Class C + E Driver (Nights)

This role is working 45 hours per week (Nights) - Sunday to Thursday. apetito is the UK’s leading supplier of food and catering solutions to care homes, local authorities & hospitals, and the transport and distribution area of the business is a critically important part of our supply chain. Our drivers are the key link between our business and the customers we work with; ensuring our work is delivered professionally, efficiently and on time. As a professional driver, this role represents a chance to join a growing and forward-thinking business as an ambassador for apetito delivering our finished frozen food product to Care Homes, Local Authorities, Hospitals and our Wiltshire Farm Foods franchisees. In this critical role you must be prepared to drive to different geographical locations and manage a demanding delivery schedule – our customers depend on our food and we depend on you. Additionally, you will need to ensure that you provide fantastic customer service as the face of apetito.

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, but we also have staff at our out base depots in the following locations; Stanmore, Gillingham, South Kirkby, St Helens and Motherwell in Scotland. £48,359.83 per annum + bonus + benefits.

Responsibilities:

• Undertake pre & post trip vehicle inspections to ensure road worthiness.
• Full compliance with drivers’ hours, tachographs and road traffic regulations.
• Driving style - damage free and economical.
• Be an ambassador of the company.
• Undertake minor vehicle service activity such as cleaning and refuelling of both vehicle and refrigerated.
• Maintenance of a clean vehicle both internally and externally.
• Delivery and collection of vehicles as required to rental suppliers including any due inspections.
• Inspection of hire vehicles pre and post rental.
• Actively participate in a daily debrief process, working with your supervisor to identify safety, service and operational improvements as and when they arise.
• Supervise and assist with loading activities at the Cross dock sites.

Qualifications/Personal Qualities:

• Essential:
• 2-3 years full time C+E driving experience.
• Customer Service experience.
• Full Class C+E Licence.
• Excellent understanding of Drivers hours regulations, working time directive and tachographs.
• Good operational knowledge of modern commercial vehicles.
• Good geographical knowledge of UK.
• Driver CPC.
• Desirable:
• Clean driving license.
• Temperature Control Transport.
• Experience of multi drop deliveries.
• Experience of operating tail lifts & double deck trailers.
• Experience of working with wheeled delivery equipment.

Personal Qualities:

• Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills at all levels towards both customers and colleagues.
• Able to juggle the demands of a busy schedule, traffic conditions and other road users with safety, customer service and time / efficiency targets.
• Must be calm under pressure.
• High standard of personal presentation to uphold the company brand, including uniform / vehicle cleanliness.
• Flexible and responsive to business needs e.g. if required to complete a different route/start at different time on occasions.
• Must be physically active due to the nature and demands of the role; for example dealing with heavy goods and moving loaded dollies over uneven ground.

Circumstances:

• Must be prepared to drive in different weather conditions.
• Must live within a reasonable travelling distance to the depot.
• The driver needs to show a great deal of flexibility within this role as the work will be varied and there may be changes to start times if required to cover another night trunk.
• 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.

Company 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 1x annual salary.
• Free meals, snacks and beverages on site.
• Free parking.
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas.
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts.

Our Values:

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of. We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers. We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer. We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.