Transport Controller / Warehouse Operative

Apollo Distribution Solutions (East Midlands); Hemington; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Employee referral programme

Forklift training

Job summary

Apollo Distribution Solutions is seeking a flexible Warehouse Operative / Transport Controller in Castle Donington. The role combines warehouse tasks with transport coordination and can evolve into a specialised position over time.

You will spend time across both areas initially, developing operation-wide understanding and contributing to efficient stock handling, dispatch, and driver management.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think independently.
• Excellent organisational skills with a practical, hands-on approach.
• Confident communication skills, both over the telephone and by email.
• Good knowledge of UK geography, especially the Midlands, and reliable IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Booking stock and deliveries in and out of the warehouse.
• Picking, packing and preparing goods for dispatch.
• Processing returns and ensuring the items are properly identified and managed.
• Receiving used mannequins and preparing them for storage or refurbishment.
• Planning routes and coordinating drivers to ensure timely deliveries.
• Responding to customer enquiries by phone and email.
• Providing delivery updates and handling on-call duties when required.

Skills

Strong problem-solving skills

Organisational skills

Customer service mindset

Good communication

UK geography knowledge

Tools

Forklift truck qualification

Job description

Warehouse Operative / Transport Controller

Apollo Distribution Solutions - Castle Donington

Salary: £31,590 per annum (£13.50 per hour)

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:30 (30-minute unpaid lunch break)

Location: Castle Donington, DE74 2ZB

About Apollo

Apollo Distribution Solutions is an independently owned logistics business providing a range of transport, distribution and warehousing services to customers across the UK and beyond.

We are looking for a versatile, organised and proactive individual to join our team in a hybrid Warehouse Operative / Transport Controller position.

This is a varied role offering the opportunity to work across two important areas of our business: warehouse operations and transport coordination.

Initially, the successful candidate will spend time working across both departments, developing an understanding of the operation and gaining experience in each area. Over time, we will look to identify where their strengths and interests lie, with the intention of developing the position into a more specialised warehouse or transport role.

We are not necessarily looking for someone who has done everything before. Attitude, initiative, organisation and problem-solving ability are just as important as previous experience.

Warehouse responsibilities

Booking stock and deliveries in and out of the warehouse.

Picking, packing and preparing goods for dispatch.

Processing commercial customer returns and ensuring returned goods are correctly identified and managed.

Receiving used mannequins and preparing them for storage, auction or external refurbishment and respraying.

Managing returned metal materials from customer sites, including sorting and handling scrap metal collections.

Maintaining accurate stock records and ensuring warehouse movements are recorded correctly.

Keeping the warehouse organised, safe and tidy.

Operating forklift equipment where qualified. Training can be provided if required.

Transport coordination responsibilities

Assisting with the planning and coordination of daily transport operations.

Allocating vehicles and jobs to drivers efficiently.

Communicating with drivers throughout the working day to monitor progress and resolve issues.

Handling customer enquiries by telephone and email.

Providing delivery updates and dealing with customer requirements.

Planning routes, considering geographical locations, journey times and vehicle suitability.

Reacting to last-minute changes, delays and unexpected problems.

Ensuring jobs are completed efficiently and customers receive a good level of service.

Additional responsibilities

Participating in an out-of-hours on-call rota, typically 1-2 weekdays per week and approximately one weekend in every three weeks initially (this wouldn’t start straight way).

Monitoring and coordinating weekend transport operations, including pre-booked jobs and any unexpected operational requirements.

Providing occasional driving cover where operationally necessary.

Providing holiday cover and general support across the wider operation.

Out-of-hours on-call payments

In addition to the basic salary, the following standby payments apply:

Weekday on-call: Typically, 1-2 days per week. This forms part of the normal role and does not attract an additional standby payment.

Weekend on-call: £75 per weekend. The initial expectation will be at least one weekend in every three weeks. As the team grows, this may reduce to one weekend in every four or five weeks. Additional weekends may be available for those wishing to earn more.

Bank holiday on-call: £40 per bank holiday. These commitments will be shared as evenly as reasonably possible across the team, although additional opportunities may be available for those wishing to take them on. It is very rare for anything to happen on a bank holiday.

Weekend standby involves remaining available to monitor and coordinate pre-booked transport work and respond to operational requirements. Workload is generally manageable, typically involving between 1 and 10 jobs across a weekend.

**All weekend and bank holiday standby payments are additional to the basic salary.**

What we're looking for

We are more interested in finding the right person than a particular CV. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think independently.

A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to get involved.

Good organisational skills and attention to detail.

Confident communication skills, both over the telephone and by email.

A positive attitude towards customer service.

The ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure.

Good geographical knowledge of the UK, particularly the Midlands.

Good IT skills and confidence using computer-based systems.

Reliability, flexibility and a willingness to take responsibility.

The following would be advantageous but not essential:

Previous warehouse, transport or logistics experience.

A forklift truck qualification or previous forklift experience. Training can be provided.

Experience using warehouse or transport management systems.

A full UK driving licence.

What we offer

£31,590 annual salary (£13.50 per hour), paid monthly.

Additional payments for weekend and bank holiday standby duties.

Company pension.

Employee referral programme.

Training and development opportunities, including forklift training where required.

The opportunity to develop skills across both warehouse and transport operations.

The opportunity to progress into a more specialised position as your strengths and interests develop.

Who would suit this role?

This position would suit someone who enjoys variety and doesn't want to be tied to a desk or spend every day doing the same thing.

You might have previous experience in transport, warehousing, logistics or a similar operational environment, or you might simply be someone who is practical, organised and naturally good at resolving problems.

You'll need to be equally comfortable getting involved with warehouse activities as you are picking up the telephone, responding to customers and coordinating drivers.

If you're proactive, reliable and enjoy being part of a busy operation where no two days are quite the same, we'd like to hear from you.

Additional employment requirements

Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.