Forklift Driver

Cotteswold Dairy; East Kilbride; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading family-owned dairy is seeking a reliable Counterbalance Forklift Driver for the Chilled Warehouse in Tewkesbury. Responsibilities include safely operating forklifts to manage goods, assisting with order picking, and maintaining hygiene standards. Candidates must have a valid forklift licence, experience in a similar environment, and strong organisational skills. The role offers a competitive salary, career progression opportunities, and various employee benefits including a pension scheme and annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive salary

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

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid Counterbalance Forklift Licence, renewed within the last 3 years.
• Experience operating forklifts in a warehouse, distribution, or food production environment is required.
• Candidates should demonstrate strong organisational and communication skills.

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.

Skills

Counterbalance Forklift Operation

Organisational Skills

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Numeracy Skills

Education

Valid Counterbalance Forklift Licence

Experience in Warehouse or Food Production

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: 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 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.

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)