Career change as a shipping clerk

Career change paths

• Dispatcher

  Also: Shipping dispatcher, Route planner

  With on-the-job training

  In dispatching you plan routes, vehicles and delivery dates, and coordinate with drivers, the warehouse and customers.

  What you bring:

  You know loading times, shipping documents, packaging and the typical bottlenecks at the loading dock.

  How to get there:

  This is an internal switch to shipping or transport dispatching, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) that usually lasts a few months, often with a course for dispatchers. With a qualification as warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) you have good prerequisites for this. Some freight forwarders also expect commercial training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightIn an office

  €3,917gross per monthMedian salary

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• Purchasing planner

  Also: Purchasing clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In purchasing you order goods, collect quotes, monitor delivery dates and clarify complaints with suppliers.

  What you bring:

  You know suppliers, delivery reliability, minimum stock levels and shortages from goods receipt.

  How to get there:

  This is an internal switch to purchasing or dispatching, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) that usually lasts a few weeks to a few months. A commercial qualification is often expected. Later, you can take part-time further training in purchasing at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Materials planner

  Also: Production planner

  With on-the-job training

  In the materials planning of an industrial company you plan when each material has to be ready for production, and you reorder it.

  What you bring:

  You know stock, warehouse management systems and the consequences of missing parts from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the materials management of an industrial company, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months, with training in the ERP system. Warehouse staff often switch internally from the plant warehouse.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,873gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality inspector

  Also: Goods inspector

  With on-the-job training

  In quality inspection you check goods and components according to inspection plans, measure them and document the results.

  What you bring:

  You check quantities, damage and labels at goods receipt and document deviations carefully.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the quality assurance of an industrial or trading company, usually lasting a few weeks, often with training in measuring instruments and testing methods. Technical understanding is needed.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €4,159gross per monthMedian salary

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• Forklift driver

  Also: Intralogistics worker

  With on-the-job training

  As a forklift driver, you load and unload trucks, supply packing stations and production with material and store goods in and out.

  What you bring:

  You know pallets, load carriers and shipping processes from daily work.

  How to get there:

  You need a forklift license under DGUV Principle 308-001 (DGUV Grundsatz 308-001). The course usually takes 1 to 3 days, followed by an introduction at the company and a written driving authorization. The course is partly funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein), and companies can also train their staff themselves.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,198gross per monthMedian salary

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• Machine and plant operator in packaging

  Also: Machine operator at packaging and filling plants

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  At packaging and filling plants, you set up formats, reload material, monitor the machine and fix minor faults.

  What you bring:

  You know packaging materials, labels and the requirements for clean packaging from manual work.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a machine operator with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the company, usually lasting a few weeks. Shift work is usual. You can also reach the qualification as a machine and plant operator (Maschinen- und Anlagenführer/in; training 2 years) through retraining (Umschulung) or as an external exam (Externenprüfung) under § 45 para. 2 BBiG.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,941gross per monthMedian salary

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• Pharma production worker

  Also: Pharmaceutical production operator

  With on-the-job training

  In pharmaceutical or chemical production, you make products at plants, pack them under cleanroom conditions and document every step.

  What you bring:

  You work exactly to specifications, check batches, quantities and labels and keep to hygiene rules.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a production worker with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) and training in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Shift work is usual. A qualification comes from retraining (Umschulung) as a pharmaceutical production operator (Pharmakant/in), usually a good 2 years, or as a chemical production specialist (Produktionsfachkraft Chemie), usually about 16 months. Both are often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €4,942gross per monthMedian salary

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• Nursing assistant

  Also: Nursing assistant in elderly care

  With on-the-job training

  In nursing, you support qualified nurses with personal hygiene, eating and moving around, and you are there for people who need help.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably in a team, keep to fixed routines and hygiene rules and are used to physical work.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a nursing assistant after a basic nursing course (Pflegebasiskurs) of a few weeks. For a qualification, you can do vocational training (Ausbildung) as a nursing assistant (Pflegefachassistentin/Pflegefachassistent). From 2027 this training is uniform nationwide and usually takes 18 months full-time, with training pay.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,296gross per monthMedian salary

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• Warehouse manager

  Also: Shift leader in logistics, Logistics master (Logistikmeister)

  With further trainingPromotion

  As shift or warehouse manager you plan staff, space and processes, and you are responsible for stock and occupational safety.

  What you bring:

  You know all the processes from goods receipt through order picking to shipping, and you know where errors and waiting times arise.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there through working as a lead worker or in shift leadership. Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified logistics master (Logistikmeister) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With a qualification as warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) or warehouse specialist (Fachlagerist) you are admitted directly to the first part of the exam, and to the second part after one year of work experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €4,707gross per monthMedian salary

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• Freight forwarding and logistics services clerk (Kaufmann für Spedition und Logistikdienstleistung)

  Also: Export and customs clerk

  With retrainingPromotion

  As a freight forwarding clerk you calculate transports, write quotes, organize shipments, and take care of customs and export.

  What you bring:

  You know shipping documents, packaging regulations and shipping processes from hands-on experience.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as freight forwarding and logistics services clerk (Kaufmann für Spedition und Logistikdienstleistung), which usually takes two years. If you already have a vocational qualification, the Federal Employment Agency (Arbeitsagentur) funds the retraining through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) only if it is necessary, for example when unemployment threatens. For customs and export there are additional courses lasting a few days to a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,917gross per monthMedian salary

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• Professional driver (Berufskraftfahrer)

  Also: Truck driver

  With further training

  As a truck driver you bring the goods to the customer yourself and work largely independently on the road.

  What you bring:

  You know loading and unloading, load securing, shipping documents and often also dangerous goods rules from the warehouse.

  How to get there:

  You need a class C or CE driving license plus the accelerated basic qualification (140 hours of classes), which ends with an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). This usually takes a few months in total and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Alternatively, you can do vocational training (Ausbildung) as professional driver (Berufskraftfahrer), which takes three years.*Regulated by law (Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance (BKrFQV), Driving License Ordinance (FeV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift work

  €3,262gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trainer for warehouse logistics

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer you guide apprentices through their vocational training (Ausbildung), plan learning stations and prepare them for the exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

  What you bring:

  You know every area of the warehouse, train new colleagues on the job and explain processes clearly.

  How to get there:

  Alongside your qualification as warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) and work experience, you need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung) under § 30 BBiG, which you prove in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Preparation courses are optional, and their length depends on the provider. Full-time trainer jobs exist mainly in large logistics companies; otherwise, training is often an additional task.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

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• Security guard

  Also: Property protection worker

  With further training

  In the security service, you guard company premises, warehouses and buildings, check access points and vehicles and do inspection rounds.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably, often in shifts, and follow specifications and procedures exactly.

  How to get there:

  Briefing under § 34a GewO (Unterrichtung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) takes at least 40 teaching hours. You also need German skills at least at level B1 and a reliability check by the authority. For inspection rounds in publicly accessible areas or admission to discos, you need the expertise exam (Sachkundeprüfung) at the IHK instead.*Regulated by law (Trade Regulation Code (GewO) § 34a, Security Services Ordinance (BewachV) § 6).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demanding

  €3,200gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.