A yard person, or yard operative, is responsible for manual work within a warehouse, haulage yard or storage yard.

Duties vary, depending on the exact nature of the company, they may include:

• moving and repairing stock
• loading and unloading vehicles
• cleaning and sorting stock
• picking and packing deliveries
• moving machinery when appropriate
• dealing with drivers and the public.

If promoted to yard supervisor or yard manager, additional tasks might be:

• organising workload within the yard or warehouse
• maintaining service levels
• serving customers or dealing with clients
• ensuring tidiness is maintained and orders are prepared
• making sure company procedures are adhered to.

Hours and Environment

Yard operatives often work at least 40 hours a week. This might include shifts and some weekend working. Part-time work might be available.

Work could be outdoors in all weathers or in a warehouse. It is often noisy and dirty and involves heavy lifting. Overalls or a uniform may be provided by the employer.

Skills and Interests

To be a yard person you should:

• be physically fit
• have the ability to think logically
• be able to work using initiative and as part of a team
• have good communication skills
• be aware of health and safety issues.

Entry

There are no minimum educational requirements to be a yard person. However, you will often be expected to demonstrate good communication skills.

Experience of warehouse or other manual work, such as construction, can be useful when looking for a position.

A driving licence is often required. Depending on the company you may also need a fork lift truck licence (see Fork Lift Truck Operator profile for details).

There is no maximum age limit for this type of work as long as you are fit enough to carry out the tasks. Employers may prefer entrants to be over 18 when the use of machinery is involved.

Training

Training is usually provided on the job, by a yard supervisor or other yard operatives.

Depending on the company, it may be possible to work towards NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 in Storage and Warehousing.

Those who progress to supervisor level may be given the opportunity to gain management qualifications.

Opportunities

Yard operatives are employed across the country and positions are advertised in local press or at Jobcentre Plus. Candidates could also contact local companies directly to ask if jobs are available.

Progression is often to yard supervisor or to other areas of distribution and warehouse work, for example warehouse worker or forklift truck operator (see these profiles for more information).

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Yard operatives are usually paid an hourly rate of between £5 and £7.
They can earn a salary of  between £10,000 and £13,000 a year.
Yard supervisors usually earn around £16,000 a year.

Further information

14 Warren Yard
Warren Farm Office Village
Stratford Road
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NW
Tel: 0870 242 7314