At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive an HGV Class 2 vehicle and operate a Hiab crane to deliver goods safely.
- Company: Join Lawsons, the UK's largest independent supplier of timber and building materials.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team and develop valuable skills in a practical role.
- Qualifications: Must have a full UK HGV Class 2 licence and Hiab experience.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 38000 £ per year.
Lawsons is the UK’s largest independent supplier of timber, fencing and building materials. With over 35 branches and 700+ colleagues across London and the South East, we deliver quality products, expert advice and excellent customer service. We are recruiting for an HGV Class 2 Hiab driver based at our AVS Havant branch to join a busy local team that supports trade and retail customers.
Position Overview
We are looking for a reliable and experienced HGV Class 2 (Category C) Hiab driver to join our AVS Havant branch on a permanent basis. This is a customer-facing driving and lifting role delivering timber, fencing and builders’ merchant products to trade and retail customers across the local area. You will operate an HGV Class 2 vehicle fitted with a Hiab crane, ensuring safe loading and unloading, secure load restraint and timely completion of deliveries while providing a high level of customer service. The role includes safe handling of materials, accurate completion of paperwork and adherence to company Health & Safety standards.
Main Responsibilities
- Safely operate an HGV Class 2 vehicle and Hiab crane to load, transport and deliver goods on scheduled routes from the Havant branch.
- Ensure all loads are properly secured and protected to prevent damage during transit and to comply with load restraint regulations.
- Safely lift, manoeuvre and position goods using the Hiab crane in line with manufacturer guidance and company procedures.
- Complete vehicle checks, Hiab pre-use inspections and report any defects or maintenance needs promptly.
- Accurately complete delivery paperwork including delivery notes, vehicle checklists and any customer signatures or electronic checks.
- Provide excellent customer service at all times, representing Lawsons professionally and courteously.
- Follow all Health & Safety procedures, use appropriate PPE and apply safe manual handling techniques.
- Report any damaged or compromised products and manage customer queries in a professional manner.
- Work with branch colleagues to ensure efficient loading, route planning and customer communication.
- Assist with yard duties when required, including basic stock checks and goods handling.
- Carry out any other reasonable tasks as requested by your line manager.
Essential Skills & Experience
- A full UK HGV Class 2 (Category C) licence (essential).
- Valid Driver CPC and relevant HGV driving experience (essential).
- Previous experience operating a Hiab or similar vehicle-mounted crane (essential) and/or relevant banksman or lifting experience.
- Landscaping experience (desirable)
- Good knowledge of safe manual handling, load securing and vehicle checks.
- Strong customer service skills and a polite, professional manner.
- Good time management with the ability to work to schedules and deadlines.
- Basic numeracy and literacy to complete delivery paperwork accurately.
- Willingness to work as part of a team and assist with yard duties when required.
- Be vigilant and report any Health & Safety issues to the Line Manager immediately.
Working Hours
This is a full-time, permanent position. Typical hours are Monday to Friday 07.30 - 17.00, plus 1 in 2 Saturdays 08:00 - 12:00. Occasional flexibility may be required to meet customer needs.
Employee Benefits
- Competitive annual salary (£35,000 - £38,000, dependent on experience)
- 25 days’ holiday pro rata plus Bank Holidays and 1 Celebration day
- Company pension scheme and Death in Service cover
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to wellbeing support including online GP
- Training and development opportunities including Hiab refresher training
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing support with opportunities for career progression
Why Join AVS Havant?
- Join a respected, long-established company with a strong regional presence and commitment to colleague development.
- Work within a supportive team where your contribution is valued and recognised.
- Opportunity to work in a varied, practical role with regular customer contact and scope to develop new skills.
- Be part of a business that prioritises safety, customer service and colleague wellbeing.
Lawsons is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
If you meet the essential requirements and are available to work from our Havant branch, we would like to hear from you. #HP
HGV Class 2 Hiab in Havant employer: Lawsons
Lawsons is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture where practical skills and reliable service are highly valued. As a Yard Operative / Van Driver at our Peterborough branch, you'll enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive training, and opportunities for career progression within a respected company that prioritises safety and customer satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HGV Class 2 Hiab in Havant
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Lawsons.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by Lawsons. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Lawsons, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Lawsons and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Lawsons. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lawsons
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Lawsons.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Lawsons.
