At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive across the North collecting and distributing stock for charity shops.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a charity caring for over 40,000 animals annually.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, wellbeing support, and discounts at various retailers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on animal welfare while enjoying a dynamic work environment.
- Qualifications: Full UK driving licence required; no prior experience necessary.
- Other info: Weekly travel to Hartlebury and varied daily tasks ensure excitement.
The predicted salary is between 22394 - 24900 Β£ per year.
Contract: Permanent β 35 hours per week
Salary: Β£22,394 per annum
Location: Required to travel across the North of England (between North Yorkshire, Manchester and the surrounding areas down towards Hartlebury)
Closing date: Monday 30th June 2025
Interview date: Thursday 10th July 2025
Covering areas within the North of England, weβre looking for a Stock Collection and Distribution Driver with great time management and relationship building skills to join our retail team! Reporting to our Area Manager for the North, you will be working with our charity shops to ensure donation bags are collected and delivered to their destination to be sold, enabling our charity to support sick, injured and homeless pets.
More about the role:
Blue Cross cares for more than 40,000 animals every year through our rehoming, veterinary and education programmes. We have over 50 retail shops across England and Wales split into four geographical areas which provide a vital income stream to the wider charity. As a Stock Collection & Distribution Driver, you will be making a huge contribution to our Blue Cross shops through the collection, distribution and transfer of stock. Although your role will mean that you are on the road for the majority of your time, you will have additional responsibilities including route planning, vehicle checks, ensuring the van is kept clean and serviced as required as well as ad hoc PAT testing on electrical items in the shops. Travel to our main retail hub based in Hartlebury, Worcestershire is required once per week among your other travel across the North between Northallerton, Manchester and down to Shrewsbury. Trust us β no two days will be the same!
About you:
This role would suit a comfortable driver who can keep on top of paperwork such as journey records and mileage. No experience in this role is necessary as long as you have a full UK driving licence that allows you to drive a 3.5 tonne vehicle. Your days will be varied, working with different teams in different counties so being a good communicator is essential. This role really helps keep the morale in our shops so being a people person who is happy to help others is essential! Manual handling training is provided to our retail staff due to the manual demand of the roles and is a mandatory requirement so we can keep you safe at work.
Knowledge, skills, and experience:
- Full UK driving licence
- Experience of a driving-based role
- Awareness of road traffic laws and regulations
- Good verbal and written communication skills
In the interest of Health and Safety whilst performing a physically active job, individuals are required to have the ability to perform their job safely and effectively. Although not essential, it would be great if you had:
- Awareness of PAT Testing
How to apply:
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
Benefits:
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support
- Life assurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website. If youβd like to learn more about Blue Cross, our mission, and the work we do to support animals and people, take a look at our About Us page.
Stock Collector and Distribution Driver - North employer: Blue Cross
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Stock Collector and Distribution Driver - North
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the areas you'll be driving in, such as North Yorkshire and Manchester. Knowing the routes and potential traffic issues can help you stand out during the interview.
β¨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your communication skills. Since you'll be interacting with various teams and shops, demonstrating your ability to build relationships will be key in your interview.
β¨Tip Number 3
Show enthusiasm for the charity's mission. Research Blue Cross and be prepared to discuss how your values align with their work in supporting sick and injured animals.
β¨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your organisational skills. As route planning and paperwork are part of the job, being able to articulate how you manage these tasks will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Stock Collector and Distribution Driver - North
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially any driving roles or customer service positions. Emphasise your full UK driving licence and any experience with manual handling or vehicle maintenance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the charity's mission. Mention your time management skills and ability to build relationships, as these are key for the Stock Collection and Distribution Driver position.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since good verbal and written communication skills are essential, consider including examples in your application that demonstrate how you've effectively communicated in previous roles or situations.
Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability: This role involves varied tasks and travel across different areas. Make sure to mention your adaptability and willingness to take on diverse responsibilities, which will show youβre a great fit for the dynamic nature of the job.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross
β¨Know the Role Inside Out
Make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Stock Collector and Distribution Driver. Familiarise yourself with the job description, especially the importance of time management and relationship building skills, as these will likely be key discussion points during your interview.
β¨Demonstrate Your Driving Experience
Even if you don't have direct experience in this specific role, be prepared to discuss any driving-related jobs you've had. Highlight your full UK driving licence and any relevant experience that showcases your ability to handle a 3.5 tonne vehicle safely and efficiently.
β¨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves working with various teams and interacting with the public, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles, especially in situations that required teamwork or customer interaction.
β¨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Having thoughtful questions ready shows your interest in the role and the organisation. Consider asking about the team dynamics, the challenges faced in the role, or how success is measured for a Stock Collector and Distribution Driver at Blue Cross.