About this role
31 August 2026 4 min read A job in a distribution center is the first step toward working in the Netherlands for many labor migrants from Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. The logistics sector has been growing for years, and there is almost always a demand for staff. Whether you have just arrived or have lived in the Netherlands for a longer period: the chance of finding work in a warehouse or DC is high. But what exactly do you do in a distribution center? What do you earn, and can you advance to a higher position? In this guide, we explain it clearly, providing practical information that is immediately useful to you. We look at the most common tasks, what you can expect on average in terms of salary, and what steps you can take if you want more responsibility. We also discuss how to quickly find a suitable vacancy. What exactly is a distribution center? A distribution center, often abbreviated as DC, is a large warehouse where products arrive, are stored, and are then sent out to stores, companies, or consumers. Think of the large centers of webshops, supermarket chains, and manufacturers. Due to its location near the port of Rotterdam and its proximity to Germany and Belgium, the Netherlands has a strong position in logistics. You will find large clusters of DCs around Venlo, Tilburg, Waalwijk, Rotterdam, and Almere. The work is physical and often involves shifts. Many companies operate 24 hours a day, which means you can work day, evening, or night shifts. For labor migrants, this is often an advantage: irregular shifts result in allowances. The most common tasks when working in a distribution center Tasks vary by company and position, but there are a number of activities you will encounter in almost every DC: - Order picking: using a scanner or pick list to take products from the shelves and prepare them for shipment. - Packing: sorting, packaging, and preparing orders for the truck. - Forklift or reach truck work: m...