Warehouse Associate in Reading

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation. At AHEAD, we prioritise creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD. We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD.

Under the supervision of the warehouse Supervisor, the Warehouse Associate is responsible for receiving, storing, picking, packing, and dispatching customer orders between the Assembly Department and the Warehouse. All duties must be carried out in line with AHEAD’s standards for safety, security, quality, and productivity.

• Verify goods received against purchase requisitions.
• Accurately pick, break down, and quality check (QC) orders for production in a timely manner.
• Pick and prepare orders for direct customer dispatch.
• Operate warehouse equipment (including reach trucks and forklifts) in accordance with training and safety regulations, including the Health & Safety at Work Act etc. 1972 and HSE guidance.
• Prepare pallets for freight shipments, including wrapping and strapping.
• Stock bins and/or shelves from receiving areas and return to stock locations.
• Package and quality check systems and parts for shipment.
• Process returns, including RMA (Return Merchandise Authorisation) and RTV (Return to Vendor) items.
• Create shipping documentation, including waybills and bills of lading (BOLs), for domestic and international shipments.
• Prepare and verify customs documentation for international orders, ensuring accuracy and compliance with shipping requirements.
• Verify all orders against daily shipping schedules/logs to ensure timely dispatch.
• Coordinate and complete internal inventory transfers between warehouse locations.
• Report damages and discrepancies for accounting, reimbursement and record-keeping purposes.
• Ensure timely and accurate receipt of products from suppliers.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute ideas for improvement.
• Assist with stock control, including periodic stock takes and cycle counts.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as required in line with business needs.

• Minimum Required GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths preferred.
• 1–2 years’ experience in a warehouse or similar environment is desirable.
• Basic administrative and/or shipping documentation experience is desirable.

• Ability to read, understand and follow step‑by‑step instructions, correspondence, and emails in English with a high level of accuracy.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to follow written, verbal, and diagram‑based instructions.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Basic numeracy skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Ability to work flexibly and adapt quickly in a fast‑paced environment.
• Team‑oriented with a willingness to learn.
• Ability to solve routine problems involving standard procedures.

• Warehouse environment with varying temperatures.
• Exposure to moving mechanical equipment.
• Moderate physical activity is required.
• Flexibility in working hours may be required in line with business needs, in compliance with the Working Time Regulations 1998.

• The role holder must be able to carry out the essential duties of the role, with reasonable adjustments where required, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Ability to meet productivity and performance standards.
• Reliable with regular and punctual attendance.
• Reach truck training/certification is desirable.
• A minimum of 2 years’ fork truck operating experience would be beneficial but is not essential.
• We will consider candidates based on overall suitability and potential.
• Any successful candidate required to operate lift trucks will be appropriately trained and authorised before use.

Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others in accordance with Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. All manual handling tasks must be carried out in line with training and risk assessments under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Lifting and carrying items (typically up to 25kg in line with safe manual handling guidance).
• Bending, reaching, and manual handling tasks.
• Use of hands for handling, pushing, and pulling.
• Operating warehouse equipment/vehicles (subject to training and certification).

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Please note that this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Employment is conditional upon satisfactory proof of the right to work in accordance with UK Home Office requirements.

£28,000 - £30,000 a year.

Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between. We fuel growth by stacking our office with top‑notch technologies in a multi‑million‑dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.