Warehouse Despatch Operative

Barfoots; Bognor Regis; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Free onsite parking

Training and development opportunities

Discounted Barfoots vegetable box

Job summary

Barfoots is seeking a hands-on Despatch Operative to join our busy warehouse near our Head Office in PO21 3PX. You will pick, pack and load customer orders, using handheld scanners and pallet trucks to ensure accuracy and timely dispatch of fresh produce to UK retailers.

Working 4 days on, 4 days off in a temperature-controlled environment, you’ll join a supportive team focused on food safety, quality and efficient operation. Prior warehouse experience and a forklift licence are advantageous.

Qualifications

• Previous warehouse, despatch or logistics experience, ideally within FMCG or fresh food
• Good written and verbal communication skills (English Level 2 desirable)
• Experience working to productivity and accuracy targets
• Basic IT skills, including data entry and email
• A Counterbalance Forklift Licence or previous forklift experience (advantageous but not essential as training may be available)
• CIEH Manual Handling Level 2 and Food Safety Level 2 qualifications (desirable)
• A flexible approach and willingness to work across Barfoots sites when required
• A positive attitude, strong attention to detail and commitment to safe working practices

Responsibilities

• Accurately picking and packing customer orders using handheld scanning technology
• Preparing and securely stacking orders ready for dispatch
• Loading and unloading vehicles safely and efficiently
• Operating pallet trucks and other material handling equipment to move stock throughout the warehouse
• Following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safe working practices at all times
• Maintaining high standards of food safety, quality and health & safety
• Carrying out quality and accuracy checks to ensure customers receive the correct orders first time
• Keeping work areas clean, organised and safe by following our "Clean As You Go" principles
• Reporting any hazards, incidents or equipment issues promptly
• Supporting colleagues across the warehouse to ensure daily operational targets are achieved

Skills

Warehouse/Despatch experience

English communication

Data entry

Productivity and accuracy targets

Manual handling

Counterbalance forklift licence

Food safety knowledge

Teamwork

Education

CIEH Manual Handling Level 2

Food Safety Level 2

Tools

Handheld scanning technology

Pallet trucks operation

SOP compliance tools

Job description

The Role

Looking for a hands‑on role where every shift makes a difference?

The Role

Looking for a hands‑on role where every shift makes a difference?

We're looking for a Despatch Operative to join our busy warehouse team, playing a vital part in ensuring our fresh produce reaches some of the UK's leading retailers safely, accurately and on time.

Working in a fast‑paced, supportive environment, you'll be responsible for picking, packing and loading customer orders with precision, using warehouse equipment and handheld scanning technology to keep our operation running smoothly. Every day is different, and you'll be part of a team that takes pride in delivering an outstanding service to both our internal and external customers.

This is a shift‑based position, 4 days on 4 days off. Based at our Head Office in PO21 3PX. As we handle fresh produce, you'll be working in a temperature‑controlled warehouse, and the role will involve regular manual handling and lifting.

Reporting to the Despatch Team Leader, you'll be responsible for:

• Accurately picking and packing customer orders using handheld scanning technology
• Preparing and securely stacking orders ready for dispatch
• Loading and unloading vehicles safely and efficiently
• Operating pallet trucks and other material handling equipment to move stock throughout the warehouse
• Following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safe working practices at all times
• Maintaining high standards of food safety, quality and health & safety
• Carrying out quality and accuracy checks to ensure customers receive the correct orders first time
• Keeping work areas clean, organised and safe by following our "Clean As You Go" principles
• Reporting any hazards, incidents or equipment issues promptly
• Supporting colleagues across the warehouse to ensure daily operational targets are achieved

Requirements

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who enjoys working as part of a team, takes pride in doing a job well and can remain focused in a busy warehouse environment.

Skills & Experience:

• Previous warehouse, despatch or logistics experience, ideally within FMCG or fresh food
• Good written and verbal communication skills (English Level 2 desirable)
• Experience working to productivity and accuracy targets
• Basic IT skills, including data entry and email
• A Counterbalance Forklift Licence or previous forklift experience (advantageous but not essential as training may be available)
• CIEH Manual Handling Level 2 and Food Safety Level 2 qualifications (desirable)
• A flexible approach and willingness to work across Barfoots sites when required
• A positive attitude, strong attention to detail and commitment to safe working practices

Benefits

Why Join Barfoots?

When you join Barfoots, you're joining a business that's continually investing in its people, its facilities and its future. As one of the UK's leading fresh produce businesses, we offer a supportive working environment, genuine development opportunities and a great range of employee benefits.

As part of the team, you'll benefit from:

• Investors in People Silver accredited employer
• Company pension scheme
• 24/7 Online GP access
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Benefits Platform with discounts from leading retailers
• Training and career development opportunities
• Approved Highfield Qualifications Training Centre
• Discounted leisure centre membership
• Discounted Barfoots vegetable box scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free onsite parking
• The opportunity to work for a rapidly growing business committed to sustainability — our site is powered by energy generated from our own vegetable waste