Job type

Packer

£12k - £22k

Typical salary

41 – 43

Hours per week

Packers work in factories and warehouses, putting products into containers like boxes and crates for delivery.

More info

  • Pack goods for delivery in stock rooms, factories and warehouses
  • You may need to work shifts, be on your feet and work in cold environments like warehouses and chillers
  • Progress into supervision, delivery driving or logistics

As a packer, you'll be responsible for ensuring products are packed accurately into containers, ready in time for delivery.

DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES

  • Packing goods with bubble wrap and polystyrene chips
  • Sealing containers using glue, staples or shrink-wrap
  • Weighing and labelling packaged goods
  • Reporting problems to supervisors
  • Cleaning work areas

DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT

You could work in a factory or in a warehouse, and your working environment may be cool.

You'll need

To be a packer, you'll need the ability to work well with others, patience in stressful situations, the ability to work well on your own as well as with other people, customer service skills, knowledge of English language, sensitivity and understanding, and the ability to work well with your hands.

There are no set entry requirements, but you may have to take an assessment to check your practical skills before being offered a job. Previous experience in packaging or any manufacturing role can help.

You might be able to start work as a packer through a warehouse operative intermediate apprenticeship. You could do this with a retail, distribution or manufacturing company.

You may need a forklift licence for some jobs.

CAREER PROSPECTS

With experience you could become a supervisor or shift leader. With training, you could work in quality control or move into delivery work.