Bulks Operative (Nights)

Port of Tilbury London; Tilbury; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Paid overtime

Generous annual leave entitlement

On-site free parking

Pension scheme

Job summary

Port of Tilbury London is seeking a Bulks Operative (Nights) to join the Bulk Terminal team in Tilbury. The role involves loading and unloading lorries and vessels, operating in storage areas, and using automated systems to support bulk handling operations.

Working hours are 22:00–06:00, 5 days a week with overtime. A strong focus on safety, housekeeping, and compliance with procedures is essential. Training will be provided for equipment operation and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience operating bulk handling equipment in a port or industrial setting.
• Comfortable working in dusty areas or environments with potential explosive atmospheres.
• Complete understanding of stock management principles and bulk storage procedures.
• Full UK driving licence and valid UK working rights are essential.
• Willingness to learn and operate automated systems and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Handle cargo and plant with due care and attention at all times.
• Co-operate with management to meet customer requirements safely and efficiently.
• Maintain a safety-first culture and adhere to company policies and risk assessments.
• Report incidents or unsafe observations through approved channels (training provided).
• Develop and maintain good working relationships within the Bulk Terminal team.

Skills

MHE experience

Full UK Driving Licence

Port environment experience

Working at height

Working in confined spaces

UK Working Rights

Stock management

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Job Description

Location: Port of Tilbury London Ltd, Leslie Ford House

Job Title: Bulks Operative (Nights)

Location: Port of Tilbury

Hours: 22:00 – 06:00 5 out of 7 days + Overtime

Compensation: £33,605 + Shift Allowance £2,969

At Forth Ports, we keep trade, logistics, and infrastructure moving. Every day, our teams support the flow of goods, materials, and services that businesses and communities rely on, helping to power economic growth across the UK and beyond. Our people are at the core of everything we do, and their expertise, commitment, and innovation drive our success.

With our commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero by 2042, we're investing heavily in sustainable and digital technologies, including major growth in offshore wind and greener port operations. For you, this means joining a business that's evolving, ambitious, and making a real difference.

About The Role

The Port of Tilbury Bulk Terminal is responsible for handling both imports and exports of various loose bulk material. Utilising different types and sizes of Mechanical Handling and Conveying Equipment.

The terminal operates to feed-grade standards, offering a fully automated (CMAT) conveyor system and flexible loading and discharge solutions for animal feed, construction, recycled and other bulk materials for import and export operations.

As a Grade 2 operative within our Bulk Terminal Operations team, you will play a vital role in servicing all customer requirements including loading and unloading lorries and vessels, operating in storage areas, operating weighbridges and automated systems to facilitate our service to our customer base. Your prompt and safe response to a dynamic working environment while ensuring compliance with all company and statutory requirements will be key to supporting the Bulk Terminal in achieving its operational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle cargo and plant with due care and attention at all times.
• Co-operate with the direction of the Management & supervisory teams to ensure customer requirements are met in a safe, efficient and timely manner.
• Always conduct yourself in a safe working manner and promote to others a positive safety-first culture.
• Conformity to all company policies, procedures, risk assessments and method statements at all times.
• To report any incident, accident or unsafe observation through the approved channels and methodology (training will be provided)
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with all members of the Bulk Terminal team.
• Promote the good nature of the company and always conduct oneself in a professional manner.
• Maintain a high standard of house keeping of the site and working areas.
• Use and maintain all supplied PPE correctly and maintain accurate records thereof.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a safety-conscious, reliable and hardworking individual who thrives in a fast-paced operational environment and takes pride in delivering excellent service to customers. The successful candidate will be a strong team player with a positive attitude, able to work collaboratively with colleagues and supervisors while remaining flexible to changing operational demands. They will demonstrate a proactive approach to health and safety, maintain high standards of housekeeping and professionalism, and be committed to following procedures and working practices. Experience within industrial, logistics, manufacturing, agricultural, port or bulk handling environments would be advantageous, but equally important is a willingness to learn, operate equipment and automated systems, and contribute to the efficient and safe movement of cargo across the terminal.

Skills & Qualifications

Bulk Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) experience preferred but relevant training will be provided.

• Working in dusty areas, or environments that may contain explosive atmospheres.
• All required MHE Excluding Harbour Mobile Cranes
• Working within a port environment
• Working at Height
• Working within confined spaces
• Working on board vessels/near water
• Understanding of stock management principles and procedures
• Knowledge of food safety systems in a bulk industrial storage environment
• Full Driving Licence, valid in the UK
• Full UK Working Rights

Competent knowledge & understanding in using various computer packages desired, such as

• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel

What Forth Ports Can Offer You

• A competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• Paid overtime
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary
• In‑house Occupational Health — Provides professional workplace health advice, support, and guidance for employees across all sites
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — Delivered through Health Assured, offering 24/7, 365‑day confidential wellbeing support via the Wisdom app or telephone access, covering mental health, financial advice, legal guidance, and emotional wellbeing
• Physiotherapy Support — Access to physiotherapy sessions through three external providers in Scotland, plus an onsite physiotherapist once per week in Tilbury
• An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat‑free alternative for all employees
• GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group, and selected local gyms
• Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting
• On‑site free parking available for all employees
• Attractive family‑friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover
• Employee discount platform providing savings on UK‑wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays

We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service.

We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military spouses/partners, and we actively support flexible and inclusive recruitment practices.

About The Company

Over our 50 years of experience we have witnessed our ports grow to become important assets to support and deliver growth both for the UK and local economies. The growth impact has been achieved due to the continued investments in our infrastructure, making sure that our ports are able to continually develop their services and support the growth of many industries. Our people have played a significant role. They have delivered the highest quality of service through their expertise, loyalty and flexibility and, without them, we could not have built the strong reputation and the long term agreements with many customers that we have today.

Company Culture

Welcome to Forth Ports Careers. As a leading port operator, we employ over 1,100 people across our ports in Scotland and the Port of Tilbury in London. A career in a port business is very rewarding. There is real variety within each role and significant opportunities for promotion and career development. Don’t just take our word for it; view the “Some of our People” section and the video below to gain insight into the kinds of jobs our employees do, how they’ve grown with us, and what motivates them each day. The port business can be seen as a barometer for the economy and this drives us to be adaptable and fast paced as we identify new business opportunities.

Required Criteria

• Full Driving Licence, valid in the UK
• Full UK Working Rights
• Comfortable working within a port environment, including working at height and confined spaces

Closing Date Friday 18th September, 2026

Contract Type fulltime

Salary £36,574.00 Yearly