Plant Operative

Holcim UK; Darwen; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Health & Safety focus

Enhanced family benefits (maternity/p

Women Empowered mentor program

Free 24/7 remote GP service

Career progression opportunities

Staff discounts

Job summary

Holcim UK is seeking a Plant Operative in Darwen for a hybrid role that blends on-site and customer-facing work. You’ll operate heavy plant, assist with orders, and support物流 processes to move materials efficiently.

The role offers steady hours and a path for growth within a global leader in sustainable construction. You will work Monday to Friday 06:00 - 15:00 and Saturday 06:00 - 10:00, with training provided to develop machine skills, safety practices, and teamwork in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Customer service or front-line experience preferred; training provided.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Safety-conscious with a strong sense of responsibility.
• Ability to switch between phones and plant machinery.

Responsibilities

• Answering customer queries by phone, email, or in person, always delivering great service.
• Handling and processing customer orders accurately and efficiently.
• Identifying service improvements and sharing feedback from customers.
• Escalating any unresolved issues to team leaders or service managers.
• Operating heavy machinery safely and efficiently on site (excavators, loaders, etc.).
• Conducting daily safety checks and supporting plant operations and logistics.
• Keeping your work area, and the whole site clean, safe, and well-organised.
• Operating and monitoring asphalt batching and mixing plants to produce asphalt according to required job mix formulas and quality specifications.
• Conducting routine and preventative maintenance, inspections, and minor repairs on asphalt plant equipment, machinery, and production tools.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Problem solving

Flexibility

Job description

About Holcim

We are leaders in supplying innovative, sustainable building solutions to the UK construction industry; building progress for people and the planet.

Since 1858, we’ve helped shape the UK; powering the construction of homes and hospitals, roads and railways, schools and cities alike.

Our mission is to make sustainable construction a reality, through purposeful action that tackles real carbon and climate challenges. We are dedicated to helping Britain grow and thrive – by doing the right thing, doing it together, and making a difference.

Holcim UK Company Benefits

• Competitive Salary, plus bonus, 25 days holiday + your local bank holidays (with options to increase) and other benefits and other benefits - all recognising the contribution you bring
• Be valued and supported, working as part of a highly respected team in a business that has a huge focus on Health & Safety
• We care about you and your family. That’s why we offer enhanced family benefits, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. We understand that your personal life and family well-being are just as important as your career, so we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.
• Be part of something bigger with our "Women Empowered - Stronger Together Mentor Program," designed to support, inspire, and uplift women across the business.
• Free 24/7 remote GP service for you and your household, offering medical advice, prescriptions, referrals, and same-day appointments.
• Opportunities for career progression both at home and abroad
• Join our affinity groups selected by and populated by our employees which bring together employees with similar backgrounds and interests to have powerful influence on the workplace
• Staff discounts including special rates for garden landscaping products

The Opportunity

Are you ready to take on a role that’s all about People, Purpose and Performance? We’re looking for a Plant Operative to join our team in Darwen and help keep everything moving, on the ground and over the phone. If you enjoy working with customers just as much as operating big machines, this hybrid role gives you the best of both worlds, working on mobile plant, mixing material and working on the weighbridge. You'll work Monday to Friday 06:00 - 15:00 and Saturday 06:00 - 10:00.

You’ll be part of a tight-knit, fast-paced team that plays a vital role in delivering quality service and materials to our customers, whether that’s through taking orders, solving problems, or operating heavy machinery to get product out the door. It’s a job with variety, purpose, and plenty of room to grow.

What Makes This Role Stand Out?

Hands-on machine time – Operate heavy plant like loading shovels (we’ll train you!).

End-to-end impact – From placing an order to loading it up for delivery, you’re involved every step of the way.

Room to grow – With training, support, and development opportunities, you’re in control of your career.

What You’ll Be Doing

Answering customer queries by phone, email, or in person, always delivering great service.

Handling and processing customer orders accurately and efficiently.

Identifying service improvements and sharing feedback from customers.

Escalating any unresolved issues to team leaders or service managers.

Operating heavy machinery safely and efficiently on site (excavators, loaders, etc.).

Conducting daily safety checks and supporting plant operations and logistics.

Keeping your work area, and the whole site clean, safe, and well‑organised.

Operating and monitoring asphalt batching and mixing plants to produce asphalt according to required job mix formulas and quality specifications.

Conducting routine and preventative maintenance, inspections, and minor repairs on asphalt plant equipment, machinery, and production tools.

What You’ll Bring

A positive, proactive attitude, you enjoy helping people and solving problems.

Excellent communication and organisation skills.

A passion for teamwork, whether it’s in the office or out in the yard.

Some experience in customer service or operating plant is a plus—but we’ll train the right person.

A good grasp of safety practices and a strong sense of responsibility.

A flexible approach, you’re comfortable switching gears between phones and plant machinery.