The logistics and distribution sector is a major employer in the UK and accounts for more than 15% of jobs in areas such as Greater Manchester, Merseyside, West Midlands and West Yorkshire. Companies in the industry need a wide range of staff, from hands-on warehouse workers to senior executives.

Manufacturing businesses, importers, supermarket distribution centres, third-party logistics operations and transport firms all require warehouse operatives to handle the delivery and despatch of goods. There are no qualifications needed for the jobs, which pay between £11,500 and £16,500 a year, and employers use a mixture of permanent staff and temporary workers hired via industrial recruitment agencies.

Warehouse operations also need a range of administrative staff, such as distribution controllers, logistics coordinators and import/export clerks. Entry-level positions of this sort pay in the range of £16,000 to £18,000, while experienced staff can expect an annual salary of £25,000 to £30,000.

While it is possible for workers in hands-on and administration roles to progress to more senior positions, most management and director-level jobs in the logistics and distribution industry are filled by people who began their career on graduate management training programmes.

Logistics and supply chain recruitment agencies often handle vacancies for transport, warehouse and operations managers with salaries of between £30,000 and £50,000, depending on the size of the organisation. Logistics director jobs are typically filled by executive search firms that specialise in £80,000+ positions.