Crane Driver

Sheffield Forgemasters International; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 9% employer pension contribution

Life Assurance 4x salary

All Employee Bonus up to £1000

Onsite canteen

Free onsite parking and EV chargers

Cycle to Work scheme

Onsite Occupational Health Team

Staff discounts portal

Job summary

Sheffield Forgemasters International is seeking a Crane Driver to support the Machine Shops, handling large components with overhead cranes and slings in a high‑precision manufacturing environment.

You will move components and tooling around the shop, create lift plans, and help maintain safety and cleanliness. A valid crane licence and 12 months’ experience are required; training for forklifts is available, with a 37.5‑hour week on a 3‑shift rotation.

Qualifications

• Hold a valid Crane Driving Licence.
• Minimum 12 months’ crane driving and slinging experience.
• Experience operating counterbalance forklift trucks, cherry pickers and scissor lifts is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Operating overhead cranes and slinging to move large components.
• Transporting components, tooling and materials across the Machine Shop.
• Creating component-specific lift plans.
• Removing swarf and ensuring proper disposal procedures.
• Maintaining high levels of housekeeping to support manufacturing standards.
• Operating counterbalance forklifts, cherry pickers and scissor lifts where required (training provided).
• Working independently and as part of a team to complete tasks.
• Following Health & Safety policies and procedures.
• Undertaking other duties appropriate to the role.

Skills

Crane driving

Slinging

Forklift operation

Health & safety

Job description

At Sheffield Forgemasters we have an exciting opportunity for a Crane Driver to join our team.

This role is based at our 64-acre site, sitting in the heart of Sheffield, and will be working as part of our Machine Shops team. Our Machine Shops offer both rough and finish machining to exacting tolerances, producing complex components for some of the world’s most demanding industries, including reactor heads for nuclear applications. The department is home to an extensive range of milling, turning, boring and finishing machinery, including the UK’s largest Vertical Turning Lathe and Horizontal Floor Borer.

As a Crane Driver, you will be responsible for the safe slinging, crane driving and manoeuvring of large components to support machining operations, while helping maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment throughout the Machine Shops.

What you’ll be doing

• Operating overhead cranes and carrying out slinging activities to safely move large components and support machining operations.
• Transporting components, tooling and materials throughout the Machine Shop areas.
• Creating component-specific lift plans.
• Removing swarf from machining areas and ensuring correct disposal procedures are followed.
• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping and cleanliness to support world-class manufacturing standards.
• Operating counterbalance forklift trucks, cherry pickers and scissor lifts where required (training can be provided).
• Working independently and as part of a team to identify and complete tasks proactively.
• Following all Health & Safety policies, procedures and regulations.
• Undertaking other duties appropriate to the role.

About You

• Hold a valid Crane Driving Licence.
• Have a minimum of 12 months’ experience in crane driving and slinging operations.
• Experience within a heavy engineering or manufacturing environment would be advantageous.
• Experience operating counterbalance forklift trucks, cherry pickers and scissor lifts is desirable.
• Experience transporting large components safely would be beneficial.

As well as having the skills, knowledge and experience for this role, we are also looking for someone who embodies our core values: Customer Focus, Working Together, Trust & Respect, Quality & Innovation, and Safety & Wellbeing.

The Working Pattern

This is a full-time role working an average of 37.5 hours per week on a 3-shift rotation: Mornings/Afternoon and Nights.

Why Sheffield Forgemasters?

Sheffield Forgemasters is an iconic steel production and engineering company, with a history that can be traced back to the 1750s, starting life as a small blacksmith forge. We have since gone through many evolutions and gone by several different names and guises, whilst consistently being at the forefront of innovation and new process development in the steel industry.

Recognising Sheffield Forgemasters as a global leader in the designing, manufacturing and delivering of world-class steel forgings and castings, we were acquired by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2021. The acquisition has secured our role as a critical supplier to the next generation of UK defence programmes. As part of this programme of work, £1.3bn is being invested in modernising our plant and equipment, creating new opportunities for the business and our colleagues.

What We Offer

• Stability, with large-scale & long-term investment and orders already secured into the 2040s.
• A programme of redevelopment that will include state-of-the-art new machinery and facilities on site.
• Up to 9% employer pension contribution.
• Life Assurance Scheme as part of the pension programme, 4 x annual salary.
• All Employee Bonus Scheme, up to £1000 paid annually, dependent on company performance.
• Onsite canteen.
• Free onsite parking and available EV chargers.
• Multi-Faith Room.
• Free Sheffield Forgemasters branded coat upon joining, with other branded workwear available to purchase online.
• You at Work – Access to online discounts portal.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Discounted Westfield Health Plan Scheme.
• Onsite Occupational Health Team, providing health screening and wellbeing initiatives and support, including but not limited to:
  • Availability to confidentially discuss any physical or mental health concerns.
  • Referrals and access to Physiotherapy sessions, when required.
  • Ear irrigation.
  • Flu Vaccinations.
  • Blood Pressure management clinics.
  • Weight management clinics.
  • Occupational Health checks in line with health promotion and wellbeing events. e.g. Cholesterol, Blood sugar, Icle tests, etc.
  • Health promotion campaigns, utilising outside companies / charities, such as Andy’s Man Club.
  • Access to Zest Fit – Lifestyle Coach.
  • Skills for life sessions offered to all, including CPR, managing bleeds, burns etc.
  • Financial Wellbeing Sessions – Pension providers coming on site to talk to colleagues and offering advice.
  • Chaplain Service.
• Support for ex-military and reservists in employment as a bronze accredited participant in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

Equality and Diversity

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Sheffield Forgemasters. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our local catchment area and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Flexible Working

We recognise the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements that align with our policies. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office-based and remote working. Applicants can request further information regarding the policy and how this may work in their role, from our People & Culture Team and / or the line manager for the applicable role.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. People working with government / MOD assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

Nationality limitations

Please be aware that many roles at Sheffield Forgemasters are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 – 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Join our team of heavy engineering experts and help build the world's most critical infrastructure.

We offer hands‑on training, recognised qualifications, and structured routes into skilled engineering careers. Whether you’re applying for an apprenticeship or joining with experience, you’ll work with industry-leading equipment and be part of complex, large-scale projects in steel manufacturing.