At a Glance
- Tasks: Operate machinery and support road planing operations in a hands-on role.
- Company: Join Tarmac, a dynamic and inclusive employer committed to your growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy bonuses, enhanced holidays, pension schemes, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Access training opportunities and join diverse employee communities.
- Why this job: Build a rewarding career in road planing with a focus on safety and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Experience with heavy machinery and a full UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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. Please note: we sometimes close roles early due to high interest, so don’t wait too long!
General Operative in Thatcham employer: Tarmac Trading
At Tarmac, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values safety, collaboration, and personal development. Our Thatcham location offers easy access from surrounding areas and a supportive work culture that encourages continuous improvement and inclusivity. With industry-leading rewards, comprehensive training opportunities, and a commitment to employee well-being, we provide a meaningful career path for those looking to thrive in the road planing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Operative in Thatcham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Tarmac Trading, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like General Operative at Tarmac Trading.
We think you need these skills to ace General Operative in Thatcham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tarmac Trading
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
