General Operative in Reading

At Tarmac, who you are matters. We want to get to know you. If you share our values, take pride in a job well done, enjoy working collaboratively, and are ambitious to make things better, we'd love to hear from you.

We are currently recruiting for a Multi Skilled Operative Road Planing to join our National Road Planing (NRP) team based in Thatcham, Berkshire. This role offers great accessibility from surrounding locations including Newbury, Reading, Andover, Swindon, Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Slough, Basingstoke, High Wycombe and Maidenhead.

At Tarmac, we are committed to creating a dynamic, inclusive environment and welcome applications from individuals with a variety of backgrounds.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Multi Skilled Operative Road Planing, you’ll report directly to the Planing Foreman and play a key role in supporting highways planing operations. In this hands-on role, your responsibilities will include:

• Operating machinery, vehicles and tools, ensuring all equipment is safe and fit for use, and reporting any defects promptly
• Ensuring you are fully trained, authorised and always wearing the correct PPE
• Complying with all safety requirements, company standards and procedures for both employees and subcontractors
• Completing site-specific documentation and attending necessary site inductions and briefings
• Actively promoting a strong safety culture by identifying and reporting hazards through Safety Observation and Near Miss processes
• Supporting environmental best practice and ensuring processes are followed across all work activities

What We Are Looking For

We’re looking for a motivated and safety-focused individual with a strong team ethic and a willingness to learn and develop. To be successful in this role, you should have:

• Essential: Experience operating a road planer, or transferable experience operating heavy plant machinery (with training provided)
• A full UK manual driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points
• Desirable (but not essential): Knowledge of surfacing methods and planing machine capabilities
• A valid CSCS qualification

We’re also looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Strong communication and teamwork skills, able to contribute to a positive team environment
• Flexibility and openness to change, with a commitment to continuous improvement
• Problem-solving ability, taking ownership and identifying root causes to resolve issues effectively

If you’re looking to build a career in road planing and want to join a team where safety, collaboration and development are at the heart of everything we do, this could be the opportunity for you.

Why Tarmac

We don't just offer a job, we offer a career. Alongside this role, you'll have access to industry-leading rewards, development opportunities, and a culture that puts people first, including:

• Bonus scheme
• Enhanced holiday entitlement
• Contributory pension scheme
• Access to the Tarmac Reward website with discounts on retailers, holidays, etc.
• Access to our Employee Assistance helpline for free and confidential advice
• Access to join our Employee Communities (employee networks) we currently have nine communities inc. (REACH) Religious, Ethnic, Cultural Heritage, LGBTQ+, Parents & carers, Ability, Wellbeing, Female voice and menopause
• Training and development opportunities

Tarmac is committed to being a Forces-friendly employer. If you’re coming from a military background, we’ll support your transition and help you build a successful career with us. We’re proud to be part of CRH, and even prouder to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to support you.

Ready to build your future? Click Apply to get started.