At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive and deliver frozen meals to care homes and hospitals while providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Join apetito, the UK's leading food supplier for health and social care sectors.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days holiday, and free snacks on site.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for career growth and a commitment to sustainability.
- Why this job: Be an ambassador for a company that makes a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Must have a valid driving licence and great communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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 Stanmore, Gillingham, South Kirkby, St Helens and Motherwell in Scotland. As a professional driver you are an ambassador for apetito and will be 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 around different geographical locations and manage a demanding delivery schedule. Additionally you will 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.
apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings. Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness. Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.
Responsibilities
- Undertake pre-shift inspection (vehicle check) of vehicle.
- Full compliance with the drivers’ hours, and road traffic regulations.
- Driving style - damage free and economical.
- Making deliveries in a timely manner and phoning transport office with any delivery discrepancies or delays.
- Deliver goods to the customer’s “point of need”.
- Provide excellent customer service and conflict resolution where necessary.
- Be an ambassador of the company.
- Report any customer service issues to transport office or customer service department while delivering.
- Undertake minor vehicle service activity such as cleaning and refueling of both vehicle and refrigerated unit and minor repairs such as the replacement of bulbs.
- 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.
About you
- Actively enjoys interacting with customers and finding ways to deliver a great service.
- 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.
- Able to demonstrate a positive, can do attitude.
- 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 able to manage with the demands of delivering and unloading goods quickly and efficiently.
- 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 will be the need to cover other drivers at any of our depots.
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 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
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.
Van Driver employer: apetito
At apetito, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes 33 days of holiday and a discretionary annual bonus scheme. Our supportive work culture fosters employee growth and development, while our commitment to ethical practices and sustainability ensures that you are part of a company making a meaningful impact in the health and social care sectors. Join us in delivering outstanding meals and service to those who need it most, all while enjoying a flexible and dynamic work environment near Bristol.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Van Driver
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on apetito. Understand their values and what they stand for. This will help you connect with the interviewer and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your delivery skills! Since you'll be interacting with customers, think about how you can showcase your excellent communication skills. Maybe role-play some scenarios with a friend to get comfortable with handling different situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about your driving experience! Highlight any previous roles where you had to manage a busy schedule or deal with unexpected challenges. This will show that you can handle the demands of the job and keep things running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that you’re proactive and keen to join the apetito family. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Van Driver
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Driving Skills:Make sure to highlight your driving experience and any relevant qualifications in your application. We want to see that you can handle a variety of vehicles and are familiar with road safety regulations.
Customer Service is Key:Since you'll be interacting with customers regularly, share examples of how you've provided excellent service in the past. We love candidates who can demonstrate their ability to resolve conflicts and keep customers happy!
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, keep your answers straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at apetito
✨Know Your Routes
Familiarise yourself with the geographical areas you'll be driving in. Research the locations of care homes, hospitals, and other delivery points. This will not only help you navigate efficiently but also show your potential employer that you're proactive and serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in previous roles. Think about times when you resolved conflicts or went above and beyond for a customer. This is crucial for a role where you'll be representing the company and interacting with clients directly.
✨Demonstrate Safety Awareness
Be ready to discuss your understanding of road safety regulations and your experience with vehicle checks. Highlight any relevant training or certifications you have. Showing that you prioritise safety will reassure the interviewers that you can handle the demands of the job responsibly.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability
The job requires flexibility in terms of routes and schedules. Be prepared to talk about how you've adapted to changing circumstances in past jobs. This could include managing tight schedules or dealing with unexpected challenges while maintaining a positive attitude.
