Salaries and costs
Hourly pay for warehouse operatives in Crawley often sits around £11 to £14, with night premiums pushing rates to £12 to £16. Forklift and machine operators can earn between £13 and £18, depending on their licence and shift pattern. Supervisors in production or logistics tend to land between £30,000 and £40,000, and engineering technicians often sit between £35,000 and £45,000. Recruitment fees for permanent roles commonly range from 12.5% to 20% of the basic salary, depending on the scarcity and seniority of the role. Temp agency margins vary by contract length and volume, with higher rates for short notice and unsociable hours. Clear discussion of pay rates, recruitment fees, and any onboarding or PPE costs keeps hiring smooth and avoids delays.
Qualifications
For entry-level industrial roles, agencies and recruiters often look for reliable attendance, basic numeracy, and a steady work history. FLT roles usually require an in-date RTITB or ITSSAR certificate, and reach truck or VNA skills can broaden options. Food or pharma sites may request Level 2 Food Hygiene or cleanroom awareness. Maintenance and engineering posts may require NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds, or time-served evidence. Sites handling aviation supply will expect airside awareness and tight security checks. Good references and willingness to complete site inductions give candidates an edge and help local employers hire staff with less downtime.
Regional or geographic variations
Crawley benefits from the M23 and A23 links, fast routes to the M25, and rail from Three Bridges and Crawley stations. Manor Royal Business District is home to warehouses, production lines, and technical workshops. Proximity to Gatwick Airport adds steady demand for packaging, MRO support, and bonded freight operations. Shifts often align with flight schedules and trunking times, which means early starts, nights, and weekend rosters are common. Agencies that know local bus routes and car-sharing options can broaden the candidate pool for out-of-hours starts.
Local hiring challenges
Peaks around aviation, ecommerce, and just-in-time logistics create short-notice bookings. Security vetting for airside or bonded work can lengthen lead times. Retention can dip where transport is limited or where overtime varies. Recruitment consultants who pre-register talent and map commuter links tend to fill jobs faster. Many businesses use temp-to-perm as a way to test-fit and stabilise teams. Candidates who are happy to work rotating shifts often move to permanent contracts faster in Crawley than in towns with fewer night operations.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Manufacturing plants, third-party logistics operators, and airline supply chains are the big drivers. Manor Royal hosts electronics, packaging, plastics, and precision assembly, with steady needs for pickers, packers, assemblers, and quality techs. Pallet network depots and cross-dock hubs require loaders and shunters for early and late trunks. Facilities near Gatwick look for cleaning teams, catering production, and bonded warehouse staff, with strict compliance routines. Employment firms that understand this mix can advise on rosters, vetting, and peak resourcing.
Regulatory and compliance standards
Right-to-work checks, references, and induction records must be complete and accurate. Sites linked to aviation may require DBS checks or five-year referencing. Food producers expect HACCP awareness. Health and safety remain central, with manual handling training, permit-to-work procedures where needed, and PPE briefings. Agencies that audit documents upfront reduce fall-through on start dates. For candidates, keeping licences and certificates up to date speeds placements and improves pay rates.
Roles and career paths
Common job roles include warehouse operative, picker, packer, FLT driver, production operative, machine minder, assembler, and quality inspector. Team leader, shift supervisor, and line leader roles are frequent stepping stones. With the right experience, candidates can move into roles such as planner, stock controller, maintenance technician, or first-line engineering. Executive search may be relevant for plant managers, HSE leads, and ops managers, where sector background and ISO experience matter. Staffing agencies with both temp and permanent desks can support moves from contract work into long-term posts.
Seasonal trends
Peaks cluster around summer travel, Black Friday, and Christmas, which lift volumes for warehousing and last-mile operations. Planned maintenance shutdowns trigger short-term engineering cover. Employers who pre-book temp agencies ahead of known spikes often secure better rates and faster fill. Jobseekers who register with an agency before the rush get earlier shifts and steadier hours.
Market and retention
The local labour market is tight when multiple sites recruit at once. Clear commutes, reliable shifts, and clean facilities support retention. Pay is important, yet small touches like regular rota communication and fast PPE replacement help. Businesses that offer temp-to-perm after a fair period often retain strong performers. Recruiters who track workforce travel times and bus timetables can suggest staggered starts that keep teams on time.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What contracts are most common in Crawley’s industrial hiring?
Temporary and temp-to-perm contracts are widespread, while permanent placements are available for supervisors and technical roles.
How fast can a temp start for a warehouse or production shift?
For non-security roles, same-day or next-day starts are common once right-to-work checks and inductions are complete.
What licences improve pay for industrial jobs around Crawley?
Valid FLT, reach, or VNA tickets help, and an engineering NVQ Level 3 can lift the starting salary on maintenance posts.
What do employers need to be ready before briefing an agency?
A clear job outline, shift pattern, pay rate, site induction notes, and PPE requirements keep fills quick and reduce no shows.
How do recruitment agencies price permanent hires?
Fees are usually a percentage of basic salary and vary by scarcity, often from 12.5% to 20%.
Where do most candidates travel from for early shifts?
Many commute from Crawley, Horsham, Haywards Heath, and Redhill, with carpooling on nights when buses are limited.
How can job seekers improve their chances of a permanent offer?
Keep attendance strong, complete training modules, and ask supervisors for feedback. Register with an agency and keep your availability up to date.
What sectors near Gatwick use executive search?
Operations management, HSE leadership, quality management, and engineering management are typical for retained or exclusive searches.