Counterbalance Forklift Driver

Cotteswold Dairy Ltd; Bradley Stoke; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

30 days leave

Refer-a-friend bonus

Cycle to work

Discounted products

Pension scheme

Health support

Job summary

Cotteswold Dairy is hiring a Counterbalance Forklift Driver for our new Chilled Warehouse at the Tewkesbury Depot. You will operate modern electric forklifts with pre-use checks and support loading, unloading, and distribution of goods in a safe, efficient manner.

We require a valid Counterbalance Forklift Licence renewed within the last 3 years, plus experience in a warehouse, distribution, or food production environment.

Qualifications

• Valid Counterbalance Forklift Licence (renewed within last 3 years).
• Experience operating forklifts in a warehouse, distribution, or food production environment.
• Strong organisational and communication skills with high attention to detail.
• Positive, reliable and flexible approach with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Good numeracy skills and understanding of health & safety best practice.
• Desirable: experience in dairy, FMCG, or chilled food sector.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts to safely check, transport, load and unload goods in the chilled warehouse.
• Assist warehouse operatives with order picking, stock rotation and replenishment.
• Maintain a clean and organised working environment at all times.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and health & safety regulations.
• Work collaboratively across departments to support smooth warehouse and production operations.
• Perform other reasonable duties as required by supervisors or team leaders.

Skills

Forklift operation

Warehouse experience

Health & safety

Numeracy

Communication

Job description

Counterbalance Forklift Driver Chilled Warehouse (Tewkesbury)

Employer: Cotteswold Dairy Department: Chilled Warehouse Hours: Minimum 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7 on a shift rota Shift Times: Multiple start times from 05:00 Overtime: after 40 hours Location: Tewkesbury Depot, GL20 8JE

Join Our Team in our new State-of-the-Art Warehouse

Cotteswold Dairy, a leading family-owned dairy since 1938, is seeking skilled and reliable Counterbalance Forklift Drivers to join our Chilled Warehouse Team at our brand-new, state-of-the-art Tewkesbury Depot. This is a key role ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods within our new chilled warehouse, glass fridge, and loading bay operations.

Youll operate our modern electric forklift trucks with pre-use check systems, card-based operator access, heated cabs, 360-degree visibility, and advanced safety features. Working alongside Warehouse Team Leaders, Production and Distribution teams, youll help ensure that products are loaded, unloaded, and distributed safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts to safely check, transport, load and unload goods in the chilled warehouse.
• Assist warehouse operatives with order picking, stock rotation and replenishment.
• Maintain a clean and organised working environment at all times.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and health & safety regulations.
• Work collaboratively across departments to support smooth warehouse and production operations.
• Perform other reasonable duties as required by supervisors or team leaders.

About You

• Valid Counterbalance Forklift Licence (renewed within the last 3 years).
• Experience operating forklifts in a warehouse, distribution, or food production environment.
• Strong organisational and communication skills with high attention to detail.
• Positive, reliable, and flexible approach with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Good numeracy skills and understanding of health & safety best practice.
• (Desirable) Experience in the dairy, FMCG, or chilled food sector.

Additional Information

• Manual handling is required, and strict hygiene standards apply.
• Only a single solid wedding band may be worn; no earrings, bracelets, necklaces, makeup, strong perfume or deodorants permitted in production areas.
• Due to shift start times, applicants must have reliable transport to the Tewkesbury site.
• Applicants will be asked to upload their Forklift Licence as part of the application process.

Progression Opportunities

We invest in the development of our people through regular training, refresher forklift and PPT courses, NVQs, and the Cotteswold Academy development programme. Career pathways include Team Leader and Warehouse Supervisor roles.

Team Cotteswold Benefits

• Competitive salary with opportunities for career progression
• 30 days annual leave increasing with service
• Refer-a-friend bonus scheme (up to £500)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted products and delivery options
• Aviva pension scheme (4% employee, 4.5% employer contributions)
• Health and wellbeing support through Simply Health (claim back the cost of medical bills)