Salaries And Costs
Pay in Shrewsbury reflects a mix of warehouse, transport, and back office roles. Warehouse operatives often earn around £11.50 to £13.50 per hour, with FLT drivers earning nearer £12 to £14 per hour. HGV Class 2 tends to sit near £14 to £17 per hour, with Class 1 trucking rising to £16 to £20 per hour on nights. Coordinators and planners can earn between £25,000 and £38,000, with transport managers and operations leads often £40,000 to £55,000. Recruitment agencies charge a percentage for permanent placements, with many local recruiters quoting 12% to 20% depending on scarcity and seniority. Temp agencies factor in holiday pay, employer NI, and pension, then apply a margin of around 15% to 25%, with an uplift for nights and weekends. Clear talk about recruitment fees, agency costs, and pay rates helps employers forecast and gives candidates a clear view of earnings and shift patterns.
Qualifications
HGV drivers need the right category licence, Driver CPC, and a valid tachograph card. Forklift roles usually require ITSSAR or RTITB certificates, with in-house refreshers common on fast-moving sites. Coordinators and planners benefit from systems skills, awareness of transport law, and strong customer service. Team leaders and managers gain from IOSH and operator compliance knowledge, and, in some cases, CILT membership for credibility. Temp agencies and recruitment consultants will often check right to work, driving endorsements, and recent references before presenting a shortlist.
Local Hiring Challenges
Shrewsbury draws workers from the town and the wider Shropshire labour market, so commute times and shift timings matter. Early starts can limit public transport options, thereby tightening candidate supply for sites outside the centre. The town sits near the A5 and the M54 corridor, so logistics candidates can pick between roles in Shrewsbury and nearby hubs, which places pressure on retention. Local employers that offer stable rotas, secure hours, and fair pay tend to keep staff for longer. Staffing agencies can pulse-temperature cover through peaks, then advise on when to convert strong performers to permanent roles.
Key Sectors And Employers In The Region
The area mixes general warehousing, e-commerce fulfilment, food distribution, and manufacturing supply chains. Business parks around Battlefield and Harlescott host many sheds and last-mile fleets, with quick access to trunk roads. The town centre supports store delivery operations, and the wider county feeds routes into Telford and beyond. Employment firms with logistics desks understand these flows, so they can shortlist candidates who know local drops, multi-drop routines, and RDC procedures.
Common Job Roles Agencies Recruit For
Recruiters cover warehouse operatives, picker packer, FLT counterbalance and reach, drivers mate, van driver, HGV Class 1 and Class 2, transport administrator, logistics coordinator, transport planner, shift supervisor, warehouse manager, and transport manager. Executive search can step in for the depot manager and head of operations roles. Temp agencies handle sickness cover and seasonal spikes, contract work supports projects or fixed terms, and permanent hires build long-term capability for local businesses.
Seasonal Trends
Peaks arrive around spring refresh, summer cover, and the golden quarter, which runs in the run-up to December. Job seekers with flexible availability find extra hours during these surges. Local employers who pre-book with recruitment agencies tend to fill rotas earlier. Candidates who register with an agency in late summer often secure steady shifts into autumn.
Regulatory And Compliance Standards
For driving roles, agencies check CPC hours, digital tachograph records, insurance points, and working time rules. For warehouse roles, health and safety briefings, manual handling, and PPE checks are part of onboarding. Some sites request DBS checks for high-value or sensitive goods. Accurate timesheets and right-to-work checks protect both clients and candidates, and cut the risk of compliance issues during audits.
Regional Or Geographic Variations
Sites within easy reach of the A5 can draw from a broader workforce, which helps fill nights and weekends. Town centre locations attract non-drivers, though late finishes can still be hard to fill. Depots near Shrewsbury station benefit from rail links for day shifts, yet early trunks often need drivers with their own transport. Agencies will flag these patterns early, so you can plan shuttle options or lift sharing where suitable.
Entry Requirements
Warehouse entry roles focus on reliability, literacy for pick notes, and confidence with handheld scanners. Forklift roles require valid tickets and recent seat time. Driving roles require clean licences, CPC, and strong route planning. Office roles value a phone manner, familiarity with Excel and WMS, and calm problem-solving. Recruitment consultants can arrange site visits, short tests, and licence checks, then match candidates to the right shift and culture.
Quick Facts And Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical recruitment fees for permanent logistics hires in Shrewsbury?
Many agencies quote 12% to 20% of first-year salary, with terms shaped by role scarcity and volume hiring.
How fast can a temp agency place warehouse staff for a short-notice shift?
Same day is possible for registered candidates with site induction complete, with larger pools ready for nights and weekends.
Do agencies handle temp-to-perm routes for logistics roles?
Yes, most employment firms support temp-to-perm, with conversion terms set out in the contract and AWR observed after 12 weeks.
What documents do HGV drivers need before they can start through an agency?
Photo licence, CPC card, digital tachograph card, recent CPC hours, and proof of right to work are standard checks.
Can local employers request specific shifts for repeat agency staff?
Yes, many recruiters reserve proven workers for set patterns, which helps retention and improves site performance.
How can a candidate increase pay rates in warehouse roles?
Gaining an FLT ticket, learning multiple pick areas, and taking on keyholder or first-aider duties can boost hourly pay.