Salaries and costs
Windsor pay rates reflect Thames Valley demand and close links to Heathrow. Warehouse operatives often earn around £12 to £14 per hour, with forklift premiums on top for RTITB or ITSSAR cards.
HGV Class 2 drivers usually earn £14 to £17 per hour, with Class 1 night trunking often higher. Supervisors and transport planners tend to range from £30,000 to £42,000, with transport managers above this when CPC is in place. Recruitment fees for permanent hires often range from 12 per cent to 20 per cent of salary, depending on role scarcity and notice periods. Temp agency margins vary with shift pattern, demand spikes, and compliance needs, so ask for a rate card that breaks out pay, NI, holiday, and agency costs.
Qualifications
HGV drivers need the correct category on their licence, a valid Driver CPC, and a digital tachograph card. Forklift roles require RTITB or ITSSAR accreditation, with refresher dates kept up to date.
Supervisory and planning posts favour WMS and TMS experience, strong Excel skills, and knowledge of routing, manifests, and pallet networks. ADR, DBS, or cold chain experience can add value for certain customers.
Regional or geographic variations
Being in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead puts employers near the M4 and M25, with A308 and A332 links easing trunk movements. Windsor and Eton Central connects to Slough for fast links to the Great Western Main Line, and Windsor and Eton Riverside serves London Waterloo. Proximity to Heathrow cargo and Slough Trading Estate shapes labour demand, with evening and night shifts common for trunking and cross-dock work. Town access and parking can be tight near the centre, so sites on industrial estates often draw better for early starts and late finishes.
Local hiring challenges
Competition for licensed drivers is steady, with Heathrow routes and parcel networks pulling candidates across shifts. Retention can dip on split shifts or rotating weekends, so clear rota patterns and fair notice help.
Parking, public transport schedules, and early-start reliability affect attendance, so mention on-site parking or shuttle options when you brief recruiters. Right-to-work checks and onboarding speed can make the difference in peak weeks.
Common job roles agencies recruit for
Employers lean on recruitment agencies for warehouse operatives, pickers and packers, forklift drivers, loaders, and team leaders. Transport planners, logistics coordinators, inventory controllers, yard staff, and dispatchers are frequently requested. For road transport, HGV Class 1 and Class 2 drivers, 7.5 tonne drivers, and van couriers support trunking and the last mile. Night shift supervisors and returns specialists are often requested in peak periods.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Many Windsor businesses use temp agencies for seasonal peaks or to backfill sickness. Temp-to-perm remains popular for warehouse roles, giving both sides time to test rota fit and output. Contract assignments suit transport planning or project stock moves, while direct permanent hire covers leadership and key licence holders. Ask recruitment consultants to outline SLAs on fill times, no-show cover, and conversion fees if temps move into permanent posts.
Regulatory and compliance standards
Drivers must keep within tachograph and Working Time rules, with clean records and CPC modules up to date. Warehouse teams need health and safety training, manual handling, and safe systems for racking and vehicles on site. Some employers will require DBS checks, especially for secure or high-value goods. Agencies should confirm right to work, references, licence checks, and training dates before starting.
Market and trend snapshots
Parcel volumes and e-commerce returns lift demand from October through January, with Black Friday and Christmas peaks. Tourism and events around Windsor bring spikes in last-mile and event logistics, with weekend and evening shifts common. Stock movements linked to retail changeovers add mid-year uplift. Recruiters report steady demand for forklift drivers with reach or VNA tickets and planners who can manage rapid re-routing on live systems.
Hard to fill positions
Experienced transport planners with strong WMS and TMS knowledge can be hard to find. Class 1 night trunkers with clean records and flexible availability often attract a premium. Cold chain pickers with PPT skills and accuracy metrics are in short supply during hot weather or promo runs. Transport managers holding CPC and multi-site experience are sought by growing operators.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical agency fees for permanent logistics hires in Windsor?
Many agencies quote 12 per cent to 20 per cent of salary, with higher bands on scarce roles.
Do logistics recruitment agencies cover both temporary and permanent roles?
Yes, most employment firms place temporary, permanent, and contract staff across the warehouse and transport.
How fast can a temp start?
Same-day warehousing is possible, provided checks are in place, and shift patterns suit the candidate.
Which licences matter most for drivers?
Driver CPC, digital tachograph, and the correct HGV category are mandatory for road roles.
Can I register with an agency as a new jobseeker?
Yes, bring to work documents, your CV, and any licences or training cards to register with an agency.
What shifts are common in the Windsor logistics industry?
Early, late, and nights are common, with weekend cover for parcel and retail operations.
How do local links affect hiring?
Access to the M4, M25, and rail via Slough supports trunking and delivery windows, which helps both employers and candidates.
What should employers include in a vacancy brief?
Shift pattern, location, pay rates, required licences, planned start date, and any site checks help recruiters hire staff quickly.