Assistant Yard Manager

Lawsons (Whetstone) Ltd; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Company pension

Life Assurance

MyReward benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Training & progression

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Lawsons AVS Peterborough is seeking an Assistant Yard Manager to support the Yard Manager in a busy yard handling timber, fencing, landscaping and building materials. You will lead yard colleagues, supervise stock, and assist with deliveries and customer collections.

Typical hours are Monday to Friday 07:30–17:00 with Saturdays on a rota. The role emphasizes safety, organisation and hands‑on leadership within a friendly, local team.

Qualifications

• Previous yard/warehouse experience is essential.
• Supervising or coordinating colleagues in a yard environment is desirable.
• Safe material handling, stock control and yard housekeeping knowledge is required.
• Physically fit and able to lift/move materials safely.
• Forklift/telehandler experience desirable with relevant qualifications.
• Full UK driving licence desirable; licence requirements for vehicle/plant operation should be met.
• Strong organisation and ability to prioritise tasks in a busy environment.
• Good communication and customer‑focused approach.
• Basic numeracy and literacy for stock records and paperwork.

Responsibilities

• Support the Yard Manager with the daily organisation and smooth operation of the yard.
• Coordinate receipt, unloading, checking, storage and presentation of timber, fencing, landscaping and building materials.
• Plan and prioritise customer orders for collection and delivery; ensure on-time picking.
• Supervise and support yard colleagues; allocate tasks and provide guidance.
• Ensure stock is stored safely, tidily and accessible to customers and colleagues.
• Carry out regular stock checks and record stock movements, discrepancies and damaged goods.
• Assist with vehicle loading and ensure safe handling of goods.
• Operate forklifts or other plant only if trained and authorised.
• Provide friendly, professional service to customers in the yard.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping and safety.
• Assist with health and safety procedures and incident reporting.
• Assist with induction, training and development of new yard colleagues.
• Work with branch, transport and sales teams to support customer service and delivery operations.
• Undertake additional duties to support branch operations.

Skills

Yard supervision

Stock control

Health & safety

Forklift experience

Driving licence

Organisation

Communication

Team leadership

Job description

Lawsons is a leading independent supplier of timber, fencing, landscaping and building materials. With branches serving trade and retail customers across the UK, we deliver quality products, expert advice and excellent customer service. We are recruiting for an Assistant Yard Manager based at our AVS Peterborough branch to support the day-to-day running of a busy yard.

Position Overview

We are looking for an organised, practical and customer‑focused Assistant Yard Manager to support the Yard Manager and branch team at AVS Peterborough. This hands‑on role involves coordinating yard activities, overseeing the safe handling and storage of timber, fencing, landscaping and building materials, supporting customer collections, maintaining stock accuracy and helping to ensure high standards of health and safety. The successful candidate will lead by example, support colleagues and contribute to efficient branch operations during busy trading periods.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the Yard Manager with the daily organisation and smooth operation of the yard.

• Coordinate the receipt, unloading, checking, storage and presentation of timber, fencing, landscaping and building materials.

• Help plan and prioritise customer orders for collection and delivery, ensuring goods are picked accurately and on time.

• Supervise and support yard colleagues, allocating tasks effectively and providing guidance during busy periods.

• Ensure stock is stored safely, presented tidily and accessible to customers and colleagues.

• Carry out regular stock checks and support accurate recording of stock movements, discrepancies and damaged goods.

• Assist with vehicle loading and ensure goods are handled and secured safely in line with company procedures.

• Operate forklifts, telehandlers or other mechanical plant only where trained, qualified and authorised.

• Provide friendly and professional service to customers visiting the yard, assisting with product collections and queries.

• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, including waste removal and keeping working areas clean, organised and safe.

• Help ensure all health and safety procedures are followed, report hazards and support routine checks and incident reporting.

• Assist with the induction, training and development of new yard colleagues where required.

• Work closely with the branch, transport and sales teams to support efficient customer service and delivery operations.

• Undertake any additional reasonable duties required to support branch operations.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in a yard operative, warehouse, logistics or builders’ merchant environment is essential.

• Experience of supervising or coordinating colleagues in a yard or warehouse environment is desirable.

• Good knowledge of safe material handling, stock control and yard housekeeping practices.

• Physically fit and able to carry, lift and move materials safely throughout the shift.

• Experience operating a forklift, telehandler or similar mechanical plant is desirable, with relevant qualifications preferred.

• A full UK driving licence is desirable, with any licence requirements relating to vehicle or plant operation to be met.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks in a busy working environment.

• Good communication skills and a confident, customer‑focused approach.

• Basic numeracy and literacy with the ability to complete stock records and paperwork accurately.

• Commitment to following health and safety procedures and challenging unsafe practices appropriately.

• Reliable, punctual and flexible with a practical, team‑oriented approach.

• Willingness to support colleagues and take responsibility for maintaining high standards across the yard.

Working Hours

This is a full‑time, permanent position. Working hours are Monday - Friday 07.30 - 17.00, plus 1 in 2 Saturdays 08.00 - 12.00.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary - £31,500.

• 25 days’ holiday plus UK Bank Holidays and an additional celebration day.

• Competitive salary + company pension

• Life Assurance / Death in Service

• MyReward benefits platform – including retail discounts, wellbeing support + Online GP access

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Training, development & genuine career progression

• Supportive, team‑focused working environment

Why Join Lawsons at AVS Peterborough?

• Be part of a respected independent supplier of timber, fencing, landscaping and building materials.

• Take on a varied role with responsibility for supporting the successful operation of a busy branch yard.

• Develop your leadership and operational skills with opportunities for internal progression.

• Work with a friendly local team serving trade and retail customers across Peterborough and the surrounding area.

• Join a business that values safety, customer service and colleague wellbeing.

Lawsons is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. If you are an organised and dependable team player with yard or warehouse experience and the ability to support colleagues, we would like to hear from you. #MP