Packhouse Operative in the United Kingdom
Fresh-produce packing and grading: labeling, quality checks and order preparation in temperature-controlled areas.
What you will do (realistic scope)
- Pack fresh produce to specification (weight, count, labeling, presentation).
- Grade and sort items; remove damaged product during quality checks.
- Assemble boxes, seal and label; prepare orders for dispatch lanes.
- Keep the line clean: wipe-downs, waste separation, tidy stations.
- Follow hygiene rules (handwashing, hairnets, PPE, no contamination risks).
This is production work: accuracy matters as much as speed.
Pay & hours (all rates are gross)
Typical hourly pay: £12.21–£15.26 gross.
Overtime: often available in peak weeks; premiums vary by employer.
Pay frequency: weekly or monthly depending on site payroll.
Start times: early shifts are common (site-dependent).
Shift length: typically 8–12 hours in busy periods.
Seasonality: demand may rise during harvest and retail peaks.
Displayed rates are typical market ranges; exact pay depends on employer, shift, location and performance scheme.
Short candidate portrait
You will likely succeed in this role if you are dependable, calm under repetitive pace, and strict about hygiene and accuracy.
- Shows up on time; can commit to shift schedules and busy weeks.
- Comfortable standing for long periods and doing repeated motions safely.
- Understands basic English instructions and can ask safety questions.
- Accepts routine audits: weight checks, label checks, quality checks.
Requirements (detailed, UK reality)
Must-have
- CV in English (mandatory for screening).
- Right to work in the UK, or confirmed eligibility for a sponsored route (employer-specific).
- Basic English for safety briefings, signage, and team coordination.
- Fitness for standing work, repetitive tasks, and manual handling.
- Hygiene discipline (food/produce handling rules).
Strong advantages
- Previous packhouse / food production / warehouse experience.
- Confidence with scanning, labeling, or line targets (KPIs).
- Experience working in chilled or temperature-controlled zones.
- Ability to flex start/finish times when production requires it.
- Any safety training (manual handling, PPE awareness).
- Expect site induction: hygiene rules, PPE, safe lifting and line procedures.
- Break schedules and paid/unpaid breaks vary by employer and shift length.
- Holiday entitlement is part of UK employment practice and is typically pro-rated by hours/contract type.
- Some sites may offer additional support (e.g., transport or accommodation arrangements); terms vary and should be reviewed before acceptance.
A day on the line (non-template narrative)
Your shift starts with a quick hygiene and safety check: PPE on, hands washed, workstation ready. The team lead confirms the product spec for the run (count/weight/label), then the line moves into a steady rhythm. You will rotate between packing, checking quality, and keeping your station clean. The pace is predictable—but you must stay focused: one wrong label or damaged item can fail a whole batch.
The strongest operatives are not the fastest; they are the most consistent—clean work, correct labels, and a stable pace for the entire shift.
How to apply (simple process)
- Build / upload your English CV (required for any screening).
- We review fit: availability, location preferences, shift tolerance, relevant experience.
- If a suitable UK request is open, we contact you with the next steps and required documents.
- Final hiring and eligibility checks depend on the employer and the role.
Why packhouses hire (role context)
UK packhouses operate on tight retailer deadlines. When volumes spike, sites expand shifts and add operatives to keep orders accurate, packed to spec, and dispatched on time. This is why reliability and hygiene discipline are often weighted more than years of experience.
- Quality-first: correct grading and labeling reduce rejects and returns.
- Consistency: stable pace keeps the line flowing across a full shift.
- Safety and hygiene: non-negotiable in food/produce environments.
FAQ (Packhouse Operative, UK)
What does a Packhouse Operative do?
You pack and grade fresh produce, label and box orders to specification, run basic quality checks, and maintain cleanliness around your station. The work is repetitive and accuracy-sensitive.
What gross pay can I expect?
Many roles advertise gross hourly pay in the range £12.21–£15.26. Exact pay depends on the site, shift type, location, and any overtime or performance scheme.
Is it cold inside a packhouse?
Some areas are temperature-controlled to protect produce. You should be comfortable working in cooler conditions and wearing PPE suitable for the zone.
Do these roles sponsor visas?
Sponsorship depends entirely on the employer and role. Many entry-level packhouse roles do not sponsor. Only proceed as a non-UK candidate if the employer confirms sponsorship is possible.
What English level is required?
You need enough English to follow safety instructions, understand basic production rules, and communicate issues (quality defects, safety risks, line changes) to a supervisor.
Related roles in Agriculture
- Seasonal Farm Worker (Entry, Low sponsorship)
- Fruit Picker (Entry, Low sponsorship)