Job title: Stores Operative (Heavy Materials / Forklift Operator)
Temp to Perm Role
Location: CA5 7HH
Reports to: Warehouse Manager
Other regular relationships: Departmental Managers, Foremen, Production Team, Purchasing & Sales, (and Crane Operators where applicable)
Overall purpose of the job
To receive goods into the business, carry out quality checks, store stock safely and accurately, and prepare sales orders ready for dispatch.
This role also supports production operations through the safe movement and staging of steel coils and materials across site using a counterbalance FLT and by coordinating with overhead crane offloads where required.
Key responsibilities
- Receive inbound goods/deliveries and carry out quality checks in line with company procedures.
- Operate a counterbalance FLT around site (up to 5.5t).
- Transport and stage steel coils (typically up to 5t) to agreed locations to support manufacturing schedules.
- Support safe offloading of delivered steel coils using FLT and, where required, coordinate with overhead crane offloading for larger coils up to 10t (maintaining exclusion zones and following safe lifting procedures).
- Store items in correct locations safely, ensuring clear labelling, rotation and tidy storage in line with established procedures.
- Prepare stock items and sales orders ready for dispatch, ensuring correct picking, packing, labelling and staging.
- Carry out stock checks/cycle counts and assist with investigation of discrepancies.
- Communicate effectively with Purchasing and Sales where there are stock issues, shortages, damages or quality concerns.
- Liaise closely with production teams/foremen to prioritise coil supply and prevent downtime.
- Complete daily machinery checks (TPMs) on FLTs and other equipment; report defects promptly to the Warehouse Manager.
- Work to agreed Health & Safety regulations and standards, reporting unsafe practices/conditions immediately.
- Follow manual handling guidance and safe use of lifting equipment at all times to protect yourself and colleagues.
- Actively support continuous improvement activities (better flow, accuracy, safety and efficiency).
- Maintain high standards of housekeeping across warehouse and yard areas.
- Use initiative in the absence of the Warehouse Manager, ensuring safe continuation of key activities.
Accountability
- Accountable to the Warehouse Manager for safe operation, stock accuracy, goods-in/goods-out standards, housekeeping, and adherence to quality and H&S procedures.
Advantageous skills, knowledge and experience
- Good oral and written communication.
- Basic computer skills and confidence using internal systems (e.g., SAP or similar).
- Understanding of quality standards and the importance of traceability and checks.
- Experience working safely with procedures and risk assessments in an industrial environment.
- Strong attention to detail (locations, labels, quantities, quality checks).
- Experience storing and rotating stock correctly.
- Experience working with heavy materials; familiarity with safe heavy handling and staging.
- Experience working alongside overhead crane operations (or slinger/signaller / crane awareness training).
Essential attitudes and attributes
- Self-motivated and self-disciplined; able to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
- Calm, rational and safety-first under pressure.
- Flexible and able to re-prioritise based on business needs.
- Resourceful, proactive and a strong team player; able to give direction when needed.
- Willing and able to learn new equipment and support others.
- Comfortable working in a factory and outdoor yard environment.
- Excellent timekeeping and flexible work approach.
- Takes pride in keeping the warehouse clean, tidy and equipment well maintained.
Physical requirements
- Able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Able to lift/carry stock items regularly as part of the role.
- Frequent mounting and dismounting of FLT throughout the shift.
Essential requirement
Valid counterbalance FLT licence/certificate (please state type and expiry on application) and confidence operating up to a 5.5t truck.
