Today we mark the celebration of International Women’s Day; a day where we raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of women to drive gender parity across the world.

Team Simarco is proud to be an organisation which brings equality and diversity to its workforce, and we are committed to support and develop our employees at all levels in our organisation.

Today we introduce Steph, a Warehouse Picker from our North Staffordshire Depot.

Can you share your journey into the world of warehousing? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

I have worked in warehousing for fifteen and a half years and I love it. I have tried office-based jobs, but they didn’t suit me as I enjoy getting involved. I have been with Simarco for 8 months now; I am with a great team, and we all mix in to get the job done.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My role is really varied – no day is ever the same (which I love). I start my day by checking our system and seeing what orders need processing. Our customers all have different requirements, from different pallet types to personalised labels, so it’s imperative I know all the different processes.

When processing an order, I get involved with everything from packing, labelling, handballing, compliance control (making sure pallets and heights are correct, cartoon sheets are attached, and orders are processed correctly).

As I am out of the warehouse floor I am in constant communication with our office-based Contract Logistics Team to ensure that all orders are processed correctly and in a timely manner.

I have a great routine as I get to balance working and personal life.

Have there been any specific challenges you’ve faced as a female in the warehouse industry? How did you overcome them?

I am the type of person where I give as good as I get so I do not feel like I have ever been put in a position where I have faced a challenge due to my gender.

I really enjoy the warehouse atmosphere and there is always lots of laughs and jokes; it’s all about getting involved and working together not against one another. 

What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in warehousing or logistics?

Warehousing and logistics are not just a male dominated environment; there are lots of women who also work in this industry and there are many skills you can learn along the way.

My job role is diverse, which means I get to learn all elements of logistics and there are great opportunities to learn a variety of skills.

If you need help on a task – ask! It doesn’t matter whether your male or female everyone needs help at some point in their working lives.

It’s also about teamwork; if you have a great team who all muck in and support each other then it doesn’t matter the gender.