At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive a 3.5T van, collect electrical waste, and maintain accurate documentation.
- Company: Recycling Lives Services, a B Corp focused on social value and environmental excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, supportive team, healthcare cash back, and generous leave.
- Other info: Physically active role with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven company making a real impact in recycling and social justice.
- Qualifications: Valid UK driving licence, attention to detail, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 14 - 14 £ per hour.
We are looking for a reliable, personable, and detail-focused Driver/Loader to join our team collecting televisions and electrical waste (WEEE) from council-operated Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) across the West Midlands. This is a hands-on role combining driving, manual handling, and administrative accuracy. You'll be working on council sites, so a professional manner and good working relationship with site staff is essential. You'll also be responsible for completing waste consignment documentation accurately at the point of collection, and reporting collection activity back to head office daily.
The Business: Recycling Lives Services is not a typical recycling company. Since 2008, the business has been structurally built around social value, employing people from disadvantaged backgrounds, partnering with the justice system to reduce reoffending, and delivering environmental excellence at scale. The social mission is not a layer added on top of commercial activity. It is the reason the business operates in the way it does.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive a 3.5 tonne van safely and legally between Coxs Lane and HWRC sites across the West Midlands, following planned collection routes.
- Load and unload TVs and other electrical waste items (including bulky/heavy CRT units), following manual handling procedures at all times.
- Build and maintain professional working relationships with council site staff and HWRC operatives, representing the company positively on client sites.
- Accurately complete waste consignment notes and any other required documentation at the point of collection, ensuring correct waste classification, quantities, and site details are recorded.
- Check loads for compliance and safety before transport (e.g. correct segregation of hazardous items such as CRT screens).
- Report collection activity, volumes, and any site issues to the Transport Manager at the end of each working day.
- Carry out routine vehicle checks (e.g. daily walkaround checks) and report any vehicle faults or damage promptly.
- Follow all health & safety, manual handling, and environmental compliance procedures.
The ideal candidate:
- Full, valid UK driving licence (Category B), entitling you to drive a 3.5 tonne van.
- Comfortable with regular manual handling and lifting of bulky/heavy items.
- Good attention to detail, particularly for completing paperwork/documentation accurately.
- Strong communication skills and a professional, client-facing manner.
- Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently across multiple sites in a day.
- Basic literacy/numeracy for completing consignment notes and daily reports.
Desirable:
- Previous experience in waste collection, recycling, or WEEE handling.
- Familiarity with waste consignment notes or hazardous waste documentation.
- Experience working on local authority or council sites.
- Manual handling training or certification.
Please note: This is a physically active role. Duties will involve:
- Repeated lifting and carrying of TVs and electrical items, including large/heavy units (some CRT televisions can weigh 20–30kg+).
- Frequent loading and unloading of the vehicle throughout the day.
- Walking, bending, and manual handling on uneven outdoor site surfaces.
Benefits:
- Modern, well-maintained vehicles.
- Full PPE & uniform provided.
- Early opportunity to influence fleet development.
- Supportive team in a growing company.
- Pensions contribution, 5% employee 3% employer.
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Free financial wellbeing support.
- Healthcare cash back plan*.
- Access to ethical loan and savings products.
- *Enhanced maternity & paternity pay*.
- Cycle to work scheme*.
*Employees become eligible after 12 months service. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
Driver/Loader in Birmingham employer: Recycling Lives Services
Recycling Lives Services is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to a socially responsible mission while working in a dynamic and supportive environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive benefits including a generous leave policy and access to counselling support, we foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Located in Preston, our hybrid working policy allows for flexibility, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Driver/Loader in Birmingham
✨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 Recycling Lives Services.
✨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 Recycling Lives Services. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Driver/Loader in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Recycling Lives Services, 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 Recycling Lives Services 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 Recycling Lives Services. 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 Recycling Lives Services
✨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 Recycling Lives Services.
✨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 Recycling Lives Services.
