Warehouse Despatch Operative

Barfoots Limited; Chichester; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Online GP access

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted Barfoots veg box scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Barfoots Limited is seeking a hands-on Despatch Operative to join our busy warehouse team. You will pick, pack and load orders with precision using handheld scanners in a temperature-controlled environment.

The role requires manual handling and lifting, with a 4 days on/4 days off shift pattern at our Head Office site in PO21 3PX. You will work as part of a supportive team, following SOPs, ensuring food safety, accuracy and timely dispatch to UK retailers.

Qualifications

• Experience in warehouse, despatch or logistics role.
• Good written and verbal English.
• Experience hitting productivity and accuracy targets.
• Basic IT/data entry skills.
• Counterbalance forklift licence is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Accurately pick and pack customer orders using handheld scanning.
• Prepare and stack orders for dispatch.
• Load and unload vehicles safely and efficiently.
• Operate pallet trucks and material handling equipment.
• Follow SOPs and safe working practices at all times.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and quality.
• Carry out quality checks to ensure correct orders.
• Keep areas clean, organized and safe.
• Report hazards or equipment issues promptly.
• Support colleagues to achieve daily targets.

Skills

Team player

Communication skills

Productivity targets

Basic IT skills

Forklift experience

Food safety awareness

Attention to detail

Manual handling

Flexible across sites

Education

Food Safety Level 2

Tools

Pallet trucks

Handheld scanner

Job description

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.

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.

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.