Depot Operative

Vertical Access Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Training and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Vertical Access Ltd. is seeking a proactive Depot Operative to support daily depot operations and ensure equipment readiness across UK sites. You will manage transport, handle deliveries, and maintain asset records, reporting to the Depot Manager.

The role requires hands-on effort, accuracy and a commitment to safety. Based in the depot network, you will develop skills in equipment lifecycle management and potentially progress into broader operational roles within the company.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence.
• Able to reliably commute to OL5 9AY depot.
• Excellent organisational skills with a proactive, hands-on approach.
• Strong housekeeping and time-management skills.
• Good working knowledge of power tools.

Responsibilities

• Maintain rope access and lifting equipment, ensuring certification and safe deployment.
• Transport and deliver materials, equipment, kit and plant to sites across the UK.
• Assist with incoming deliveries and support day-to-day depot operations.
• Support asset tracking, equipment lifecycle management and depot readiness.
• Work both in a team and independently, taking initiative as needed to mobilise project teams safely.

Skills

Driving licence

Organisational skills

Proactive

Housekeeping

Time-management

Tools

Power tools

Job description

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 45 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

(Hours may vary depending on operational requirements, including occasional weekend work)

About Vertical Access

Vertical Access is one of the UK’s most established specialist access contractors, delivering geotechnical, structural, inspection and access solutions across the rail, construction, civil engineering and infrastructure sectors.

Founded in 1988, we have built a strong reputation for safety, technical expertise and delivering challenging projects across the UK. Our teams work on a wide range of sites, from major rail and infrastructure schemes to commercial buildings and landmark structures.

Behind our site teams is a busy operational depot responsible for making sure our people have the equipment, tools, vehicles and materials they need to carry out their work safely and efficiently.

As part of the Vertical Access team, you will be joining an established and growing business where reliability, teamwork and high standards are important at every level. We value the contribution of our depot and operational staff and offer the opportunity to work in a varied, hands-on environment supporting projects across the country.

The Role

We are looking for a proactive and reliable Depot Operative to support the day-to-day running of our depot and help maintain equipment integrity, company compliance and overall depot readiness.

A key part of the role will involve ensuring rope access and lifting equipment is maintained, certified, tracked and deployed safely. You will also be responsible for the regular transport and delivery of materials, equipment, kit and plant to sites across the UK, assisting with incoming deliveries and supporting the wider day-to-day operation of the depot.

Reporting to the Depot Manager, this is a hands-on and physically demanding role that plays an important part in supporting the safe and efficient mobilisation of our operational teams. Responsibilities will include helping ensure project teams have the correct vehicles, materials and certified equipment required to mobilise safely and efficiently.

The successful candidate will need to be comfortable working both as part of a team and independently, using their own initiative and taking responsibility for tasks when required. The role is central to site safety, asset tracking, equipment lifecycle management and the smooth running of our operational activities.

We see this position as more than simply a depot support role. For the right candidate, it offers a progressive entry point into the wider Vertical Access business, with the opportunity to develop additional skills, take on greater responsibility and progress into other operational, technical or supervisory areas of the company over time.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic and hardworking individual with a strong work ethic and a proactive approach to supporting our depot operations. The right candidate will be organised, practical and comfortable taking responsibility for their work, while also showing a genuine willingness to learn, develop new skills and progress professionally through the training and development opportunities available within the company.

• Full UK driving licence
• Ability to reliably commute to our depot at OL5 9AY
• Excellent organisational skills with a proactive, hands-on approach
• Strong housekeeping and time-management skills
• Good working knowledge of power tools

Previous experience in the following areas would be beneficial but is not essential. We are equally interested in candidates who demonstrate the right attitude and a willingness to learn, with specialist training and development available for the successful candidate.

• Experience working within rope access, work-at-height, lifting or associated safety-equipment environments
• Knowledge and understanding of LOLER requirements
• Knowledge and understanding of PUWER requirements
• Experience working with plant, tools and equipment
• Experience towing trailers
• IT, administration and record-keeping skills

What We Provide

At Vertical Access, we want our people to feel part of the wider business and to have the opportunity to develop as the company grows. We offer a supportive, team-focused working environment where good performance is recognised, ideas are valued and there is genuine scope to take on more responsibility over time.

You’ll be joining a progressive and fast-developing company with a strong internal team dynamic, varied day-to-day work and opportunities to build your skills and progress within the business.

Other perks include:

• Company pension
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme