order and responsiveness
In his handling activities (moving goods, driving a forklift, etc.), the warehouse operator is skillful and precise. He is also very organized and quick and has a sense of anticipation. To control products, prepare orders, manage stocks... in order to meet deadlines.
Improved work tools
If some time ago, the profession required physical endurance and strength, this is no longer the case today. Equipment such as pallet trucks (vehicles equipped with a fork to transport pallets), forklifts, etc. have significantly improved working conditions.
More advanced skills
Finally, the profession is becoming more professional and requires new skills linked to IT and new technologies: laser guns, terminals embedded on trolleys, voice-controlled servers.
Nature of the work
Support products
The warehouse forklift operator works in a warehouse or store. It receives, stores, prepares and ships items of all kinds (computer spare parts, automotive supplies, construction materials, food products, etc.).
Each product in its place
When the trucks arrive, he unloads the goods, checks the quantities, sorts and classifies the products. He transports them using forklifts, pallet trucks and various handling equipment and stores them in a defined place. The items will then be destocked as needed.
From order to delivery
This professional manages orders based on a schedule. He fetches the stored parts and prepares them for shipping. He loads them into trucks and prepares the shipping documents. In some companies, he delivers himself.
Manage stocks “online”
To ensure computerized stock management