Shunter (Fixed Term Contract) in Belfast

Shunter (Fixed Term Contract) in Belfast

Belfast Temporary 34000 - 40016 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
DFDS UK & Ireland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shunt trailers safely and efficiently across the depot and harbour.
  • Company: Join a supportive team at DFDS, a leader in logistics.
  • Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, pension scheme, free ferry travel, and wellness support.
  • Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for overtime and career development.
  • Why this job: Be part of a critical infrastructure that keeps goods moving across the UK and Ireland.
  • Qualifications: Valid UK driving licence, shunting licence, and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 34000 - 40016 £ per year.

Do you want to be a valued part of the critical infrastructure that keeps goods moving across the UK and Ireland? Are you safety-focused, reliable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced operational environment? If so, you could be the newest addition to our team as a Shunter in Belfast. Be part of the movement – and play your part.

About the role

  • Fixed Term Contract
  • Butterfly Shift Pattern
  • Week 1: Sunday, Wednesday & Thursday
  • Week 2: Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday
  • 18:30–06:30

Working a rotating butterfly shift pattern, you'll play a key role in supporting the safe and efficient movement of trailers across the depot and harbour operation. You'll work closely with warehouse and transport teams to ensure trailers are positioned correctly and operational requirements are met.

You will be responsible for:

  • Shunting trailers between the yard and ferry terminals within the harbour area
  • Moving trailers between trailer parks, loading bays, transit areas, and the DFDS wash facility
  • Ensuring trailers are positioned correctly to support warehouse and transport operations
  • Carrying out pre-use checks on shunt vehicles and trailers
  • Reporting defects promptly and ensuring equipment remains safe and compliant
  • Following all site safety procedures and operational guidelines
  • Supporting the smooth flow of operations across the yard and warehouse environment

About you

You'll hold a valid full UK driving licence, be over 21 years of age, and possess a valid shunting licence. You'll be comfortable working nights and able to demonstrate flexibility to support overtime and changing operational requirements when needed.

You'll thrive in this role if you're task-focused, reliable, and able to remain calm in a busy environment. Strong communication skills, a proactive attitude, and a commitment to safety are essential. You'll be joining a friendly and supportive team where collaboration, respect, and teamwork are highly valued. Someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced operation and takes pride in getting the job done safely and efficiently will fit in well.

We think the strongest teams are built on diversity and inclusivity. Contrasting opinions, varied skills and strong characters bring out the best in us all. And we cannot wait for you to join.

Working at DFDS

Join the movement and grow with us. We offer an extraordinary work environment that requires a special bond with your colleagues. While you’re with us, we want you to develop. At DFDS, we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role, if needed.

Now about what we can give you:

  • Life assurance cover
  • Contributory company pension scheme
  • Holiday Purchase Scheme
  • Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between Dover and Calais / Newcastle and Amsterdam with no limit on trips
  • Full employee assistance programme including: Proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support including face to face counselling, fast 24/7 access to a GP, a second medical opinion and legal support for colleagues and their family.
  • Huge range of retail discounts from high street and online retailers
  • Cashback on health care including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, specialist consultations and much more.
  • Access to myStrength, our Wellbeing platform, which has plenty of content to support and improve your mental wellness needs.
  • Access to mental health first aid and opportunity to join support webinars with a focus on all areas of positive wellbeing.

Are we a match? Then what are you waiting for? Apply now. If you think your personality, skills, experience, and desire match this role, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV as soon as possible, as we’re keen to meet potential candidates on an ongoing basis. We look forward to hearing from you.

Shunter (Fixed Term Contract) in Belfast employer: DFDS UK & Ireland

At DFDS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values teamwork and collaboration. As a Shunter in Belfast, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including life assurance, a contributory pension scheme, and access to comprehensive health support, all while working in a dynamic environment that prioritises safety and employee development. Join us to be part of a diverse team where your contributions are recognised and your growth is encouraged.

DFDS UK & Ireland

Contact Details:

DFDS UK & Ireland Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Shunter (Fixed Term Contract) in Belfast

Get Your Hands Dirty

In transportation and logistics, hands-on experience is golden. If you're looking for a temporary position, don't just sit back; consider volunteering at local logistics companies or joining community transport initiatives. It’s a great way to gain industry insight and showcase your commitment!

Tap into Seasonal Hiring

Temporary roles in logistics often peak during busy seasons, like holidays or sales events. Keep an eye out for those hiring windows and brush up on your local networks. Joining industry groups on social media or attending local job fairs can be your golden ticket to snagging a role!

Show You’re Flexibly Awesome

Temporary roles often require quick adaptability, so make sure you highlight your flexibility and problem-solving skills in every discussion. When chatting with recruiters or at interviews, be ready to give examples of how you’ve quickly adjusted in past roles—this will help you stand out among other candidates.

Hit Us Up Directly!

Don't forget to apply through our website directly to see the freshest temporary opportunities available at DFDS UK & Ireland! It’s always a good idea to follow up after submitting your application, just to show you’re keen on joining the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Shunter (Fixed Term Contract) in Belfast

Safety Awareness
Reliability
Flexibility
Communication Skills
Task-Focused
Proactive Attitude
Teamwork

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in transportation and logistics, it’s crucial to emphasise any previous experience in this field. Whether you've worked as a warehouse operative or in a delivery role, make sure you showcase those skills and experiences that will help you hit the ground running right away!

Focus on Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, your availability and flexibility are key. In your cover letter, be clear about when you can start and any scheduling flexibility you might have. Employers love candidates who can jump in without a hitch, so show off that readiness!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certificates related to logistics, like forklift licenses or health and safety training, don’t leave them out! These certifications can give you an edge, showing that you’re not just capable but also qualified for the job. Mention these in your CV to catch the hiring manager’s eye!

Tailor Your CV to Logistics Jargon:When crafting your CV, use industry-specific terms and jargon that reflect your understanding of transportation and logistics. Whether it’s ‘supply chain management’ or ‘route optimisation’, sprinkle these phrases throughout your CV and cover letter. This shows that you’re not just applying at random, but that you know the industry well!

How to prepare for a job interview at DFDS UK & Ireland

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

In the transportation and logistics field, demonstrating your knack for problem-solving can really set you apart. Be ready to talk about specific challenges you’ve faced in past roles or during your studies, especially those involving route planning or supply chain issues, and how you tackled them.

Get Familiar with Key Tools

This role will likely involve using industry-specific tools like SAP or Microsoft Excel for logistics management. Brush up on these tools before your interview and be ready to discuss how you've used them in the past – or how you'd approach using them if you're not familiar yet!

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this position is temporary, companies are keen on finding someone who can hit the ground running. Share examples from previous roles or projects where you quickly adapted to new processes or worked under tight deadlines to show that you can thrive in a dynamic environment.

Understand Key Regulations

In the transportation and logistics sector, regulations play a huge role. Familiarising yourself with relevant laws and compliance standards can give you an edge. If you can drop in some specifics about how these impact logistics operations, it’ll show you're serious about the industry and that you can handle the responsibilities of the role with confidence.