Van Driver

The transport and distribution area of the business is a critical and important part of the supply chain. Our main base is Portbury near Bristol, with additional depots in Stanmore, Gillingham, South Kirkby, St Helens and Motherwell, Scotland. As a professional driver you are an ambassador for apetito and will be delivering finished frozen food products to care homes, local authorities, hospitals and Wiltshire farm foods franchisees. In this critical role you must be prepared to drive around different geographical locations and manage a demanding delivery schedule. You will also need to ensure that you provide fantastic customer service unloading deliveries by hand using a combination of roll‑cages, dollies and hand‑balling onto sack trucks.

Responsibilities

• Undertake pre‑shift inspection (vehicle check) of vehicle.
• Full compliance with drivers’ hours and road traffic regulations.
• Driving style: damage‑free and economical.
• Makes deliveries in a timely manner and phones transport office with any delivery discrepancies or delays.
• Delivers goods to the customer’s “point of need”.
• Provides excellent customer service and conflict resolution where necessary.
• Acts as an ambassador of the company.
• Reports any customer‑service issues to transport office or customer service department while delivering.
• Undertakes minor vehicle service such as cleaning and refueling of both vehicle and refrigerated unit and minor repairs such as replacement of bulbs.
• Maintains a clean vehicle both internally and externally.
• Delivers and collects vehicles as required to rental suppliers including any due inspections.
• Inspects hire vehicles pre and post rental.
• Actively participates in a daily debrief process, working with supervisor to identify safety, service and operational improvements as and when they arise.
• Actively enjoys interacting with customers and finding ways to deliver a great service.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills at all levels towards both customers and colleagues.
• Juggles demands of a busy schedule, traffic conditions and other road users with safety, customer service and time/efficiency targets.
• Demonstrates a positive, can‑do attitude.
• Remains calm under pressure.
• Maintains high standard of personal presentation to uphold the company brand, including uniform and vehicle cleanliness.
• Is flexible and responsive to business needs, e.g., if required to complete a different route or start at a different time on occasions.
• Can manage demands of delivering and unloading goods quickly and efficiently.
• Is prepared to drive in different weather conditions.
• Lives within a reasonable travelling distance to the depot.
• Shows a great deal of flexibility as the work is varied and may involve covering other drivers at any of the depots.

Sponsorship

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the skilled worker route as it does not meet the minimum requirements set out under the UK Immigration Rules.

Benefits

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer.
• 33 days holiday per year, including bank holidays (which are considered a normal working day).
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year.
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme.
• Pension scheme – employer matched contributions up to 4%.
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1× annual salary.
• Free snacks and beverages on site.
• Free parking.
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas.
• Access to employee benefits including Perkbox with salary sacrifice options and retail discounts.