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- Tasks: Join our team as a Yard Operative, handling goods and ensuring smooth operations.
- Company: Be part of a family-owned company with a strong local reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering excellent service to customers in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in yard operations and forklift certification required.
The predicted salary is between 30175 - 32000 £ per year.
We are recruiting a Yard Operative to join our Colney Heath branch. This is a hands-on, branch-based role responsible for receiving, storing and preparing goods, supporting the yard team with loading and unloading, maintaining yard and stock accuracy, and delivering excellent customer service. The successful candidate will be reliable, safety conscious and able to work as part of a busy team to ensure efficient branch operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Receive deliveries from suppliers, check goods against delivery paperwork and report any discrepancies to the Yard Supervisor.
- Unload and load vehicles safely using appropriate lifting equipment and manual handling techniques; assist drivers and customers with loading where required.
- Stack, store and organise materials in the yard in a safe and accessible manner, ensuring stock is protected from damage and weather where applicable.
- Prepare customer orders and hold for collection or assist with local deliveries, ensuring items are accurate and securely packed for transport.
- Operate yard equipment such as forklifts, pallet trucks and towables where trained and authorised, following company procedures and completing daily checks.
- Maintain a clean, tidy and safe yard environment by removing waste, sweeping yard areas and ensuring spillages are dealt with promptly.
- Assist with stock counts and stock accuracy checks, recording any damaged or missing items and escalating as required.
- Deliver excellent customer service to trade and retail customers on site and over the counter, assisting with enquiries and product locations.
- Adhere to company health and safety policies, use appropriate PPE, complete required risk assessments and report incidents or near misses immediately.
- Work collaboratively with branch colleagues to support peak periods, promotions and any ad-hoc tasks to maintain branch performance.
Person Specification
- Previous experience in a yard operative, warehouse or builders’ merchant environment is essential.
- Forklift (Counterbalance/Reach) certification is essential.
- Good practical knowledge of manual handling and safe working practices with a commitment to follow company procedures.
- Physically fit and able to carry out manual handling tasks and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Customer-focused with strong communication skills and a professional, courteous manner.
- Reliable, punctual and able to work flexibly to meet business needs, including occasional early starts or Saturday cover where required.
- Basic IT literacy to use handheld devices and branch systems for stock checks and order processing.
- A team player who works well with colleagues across yard, sales and transport functions to deliver safe and efficient service.
Working Hours, Salary and Benefits
- Full-time, permanent position based at our Colney Heath branch.
- Typical contracted hours are Monday to Friday 07.30 - 17.00 with 1 in 2 Saturday mornings 08.00 - 12.00 to meet customer needs; flexibility is required.
- Competitive salary in line with experience (£30,175 - £32,000).
- 25 days’ holiday per year plus bank holidays and a celebration day, rising with service in line with company policy.
- Company pension scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to online GP services.
- Comprehensive induction, ongoing training and opportunities for career progression within the business.
Why Join Lawsons?
- Work for a well-established, family-owned company with a strong local reputation and commitment to service.
- Be part of a supportive, team-focused environment where safety and customer service are prioritised.
- Develop your career through structured training and clear progression pathways.
- Play an important role in delivering outstanding service to trade and retail customers in Colney Heath and the surrounding area.
Lawsons is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. If you are reliable, safety-focused and take pride in delivering excellent service, we would like to hear from you.
Yard Operative Operations · Colney Heath employer: Lawsons Ltd.
Contact Detail:
Lawsons Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Yard Operative Operations · Colney Heath
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before you step into that interview, do a bit of homework on Lawsons. Understand their values, what they stand for, and how they operate. This will not only help you answer questions better but also show them you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a mate and do some mock interviews. Focus on common questions for yard operatives, like your experience with manual handling or customer service scenarios. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s the real deal.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you've got forklift certification or any other relevant experience, make sure to highlight that during your chat. Share specific examples of how you've used those skills in past roles to demonstrate your value to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of the interview, have a couple of thoughtful questions ready about the role or the team. It shows you're engaged and keen to be part of the action at Lawsons. Plus, it helps you figure out if it's the right fit for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Yard Operative Operations · Colney Heath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in yard operations or similar roles. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for, so don’t be shy about showcasing your forklift certification and manual handling knowledge!
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you’re the perfect fit for the Yard Operative role at our Colney Heath branch. Share your passion for customer service and teamwork, and let us know how you can contribute to our busy environment.
Showcase Your Reliability: We value reliability and punctuality, so make sure to mention any past experiences where you demonstrated these traits. Whether it’s being on time for shifts or completing tasks efficiently, we want to know you can be counted on!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply 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 – just follow the prompts and submit your details!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lawsons Ltd.
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Yard Operative role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like receiving deliveries, loading and unloading, and maintaining stock accuracy. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Safety Awareness
Since safety is a big deal in this role, be prepared to discuss your knowledge of health and safety practices. Mention any relevant certifications, like your forklift training, and share examples of how you've prioritised safety in previous jobs. This will demonstrate that you take safety seriously and can contribute to a safe working environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
The job requires working closely with others, so highlight your teamwork skills during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues in past roles, especially in busy environments. This will show that you can fit into their team and help maintain efficient branch operations.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful ones about the company culture, training opportunities, or what a typical day looks like for a Yard Operative. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.