Salaries and costs
Dartford sits on major routes, so pay rates track busy South East averages. Warehouse operatives tend to earn £11 to £14 per hour, with night shifts paying more. Counterbalance or reach truck drivers can see £12 to £16 per hour, rising for VNA skills. HGV Class 2 day work often pays £15 to £18 per hour, with Class 1 trunking at £17 to £22 per hour. Transport planners usually earn between £28,000 and £40,000, and shift managers often reach between £35,000 and £45,000. Recruitment fees for permanent hires commonly range from 12% to 18% of salary, with senior appointments priced higher. Temp agencies typically discuss margins upfront, covering holiday pay, pension, and statutory costs, so employers know the true agency costs from day one. Candidates should ask about overtime premiums and night uplifts, while employers should benchmark pay to support retention in a tight labour market.
Qualifications
Most warehouse roles are entry-friendly, though a good level of English and numeracy helps with pick accuracy and safety checks. Forklift work requires a date certification for counterbalance, reach, or VNA, with refreshers kept on file by recruitment consultants. HGV drivers need the correct category, CPC, and a valid digital tachograph card. Transport office roles benefit from strong Excel skills, WMS or TMS experience, and a calm approach to incident reporting. Supervisors and managers often bring IOSH or NEBOSH study, with IOSH Managing Safely being common in large sites. First aid and fire marshal tickets add value to multi-shift operations.
Regional or geographic variations
The town benefits from the A2, M25, and the Dartford Crossing, which pull candidates from Bexley, Gravesend, and parts of Essex. Crossways Business Park and The Bridge host big sheds that set the pace on shift patterns and pay. Thames Freeport and DP World London Gateway shape trunking routes across the river, which means agencies cover both sides for early starts. Proximity to Bluewater adds retail-linked peaks, and nearby Tilbury and Purfleet support port-driven work. Recruiters with local maps to hand can advise on travel times and parking before a shift is booked.
Local hiring challenges
Peak season spikes test the local workforce, with Black Friday and Christmas straining pick-and-pack teams. The Crossing can snarl traffic, so start times need padding for drivers and agency staff. Some sites run twelve-hour shifts, which limits the radius candidates can travel. Night work is well paid, yet families often prefer days, so rota balance matters. Recruitment agencies that pre-brief travel plans, site rules, and PPE standards reduce first-day issues. Jobseekers who register with an agency early in peak season get first call on the better shifts.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Third-party logistics, parcel carriers, and e-commerce fulfilment lead the demand around Dartford. Food distribution and ambient FMCG add steady year-round work. Retail returns and value-added co-packing often sit in satellite units near the main sheds. Local employers prize punctuality and safe working practices, and many offer a temp-to-perm route to reliable staff. Employment firms with on-site services can support start-of-shift briefings, licence checks, and daily headcounts.
Common job roles agencies recruit for
Logistics recruitment agencies in Dartford place pickers, packers, loaders, and forklift drivers on short notice. They cover HGV Class 1 and Class 2 day and night runs, as well as 7.5t and van multi-drop. In the transport office, they recruit transport planners, transport administrators, and compliance clerks. On the floor, they fill the roles of team leader, shift manager, and inventory controller. Executive search teams handle depot managers, operations managers, and transport heads when growth or turnaround is on the agenda.
Temporary, permanent, and contract options
Temp bookings cover ad hoc sickness, order surges, and seasonal peaks. Ongoing temps suit long projects and give time to test skills in live operations. Contract work is common for WMS migrations and stock counts. Permanent hires secure knowledge for the long term and reduce handover risk. Recruitment agencies and staffing agencies can mix temp-to-perm routes to give both sides confidence. Employers who need to hire staff fast should keep job specs tight, and candidates who want stable hours should ask about rota planning at registration.
Compliance and licences
Right-to-work checks must be completed before a shift starts, and agencies keep audit trails for clients. HGV drivers must keep CPC hours up to date, with licence checks run before booking. DBS checks are required when goods are of high value or sensitive. Sites expect strong health and safety briefings, near-miss reporting, and incident logs. Agencies that invest in pre-employment testing, such as literacy, numeracy, or manual handling, help reduce risk on busy shifts.
Commuter links and business parks
Dartford station links into London and the Medway towns, but most logistics staff travel by car or van. The A206, Bob Dunn Way, and junctions near Crossways Business Park carry high traffic at shift change, so staggered starts help. The Bridge, Manor Way, and nearby Erith and Belvedere add depth to the labour market, with shuttle buses used on some sites. Good signage for new starters and clear gate codes cut late arrivals on day one.
Market and trend snapshots
Order volumes remain strong in e-commerce, which keeps picking and returns busy beyond peak. Food and drink stay resilient and support steady night shifts. Automated picking is growing, yet the workforce still anchors packing, loading, and yard control. Agencies report stable demand for Class 1 trunking, with weekend premiums steady. Employers who publish rota patterns early and offer small retention bonuses usually save on repeat hiring.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical agency markups for warehouse temps in Dartford?
Many employers see margins of £13 to £16 per hour in general warehouse, with rates rising for nights and licences.
How fast can temp drivers be booked?
Same day is common for flexible shifts, and the next day for full day runs, with licence and tachograph checks confirmed in advance.
Do logistics recruitment agencies cover Essex as well?
Many do, as routes cross the Dartford Crossing, but planning local travel times is key for early starts.
Can I register with more than one agency?
Yes, candidates can register with more than one, but they should keep their availability up to date to avoid double bookings.
What documents do I need for HGV work?
Bring photo ID, right-to-work proof, CPC card, and a valid digital tachograph card.