Salaries and costs
Chatham employers tend to benchmark pay against Medway rates, with warehouse operatives often on £11 to £13 per hour and counterbalance or reach drivers nearer £12 to £15. Entry level production roles sit close to local living wage figures, with night shifts paid at a premium. Skilled roles such as maintenance engineer or multi skilled technician can range from £40,000 to £50,000, with team leader or production supervisor posts around £30,000 to £38,000 depending on shift. Temp agency mark ups commonly fall in the 15% to 25% range, covering holiday pay, NI, and overheads. Permanent recruitment fees for industrial hires often sit between 12% and 18% of basic salary, with senior site management sometimes higher. Agree clear service levels, rebate periods, and payment terms before roles go live, and ask for transparent pay rate breakdowns so you can forecast labour costs across peaks and troughs.
Qualifications
Most entry roles ask for basic numeracy, health and safety awareness, and reliable timekeeping. Forklift roles usually need RTITB or ITSSAR certificates, with refreshers kept up to date. Food manufacturing sites often want Level 2 food safety and allergen awareness. Engineering maintenance roles may require NVQ Level 3, HNC, or time served apprenticeships, and PLC experience can help on automated lines. Agencies may pre test manual handling, colour vision, or basic mechanical aptitude where relevant, and many will arrange on site inductions for high volume intakes.
Regional or geographic variations
Industrial hiring in Chatham often mirrors demand across Medway, with clusters around Medway City Estate and sites close to the A2 and M2 links. Proximity to Chatham station helps with shift cover for early and late turns. Some heavy goods and last mile operations favour candidates who can reach sites without long bus changes, so agencies may map candidate pools by postcode and route. Pay can rise a touch for less accessible shifts or chilled environments, and rates may differ across nearby Rochester and Gillingham where site access and shift patterns vary.
Local hiring challenges
Short notice demand spikes are common before retail promotions and quarter ends, which can stretch warehouse labour. Early starts and split shifts limit the pool for non drivers, and parking is tight near some estates. Food production sites compete for the same packing and QA talent during audits, so two stage booking and standby lists help. Maintenance engineers remain hard to attract if call out is heavy, so clear rota patterns and on call payments make a difference.
Roles and career paths
Recruitment agencies in Chatham regularly place pickers, packers, machine operators, forklift drivers, loaders, and production operatives. Team leaders, shift managers, planners, and warehouse administrators sit in the next band. On the technical side you will see maintenance engineers, electricians, and quality techs. Career paths often move from operative to trainer or line leader, then to supervisor or shift manager. Skilled workers can progress into engineering planner, reliability roles, or continuous improvement posts, with later moves into site management for the right profile.
Entry requirements
Most agencies look for recent references, proof of right to work, and punctual attendance on inductions. Basic English for safety briefs is expected, with numeracy needed for counts and labels. Forklift roles need valid tickets, and some chilled or allergen sensitive sites may ask for medical questionnaires. For night work, reliable transport is a strong plus, and many clients now request zero accident or low absence records across the last year.
Regulatory and compliance standards
Industrial sites in Chatham follow HSE guidance, so agencies will brief candidates on PPE, manual handling, and safe systems of work. Food factories expect hygiene rules, hairnets, and no jewellery. DBS checks can crop up for secure goods or high value stock. Electrical and mechanical roles must show proof of qualifications, with lockout procedures part of the site training. Agencies should hold GLAA licences if any fresh produce or related work is covered, and will document right to work checks before assignment.
Common job roles recruitment agencies handle
Typical bookings include warehouse operative, picker, packer, FLT driver, machine operator, and loader. Many employment firms also handle planners, inventory controllers, quality inspectors, and returns staff. On days with heavy intake, temp agencies build pools for same day starts, then switch to temp to perm once attendance and output hit site targets. Executive search is used for operations managers, engineering managers, and site leads where discretion and shortlists are needed.
Seasonal trends
November to December pushes warehousing and last mile roles as retailers build peak shifts. Food sites lift output ahead of holidays, with more QA and high care staffing. January can soften, then demand climbs again with spring promotions. Summer sees holiday cover across production and engineering, so backfill planning with recruitment consultants helps keep lines running. Local events and roadworks can affect start times, so agencies often stagger inductions and coach travel on peak days.
Key sectors and employers in the area
Chatham and the wider Medway patch hosts distribution, packaging, food production, and light engineering. The Medway City Estate pulls in pick and pack, kitting, and value add projects. Smaller fabrication and assembly shops sit near river links and older industrial units. Employment firms that know these pockets can source staff who match the shift, the environment, and the commute, which cuts churn and improves retention.
Market snapshots
The local labour market is tight for night shifts and skilled maintenance. Day shifts fill faster where bus links are strong. Workforce retention improves when pay aligns with nearby sites, breaks are set fairly, and supervisors give clear targets. Recruitment fees remain steady for shop floor roles, with agency costs rising mainly when compliance or shift premiums are heavier than usual.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are common industrial pay rates in Chatham?
Most warehouse roles pay £11 to £13 per hour, with forklift from £12 to £15 and skilled maintenance from £40,000 to £50,000 depending on shifts and call out.
How fast can I hire staff through temp agencies?
Same day bookings are possible for vetted pools, with on site inductions arranged for larger intakes.
Do agencies cover both temporary and permanent hiring?
Yes, recruitment agencies handle temporary, contract, and permanent hiring, including temp to perm routes.
What documents do candidates need to register with an agency?
Right to work, proof of address, bank details for pay, and references are usually required.
Can agencies help with hard to fill engineering roles?
Many recruiters run targeted searches for maintenance engineers and controls techs, with market pay and on call allowances used to attract candidates.
What are typical recruitment fees for permanent hires?
Most firms charge a percentage of basic salary, often between 12% and 18%, with senior posts sometimes higher.