Being a milkman has proved just the job for Christopher Woodcock, who has worked at the Norwich and Ipswich Co-Op for 27 years.

Milk Rounds Person

Answers supplied by David Godfrey, dairy manager at the Ipswich and Norwich Co-op, a large independent retail co-operative operating food and department stores, dairy, funeral, motor group, pharmacy and optical operations.

What does the job entail?
Working as a milk rounds person obviously entails early morning starts. After collecting milk and products from the depot and loading the fleet, the salesperson typically makes deliveries to households, but might also deliver to caterers and other small businesses. Cash collection is an important part of the job using a variety of methods. You also need to be keen to provide good service while being able to sell and promote a variety of goods in addition to milk.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
The job requires a driving licence (obtained before 1997 if the round uses an electric milk float). Staff need to have good numeracy, literacy, communication and selling skills. The ability to work with little or no supervision is paramount, as is physical fitness and the ability to work in all weathers.

What type of person will fit in?
Somebody with a pleasant outgoing personality would do well in this role. You need to be honest and have a stable temperament to be able to deal with different people from varying backgrounds. Stamina and the ability to work long hours on some days are also the real key to success as a milk rounds person.

What are the pluses and minuses of the job?
On the positive side, being your own boss for the majority of the time can be really good as you usually have the freedom to set your own pace and an open air lifestyle. On the minus side, a six-day working week can be quite a long haul, especially when you have to work in bad weather. Early starts and finishes can be an advantage to some and a problem for others.

What opportunities exist for career progression?
The job teaches self discipline and reliability which can be a valuable transferable skill into any occupation, and if you do well in this type of role it shows you can work hard. Opportunities to move to other roles within the food industry are good and those with relevant experience are often in demand. The dairy industry is always looking for supervisors and managers so there are often natural progression opportunities.

What can I expect to earn?
Typically you should expect to earn between £15,000 to £18,000. There are few major regional variations, with the exception of London. Depot managers can earn up to £25,000.

Any hints on getting a job in this area?
Watch out for vacancies in the recruitment section of the local press. You could also contact local depots or head offices to see if they have any vacancies and forward your CV to them.