Grain Operative in Tilbury

The Port of Tilbury Grain Terminal is the UK’s largest grain handling facility for both imports and exports. The state‑of‑the‑art terminal operates to food‑grade standards, offering a fully automated and highly flexible solution for grain import and export operations. As a Grade 2 operative within our Grain Terminal Operations team, you will service all customer requirements including loading and unloading lorries and vessels, operating in storage areas, operating scales and automated systems to facilitate our service to our customer base. Your prompt and safe response to a dynamic working environment while ensuring compliance with all company and statutory requirements will be key to supporting the Grain Terminal in achieving its operational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle cargo and plant with due care and attention at all times.
• Co‑operate with the direction of the Supervisory and Control teams to ensure customer requirements are met in a safe, efficient and timely manner.
• Always conduct yourself in a safe working manner and promote to others a positive safety‑first culture.
• Conform to all company policies, procedures, risk assessments and method statements at all times.
• Report any incident, accident or unsafe observation through the approved channels and methodology (training will be provided).
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with all members of the Grain Terminal team.
• Promote the good nature of the company and always conduct oneself in a professional manner; this is a customer‑facing role with regular interaction with customer employees.
• Maintain a high standard of housekeeping of the site and working areas.
• Use and maintain all supplied PPE correctly and maintain accurate records thereof.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a safety‑conscious, reliable and hardworking individual who thrives in a fast‑paced operational environment and takes pride in delivering excellent service to customers. The successful candidate will be a strong team player with a positive attitude, able to work collaboratively with colleagues and supervisors while remaining flexible to changing operational demands. They will demonstrate a proactive approach to health and safety, maintain high standards of housekeeping and professionalism, and be committed to following procedures and working practices. Experience within industrial, logistics, manufacturing, agricultural, port or bulk handling environments would be advantageous, but equally important is a willingness to learn, operate equipment and automated systems, and contribute to the efficient and safe movement of cargo across the terminal.

Skills & Qualifications

• Forklift truck and front‑end loading shovel driving.
• Working in dusty areas, or environments that may contain explosive atmospheres.
• Working within a port environment.
• Working at height.
• Working within confined spaces.
• Understanding of stock management principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of food safety systems in a bulk industrial storage setting.
• Full UK driving licence, valid in the UK.
• Full UK working rights.

What Forth Ports Can Offer You

• A competitive salary.
• Discretionary bonus.
• Paid overtime.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4× salary.
• In‑house Occupational Health — Provides professional workplace health advice, support, and guidance for employees across all sites.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — Delivered through Health Assured, offering 24/7, 365‑day confidential wellbeing support via the Wisdom app or telephone access, covering mental health, financial advice, legal guidance, and emotional wellbeing.
• Physiotherapy support — Access to physiotherapy sessions through three external providers in Scotland, plus an onsite physiotherapist once per week in Tilbury.
• An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat‑free alternative for all employees.
• GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group, and selected local gyms.
• Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting.
• On‑site free parking available for all employees.
• Attractive family‑friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover.
• Employee discount platform providing savings on UK‑wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays.

We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status. As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service. We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military spouses/partners, and we actively support flexible and inclusive recruitment practices.