Transport Controller / Warehouse Operative

Apollo Distribution Solutions is an independently owned logistics business providing a range of transport, distribution and warehousing services to customers across the UK and beyond.

We are looking for a versatile, organised and proactive individual to join our team in a hybrid Warehouse Operative / Transport Controller position. This is a varied role offering the opportunity to work across two important areas of our business: warehouse operations and transport coordination.

Initially, the successful candidate will spend time working across both departments, developing an understanding of the operation and gaining experience in each area. Over time, we will look to identify where their strengths and interests lie, with the intention of developing the position into a more specialised warehouse or transport role.

We are not necessarily looking for someone who has done everything before. Attitude, initiative, organisation and problem-solving ability are just as important as previous experience.

Warehouse responsibilities:

• Booking stock and deliveries in and out of the warehouse.
• Picking, packing and preparing goods for dispatch.
• Processing commercial customer returns and ensuring returned goods are correctly identified and managed.
• Receiving used mannequins and preparing them for storage, auction or external refurbishment and respraying.
• Managing returned metal materials from customer sites, including sorting and handling scrap metal collections.
• Maintaining accurate stock records and ensuring warehouse movements are recorded correctly.
• Keeping the warehouse organised, safe and tidy.
• Operating forklift equipment where qualified. Training can be provided if required.

Transport coordination responsibilities:

• Assisting with the planning and coordination of daily transport operations.
• Allocating vehicles and jobs to drivers efficiently.
• Communicating with drivers throughout the working day to monitor progress and resolve issues.
• Handling customer enquiries by telephone and email.
• Providing delivery updates and dealing with customer requirements.
• Planning routes, considering geographical locations, journey times and vehicle suitability.
• Reacting to last-minute changes, delays and unexpected problems.
• Ensuring jobs are completed efficiently and customers receive a good level of service.

Additional responsibilities:

• Participating in an out-of-hours on-call rota, typically 1-2 weekdays per week and approximately one weekend in every three weeks initially (this wouldn’t start straight away).
• Monitoring and coordinating weekend transport operations, including pre-booked jobs and any unexpected operational requirements.
• Providing occasional driving cover where operationally necessary.
• Providing holiday cover and general support across the wider operation.

What we're looking for:

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think independently.
• A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to get involved.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Confident communication skills, both over the telephone and by email.
• A positive attitude towards customer service.
• The ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure.
• Good geographical knowledge of the UK, particularly the Midlands.
• Good IT skills and confidence using computer-based systems.
• Reliability, flexibility and a willingness to take responsibility.

Advantageous but not essential:

• Previous warehouse, transport or logistics experience.
• A forklift truck qualification or previous forklift experience. Training can be provided.
• Experience using warehouse or transport management systems.
• A full UK driving licence.

What we offer:

• £31,590 annual salary (£13.50 per hour), paid monthly.
• Additional payments for weekend and bank holiday standby duties.
• Company pension.
• Employee referral programme.
• Training and development opportunities, including forklift training where required.
• The opportunity to develop skills across both warehouse and transport operations.
• The opportunity to progress into a more specialised position as your strengths and interests develop.

This position would suit someone who enjoys variety and doesn't want to be tied to a desk or spend every day doing the same thing. You might have previous experience in transport, warehousing, logistics or a similar operational environment, or you might simply be someone who is practical, organised and naturally good at resolving problems.

You'll need to be equally comfortable getting involved with warehouse activities as you are picking up the telephone, responding to customers and coordinating drivers. If you're proactive, reliable and enjoy being part of a busy operation where no two days are quite the same, we'd like to hear from you.

Additional employment requirements:

Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.