Counterbalance Forklift Driver

Cotteswold Dairy Ltd; Tewkesbury; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days leave

Refer-a-friend £500

Cycle to work

Product discounts

Pension (Aviva)

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Cotteswold Dairy is seeking skilled Counterbalance Forklift Drivers for our new state-of-the-art Chilled Warehouse at the Tewkesbury Depot. You will operate modern electric forklifts, perform pre-use checks, and support safe loading and unloading of goods.

You will join a team focused on safety, efficiency, and quality as we expand our chilled operations. A valid forklift licence and relevant warehouse experience are essential for this role.

Qualifications

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

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

Counterbalance forklift licence

Forklift operation experience

Organisational skills

Communication

Numeracy

Dairy/FMCG experience

Job description

About The Role

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: Paid at 1.25x 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 reliableCounterbalance 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.

You’ll 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, you’ll 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)

About Us

About Cotteswold DairySince 1938, Cotteswold Dairy has flourished from a modest milk round—delivering just 30 gallons a day using a bucket and ladle—into one of the UK’s most respected independent, family-run dairies, rooted in Tewkesbury. Built on the founding values of quality, service, and cleanliness, the business has remained committed to those principles spanning three generations, now under the leadership of Managing Director George Workman.

Today, we process, pack, and deliver over 100 million litres of milk and dairy products each year to doorstep customers and businesses across England and Wales, operating from multiple depots and a modern production site in Tewkesbury.

At our heart lies a strong ethical and environmental commitment. We partner with local farms within a 60-mile radius—many Red Tractor-certified—promoting sustainable farming practices, animal welfare, and minimal environmental impact. We’ve championed eco-friendly initiatives for decades, including returnable glass bottles, electric milk floats, telematics for efficient logistics, and zero waste-to-landfill operations.

More than a business, Cotteswold Dairy is a values-driven community dedicated to delivering wholesome, high-quality dairy products while nurturing people, our communities, and our planet—making us a compelling and meaningful place to build your career.

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