Port & Safety Operator

James Fisher and Sons plc; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Career growth opportunities

Inclusive culture

Work that makes a difference

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc is recruiting for a Port Operator in Plymouth. The role involves safe movement of cargo to and from vessels, stores, and road freight, plus general warehouse duties at Cattedown Wharves.

You will work as part of a dedicated team under the Wharf Manager, ensuring adherence to safety and operational procedures. The position requires a valid UK driving licence, willingness to train on new machinery, and a proactive, team-oriented mindset.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Full UK driving licence.
• Previous port experience is desirable.
• Experience operating heavy plant is essential.
• Swing Shovel experience is desirable.
• Basic competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Familiarity with digital communication platforms.

Responsibilities

• Assist with loading/unloading cargo to ships, stores, and road transport.
• Follow safe systems of work and carry out risk assessments as required.
• Undertake general duties to ensure efficient port operations.

Job description

About the Role

Port Operator Permanent position Plymouth, Cattedown Wharves

The Role

Reporting to the Wharf Manager, you will be working in a team of Port Operators engaging in the safe movement of cargo to and from vessels, stores and road freight along with general warehouse duties.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• To assist with a busy port operation in Plymouth, including the loading and unloading of cargoes to and from ships into port side stores and road transport.
• Ability to follow safe systems of work and risk assessments.
• To undertake general duties associated with the efficient operation of the Port.

Key Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Must hold a Full UK driving licence.
• Previous port experience is desirable.
• Previous experience of driving heavy plant (Volvo Front Loader / A25 Dumper) in an operational environment is essential.
• Swing Shovel experience is desirable.
• Basic competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Familiarity with digital communication platforms.

Who are we looking for?

• Must be willing to undergo training to operate new machinery.
• Must have a positive, self-motivated attitude and be a team player.
• You will need excellent organisational and time management skills along with strong verbal and written communication skills.

*You will need to have a flexible approach to work, as the hours are in line with vessel arrival/sailing schedules, including weekends and occasional unsociable hours.

Why join us?

• Competitive benefits tailored to the division.
• Opportunities for career growth and visibility across the organisation.
• A supportive, inclusive culture that values your ideas and contributions.
• Work that truly makes a difference in safety, innovation, and global capability.

About Us

James Fisher is a global engineering services company with over 50 years of experience delivering complex offshore energy projects in some of the world’s most challenging environments. We operate across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport, leveraging cutting-edge technology and deep expertise to support the full lifecycle of our customers’ assets.

Maritime Transport - With nearly two centuries of maritime shipping and innovation, James Fisher has an unrivalled reputation for quality, safety and reliability. Our long-standing customer partnerships allow us to deliver the highest possible standard of maritime solutions. As a global specialist in ship-to-ship transfer and coastal shipping, James Fisher is a recognised market leader in the movement of the world’s critical resources. Ensuring safety at sea and in port, and investing in the fleet of tomorrow, James Fisher is shaping the future of maritime.

Cattedown Wharves is owned and operated by James Fisher and Sons plc, and is a vital commercial port located on the Cattewater in Plymouth, UK. Specialising in bulk liquids, petroleum, and dry bulk cargoes, it operates a 220-meter jetty dredged to 7.6 meters LWOST and handles 1.5 million tonnes of freight annually. The wharves are a strategic maritime hub connecting the Southwest of England to global trade routes.

James Fisher and Sons are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications for candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success depends on our talented and diverse workforce.