At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to receive, store, and prepare goods while delivering top-notch customer service.
- Company: Be part of a well-established, family-owned company with a strong local reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Flexible hours with a dynamic team atmosphere and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment focused on safety and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in yard operations and forklift certification are essential.
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 in St Albans employer: Lawsons
Join Lawsons as a Yard Operative at our Colney Heath branch, where you will be part of a well-established, family-owned company that values safety and customer service. Enjoy a supportive work culture with opportunities for career progression, competitive salary, and generous holiday benefits, all while playing a vital role in serving the local community. With ongoing training and a commitment to employee well-being, Lawsons is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Yard Operative in St Albans
✨Get to Know Local Distribution Centres
Start hanging around local distribution centres and warehouses, like the ones that might belong to Lawsons. Many times, they have sign-up sheets for job openings or even informal meet-ups that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Talk to Recruiters and Employment Agencies
There are loads of recruitment agencies that specifically focus on warehouse and logistics roles. Get in touch with them and let them know you’re looking for full-time work. They often have inside info on openings before they're advertised!
✨Brush Up on Your Skills
Think about the specific skills that are hot in the warehouse sector right now, like inventory management software or health and safety protocols. We can help you find resources to polish up your abilities, which can make you stand out when you're looking at those full-time gigs.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don't forget to keep an eye on our website for any full-time listings at Lawsons. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in logistics and warehousing!
We think you need these skills to ace Yard Operative in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Inventory Management:When you're whipping up your CV, make sure to spotlight any experience you've got in inventory management or warehousing. We love to see proficiency in stock control systems or previous roles where you've managed inventory levels. Show us how you can keep things organised and running smoothly!
Demonstrate Your Attention to Detail:In the warehouse and logistics field, attention to detail is key. Use your cover letter to share specific examples of how you've caught mistakes or streamlined processes in the past. Let us know how your precision can contribute to our team at Lawsons.
Get Familiar with Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to warehousing or logistics—like health and safety or forklift operation—make sure they shine on your CV! We appreciate all the qualifications that show you're serious about the role and keeping a safe, efficient workspace.
Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills:Logistics can be unpredictable, so if you've tackled any significant challenges in previous positions, tell us all about it! Use your cover letter to highlight how you've adapted to situations, such as changes in supply or unexpected delays. We want to see your resourcefulness in action for this full-time role at Lawsons.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lawsons
✨Know Your Warehouse Systems
Familiarise yourself with popular warehouse management systems like SAP or Oracle. If you have experience using these or similar tools, be prepared to discuss how you utilised them to improve efficiency or accuracy in inventory management.
✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Skills
In the logistics arena, unexpected challenges pop up all the time. Be ready to share some examples of when you faced a logistical hiccup and how you tackled it. This shows you can think on your feet and keep things running smoothly.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Since it’s a full-time position, expect questions about your ability to work in a team in a busy warehousing environment. Share experiences where you collaborated with others, maybe to meet tight deadlines or manage large shipments, ensuring you showcase your ability to communicate effectively.
✨Safety First! Talk About Protocols
Logistics roles require a real understanding of safety protocols. Brush up on basic safety guidelines and be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented or adhered to these in past roles. This shows that you’re serious about your role in maintaining a safe working environment.
