Salaries and Costs
Pay rates in Swansea reflect duty mix, shift patterns, and licence level. Warehouse operatives often see £11 to £13 per hour with uplifts for nights and weekends. Forklift drivers with current tickets can reach £12 to £15 per hour. Class 2 drivers are commonly paid £14 to £17 per hour, while Class 1 trunking and trunk to hub work can reach £16 to £22 per hour on premium shifts. Transport planners sit around £28,000 to £38,000, and shift managers range from £35,000 to £50,000 depending on headcount and KPIs. Recruitment fees for permanent hires are usually a percentage of basic salary with rebates tied to probation. Temp agencies work on hourly margins that cover holiday pay and compliance checks, and clear terms help businesses forecast agency costs.
Qualifications
Recruiters prioritise safety records, recent references, and clean tachograph data for driving roles. Forklift jobs need in-date RTITB or ITSSAR certification. Transport office roles benefit from strong Excel skills and routing software experience, and CPC qualifications are valued for supervisory and management posts. Right to work, DBS where site rules require it, and medical declarations for night work are common checks.
Regional or geographic variations
The M4 corridor and A48 link Swansea with Neath, Port Talbot, and Llanelli, which widens the candidate pool for time-sensitive operations. Swansea Enterprise Park and sites along Fabian Way feed steady demand for warehousing, last-mile delivery, and port-adjacent work. Rail links help with commuter coverage for early and late shifts when car ownership is mixed.
Local hiring challenges
Peaks around retail promotions and tourism can stretch driver and picker availability. Early starts and split shifts reduce applicant pools when public transport is limited. Agencies respond with on-call drivers, talent pools for twilight picking, and standby cover that keeps service levels stable. Clear rota planning and paid inductions improve attendance through the first fortnight.
Roles and career paths
Recruitment agencies place warehouse operatives, pickers, loaders, FLT drivers, van drivers, HGV Class 2 and Class 1 drivers, transport administrators, planners, and shift managers. Career paths often move from operative to team leader, then into planning or first-line management. For drivers, progression can move from van to Class 2, then Class 1 once hours and training align.
Temporary, permanent, and contract options
Temp agencies keep businesses covered for seasonal surges, sickness, and late bookings. Contract work suits fixed-term projects such as new route launches or inventory changeovers. Permanent hiring focuses on supervisors, planners, and drivers tied to service quality, where retention matters.
Market and retention snapshots
The labour market is tight for night drivers and experienced planners. Consistent rotas, clean handover processes, and fair drops per shift drive retention. Agencies will flag counteroffer risk and advise on probation targets that balance safety with throughput.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Distribution for food, home delivery, construction supplies, and manufacturing feed most requests. Port activity and regional hubs create backhaul opportunities, which helps keep hours stable for trunking runs. Employment firms with Swansea coverage understand these flows and can present shortlists that match licence class and site rules.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in logistics
Typical bookings include goods-in, VNA and reach drivers, pick and pack for e-commerce, multidrop van routes, Class 2 local delivery, Class 1 trunking, transport admin, and planning. Executive search teams handle transport managers and depot managers where compliance and cost control are central.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What recruitment fees should we expect for a permanent transport planner?
Most recruiters work on a percentage of basic salary with a sliding rebate during probation.
Do logistics recruitment agencies in Swansea cover night shifts?
Yes, agencies maintain night pools for warehouse and trunking work, with premiums for unsocial hours.
Can candidates register with more than one recruiter for driving work?
Yes, many drivers register with two or three staffing agencies, but keep availability updated to avoid clashes.
What pay rates apply to Class 1 weekend shifts in Swansea?
Premiums usually apply, with many routes paying above weekday rates to secure coverage.
Do agencies handle licence checks and DCPC records?
Yes, recruitment consultants verify right to work, licence status, DCPC, and tachograph data before assignment.
How quickly can we scale headcount for a promotion or peak?
With a clear brief and rota plan, temp teams can start within days and ramp in line with volume.
What improves retention in warehouse teams locally?
Predictable shifts, paid training on new kit, and fair pick targets reduce churn and raise output.