Salaries and Costs
Local employers use recruiters and staffing agencies to keep shifts covered and fleets moving, and pay rates in Wigan reflect North West market norms. Warehouse operatives often earn £11 to £13 per hour, with night premiums pushing higher in peak weeks. Forklift drivers sit around £12 to £14 per hour, with counterbalance and reach licences nudging the upper end. HGV Class 1 drivers can command £16 to £22 per hour, with tramping or weekend work paying more. Employers budgeting for recruitment fees tend to set aside 12% to 20% of the starting salary for permanent hires, and temp agency costs are usually shown through charge rates that cover wages, holiday pay, NI, and the agency margin. Same-day cover for drivers can reach £250 or more for a long shift, depending on route and start time. Transparent talk on salaries, pay rates, recruitment fees, and agency costs helps both businesses and candidates plan with confidence.
Qualifications
Recruiters and employment firms in logistics look for clean driving records for HGV roles, Driver CPC and digital tachograph cards, plus ADR where needed. Warehouse roles often ask for basic numeracy and manual handling training, with in-house refreshers common on-site. First-line managers who can evidence IOSH Working Safely or a Level 3 in Team Leading tend to progress more quickly through screening. Good practice includes checking right to work, ensuring up-to-date references, and confirming any site passes required for larger distribution centres.
Regional or geographic variations
Wigan sits between Manchester and Liverpool, with commuter links on the M6 and A580 and rail routes from Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate. Many candidates will travel from Leigh, Standish, and Ashton-in-Makerfield for early starts, so recruiters plan around bus and train timetables. Business parks such as Martland Park and sites near the M6 see later cut-offs for shifts, and rural drop points can add mileage for drivers on multi-drop runs. Local recruiters know which depots draw labour from which postcodes, and advise on shift patterns that suit the commuter flow.
Local hiring challenges
Short lead times during e-commerce peaks put pressure on temp agencies to scale quickly, and retention can suffer when overtime dries up after the peak. Night shifts limit the available workforce, and depot locations off main bus routes narrow the candidate pool. Recruitment consultants work with businesses on rota planning, guaranteed hours for key pickers, and staggered start times to widen reach. A fair approach to holiday booking and clear route notes for drivers helps control turnover.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Third-party logistics, parcels, food distribution, and manufacturing supply lines anchor demand in Wigan. Chilled and ambient warehouses, last-mile delivery firms, and regional hauliers all hire through logistics recruitment agencies. Local businesses in retail distribution and packaging often use temp-to-perm routes to build stable teams, and job seekers who register with an agency early in the week tend to land the first wave of bookings.
Regulatory or compliance standards
For transport roles, the Driver CPC must be valid, and tachograph rules must be followed during breaks and working time. For warehouse sites, basic health and safety training, PPE compliance, and near-miss reporting are part of day one onboarding. Where roles involve food, expect food safety induction and hygiene briefings. Many clients request DBS checks for high-value goods, and agencies maintain clear records of hours and rest days to protect both the employer and the workforce.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in that sector or area
Recruitment agencies and recruiters in Wigan cover pickers, packers, loaders, FLT drivers, reach and counterbalance operators, van drivers, HGV Class 1 and 2, planners, transport clerks, shift supervisors, and depot managers. Staffing agencies often run executive searches for transport managers and operations leaders, and employment firms place schedulers and stock controllers for permanent growth.
Seasonal trends or themes
Black Friday through to January drives temporary, permanent, and contract work across warehouses and trunking routes. Summer brings food and drink peaks that pull drivers and loaders onto different shift patterns. Agencies encourage candidates to keep licences and training in date, and advise businesses to lock in peak rotas and rates early, which helps retention and cuts last-minute premium costs.
Roles and career paths
Wigan offers clear steps from a picker or loader into FLT, from a transport clerk into planner, and from a team leader into shift management. Candidates who develop inventory skills, WMS knowledge, and basic Excel skills move faster. Employers support growth through structured inductions and cross-training, which helps workforce stability when volumes swing.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical agency markups for warehouse temps in Wigan?
Charge rates vary by shift and role, but a fair guide is £14 to £18 per hour for entry roles, rising with nights and licences.
How quickly can a recruiter fill an HGV Class 1 vacancy?
Same-day cover is possible for ad hoc shifts, with permanent hires often closing within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on notice periods.
Do agencies handle right-to-work checks for logistics roles?
Yes. Recruiters verify documents, check licences, and record training dates to ensure employers remain compliant.
Can job seekers find temp-to-perm routes through Wigan agencies?
Yes. Many clients use temp-to-perm paths to trial fit, with conversion points agreed at the start.
What paperwork do van drivers need at registration?
A valid licence, recent references, proof of address, right to work documents, and any recent delivery KPIs if available.