Question 1

What does a packing team leader do?

Accepted Answer

A packing team leader supervises packing operations, manages a team of packers, ensures quality standards are met and maintains productivity targets. They coordinate daily workflow, provide training, resolve problems and ensure orders are packed accurately and dispatched on time.

Question 2

What award covers packing team leaders in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Most packing team leader positions are covered by the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (MA000084). This award applies to employees in warehousing, storage and distribution operations. Always verify which award applies to your specific business operations.

Question 3

What classification level should I use for a packing team leader?

Accepted Answer

Under the Storage Services and Wholesale Award, packing team leaders are typically classified at Level 3 or Level 4 depending on team size, supervisory responsibilities and decision-making authority. See our Storage Services Award pay rates guide for current classification descriptors and rates.

Question 4

Should I include pay rates in a packing team leader job description?

Accepted Answer

While not legally required, including indicative pay rates helps attract experienced candidates. You can reference the applicable award rate or use phrases like "Award rates plus penalties" or "Competitive salary package." Check the current award rates for guidance.

Question 5

What qualifications do packing team leaders need?

Accepted Answer

Packing team leaders typically need previous supervisory or warehouse experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and proven ability to manage teams. While formal qualifications aren't mandatory, a Certificate III in Warehousing Operations or Certificate IV in Logistics is highly desirable. Experience with WMS systems and quality control processes is valuable.

Question 6

What experience should I look for in a packing team leader?

Accepted Answer

Look for candidates with at least 2-3 years of warehouse or packing experience, including demonstrated team leadership or supervisory experience. Familiarity with quality control procedures, productivity monitoring, training delivery and problem resolution is essential. Experience with warehouse management systems and understanding of lean principles is highly beneficial.

Question 7

Do packing team leaders need any licences?

Accepted Answer

While not mandatory for all operations, a forklift licence (LF class) is beneficial as team leaders may need to operate equipment or provide relief coverage. An order picker licence (LO class) can also be valuable depending on the warehouse setup. Some employers provide licence training as part of career development.

Question 8

Can I promote existing packers to team leader roles?

Accepted Answer

Yes, promoting experienced packers who demonstrate leadership potential is common and effective. Look for team members who show strong work ethic, help train others, problem-solve effectively and communicate well. Provide leadership training and clear expectations to support their transition into the supervisory role.

Question 9

Should I hire casual or permanent packing team leaders?

Accepted Answer

Packing team leader roles work best as permanent positions due to the responsibility level, team management requirements and operational continuity needed. The role requires consistent leadership, relationship building with staff and ongoing improvement initiatives. See our guide on casual vs permanent employment trends.

Question 10

What penalty rates apply to packing team leaders?

Accepted Answer

Under the Storage Services Award, penalty rates apply for: Saturdays (150%), Sundays (200%), public holidays (250%), and shift work penalties for afternoon and night shifts. Team leaders may be required to cover various shifts. Use award interpretation software to calculate rates accurately.

Question 11

What are the minimum shift lengths for packing team leaders?

Accepted Answer

Under the Storage Services Award, the minimum engagement for casual employees is typically 3 hours per shift. However, team leader roles usually involve standard full shifts aligned with operational hours. Full-time or part-time contracts should specify regular hours and any flexibility requirements.

Question 12

What should I include in a packing team leader employment contract?

Accepted Answer

Key elements include: position title and classification level, employment type, salary or hourly rate, applicable award, supervisory scope (team size), main responsibilities, work location, shift patterns, KPI expectations, and any allowances for supervisory duties. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Question 13

How far in advance must I provide rosters to packing team leaders?

Accepted Answer

Under the Storage Services Award, rosters should be provided at least 7 days in advance where practicable. Team leaders benefit from advance notice to plan team coordination and manage personal commitments. Using rostering software helps ensure compliance and provides visibility of team schedules.

Question 14

What are typical shift patterns for packing team leaders?

Accepted Answer

Team leaders typically work shifts aligned with peak packing operations. Common patterns include day shifts during main dispatch times, afternoon shifts for late orders, or rotating shifts to provide consistent team supervision. Some operations require weekend coverage depending on customer service levels and dispatch schedules.

Question 15

What breaks are packing team leaders entitled to?

Accepted Answer

Under the Storage Services Award, employees working more than 5 hours are entitled to an unpaid meal break of 30-60 minutes. Paid rest breaks also apply based on shift length. Team leaders should ensure backup arrangements are in place during their breaks to maintain team supervision.

Question 16

How do I set KPIs for packing team leaders?

Accepted Answer

Effective KPIs include: team productivity (units packed per hour), packing accuracy rates, order dispatch timeliness, quality control pass rates, team training completion, safety incident rates and staff attendance. Ensure targets are realistic, clearly communicated and measured consistently through your warehouse management system.

Packing team leader job description