Packer: What is the cost of hiring?
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Packer: What is the cost of hiring?
As of April 2022, the average number of job seekers per packer job in Australia is 93.
a packer: What is the cost of hiring?
As of April 2022, the average number of job seekers per packer job in Australia is 93.
Why hire a packer?
Hiring a packer is a must if your operations are busy and you need to get the right products to the customer in a timely manner. A good packer will have an eye for detail and a great work ethic. Skilled packers will help you keep your operations running smoothly and efficiently and your customers happy.
Contributions of a great packer:
- Reliable, organised and able to work independently
- Able to perform demanding physical work
- Willing to work flexible hours and shifts
Deciding between a full-time vs freelance packer
Packers can be hired full-time or on a contract basis, usually through an agency. Employing a packer directly means they will become highly familiar with your facilities, processes and products to be picked, which can prevent mistakes and make the pick packing process more streamlined. Of course, you’ll have to pay the standard
employee
benefits such as superannuation for full-time packers.
If your business is seasonal, you may want to invest in temporary contract packers as needed in busy periods, such as the lead-up to Christmas. Hiring contract packers has the advantage that you can scale up or down their numbers as needed, giving you greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Contract packers are also a good choice if your production line requirements need them to perform shift work.
What are the different types of packer?
When hiring a packer, it’s important you know exactly which type of packer your business needs. Here are some common types of packer and related roles:
- Warehouse pick packer: Picks and packs goods in warehouses and distribution centres to fulfil orders for retail, manufacturing or wholesale businesses.
- Meat packer: Works at farms or abattoirs; prepares and packs meat and byproducts in sterile containers; needs to adhere to strict hygiene standards.
- Freight worker: Prepares long-distance shipments, often in cargo containers or trucks, including the necessary documentation, e.g. for customs; maintains accurate inventory lists.
- Movers: Packs general household and delicate items in protective boxes to prevent damage, loads them onto trucks and unloads them at the customer’s new domicile.
Where to find a packer
To find the right packer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:
- Vehicle advertising: Post signs on your company cars or trucks to let the public know that you’re looking to hire warehouse staff. This is an effective, low-cost method to reach a large number of people.
- Personal referrals: Ask your current employees and even family members if they know someone who might be a good fit.
- Schools and TAFEs: Attend local high school and TAFE open days to network with entry-level workers and school-leavers who may be looking for their first full-time role or a part-time job alongside their studies.
- Training or internships: Offer training or internship positions for young people. This will make you desirable as an
employer
and is a good investment if they stay on after their training or internship period.
Post your job online: Try posting your packer job on Indeed to find and attract quality packer candidates.
Skills to look for in a great packer
A great packer candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:
- having finished year 10, with any previous warehouse operations experience or training being an advantage
- being physically fit and able to be on their feet throughout their shift
- being well organised and able to manage paperwork and labelling
- an ability to work independently in a dynamic warehouse environment
- an ability to operate warehouse vehicles and equipment
Writing a packer job description
A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified packer candidates. A packer job description includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position.
When writing your job description for a packer, consider including some or all of the following keywords to strengthen the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on packer jobs, according to Indeed data:
- pick packer
- packer
- warehouse
- warehouse worker
- picking packing
- packing
- pick packing
- order picker
Interviewing packer candidates
Strong candidates for packer positions will be confident answering questions regarding:
- experience in a busy warehouse environment
- ability to operate warehouse vehicles and equipment, and corresponding licences or training
-
workplace
health and safety awareness
- knowledge of handling dangerous or fragile goods
- ability to multitask and prioritise time effectively
Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of packer interview questions for examples (with sample answers).
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
