Warehouse Operative (Reach Driver) AM Shift

Blakemore Trade Partners; Bedford; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package including

Early wage access

Cycle-to-work scheme

Wellbeing support

Company pension (NEST)

Life insurance

Extra holidays through purchase scheme

Long service awards

Job summary

Blakemore Trade Partners is seeking a Warehouse Operative/FLT Driver for the Bedford depot (MK41 7BJ). The role covers picking, replenishment and loading of customer orders in a temperature-controlled environment.

You will work an AM shift 6am-2pm, 40 hours per week on a 5-out-of-7 rota (including weekends). Desirable licenses include Counterbalance and/or VNA, with an enhanced rate for freezer environment work.

Qualifications

• Numerate and literate.
• Warehousing and distribution experience.
• Ability to work efficiently in a cold environment.
• Desirable: freezer environment experience with £1.24ph premium.
• Desirable: Counterbalance and/or VNA licence.

Responsibilities

• Accurate and systematic replenishment of picking fixtures.
• Accurate labelling / re-labelling of all bulk storage pallets.
• Adhering to stock rotational procedures.
• Transfer of bulk stock from goods inwards to correct picking fixture / bulk storage area.
• Accurate recording of stock movements onto bulk storage systems or on manual documents.
• Accurate assembly of customers' orders.
• Picking and loading goods onto cages/pallets safely.
• Adhering to stock rotational procedures.
• Performing duties within other warehouse functions as needed.
• Accurate marking and storage of assembled orders awaiting dispatch.
• Loading customer orders onto company vehicles.
• Distributing drivers’ run-sheets, documentation and vehicle keys on completion of loading.
• Preparing vehicles prior to loading.

Skills

Numerate and literate

Warehousing and distribution

Cold environment

Freezer environment experience

Counterbalance licence

VNA licence

Job description

Job Advert

Warehouse Operative (Reach Driver) AM Shift - Bedford Depot

AM Shift - 6am - 2pm

40 hours per week on a 5 out of 7 day rota (including weekends)

Temperature-controlled (4°C) environment

90% performance £13.77 per hour

100% performance £15.23 per hour

110% performance £16.69 per hour

120% performance £18.15 per hour

(all inclusive of £0.63ph FLT allowance)

As a Warehouse Operative/FLT Driver in Bedford (MK41 7BJ), you will play a crucial role in the accurate and efficient replenishment, ferrying and bulk storage control within the depot. You will also, when FLT activities are not required, undertake normal Warehouse Operative activities such as the assembly and/or loading of customers' orders. We are seeking motivated, friendly, hard-working individuals who thrive in a dynamic work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Accurate and systematic replenishment of picking fixtures
• Accurate labelling / re-labelling of all bulk storage pallets
• Adhering to stock rotational procedures
• Transfer of bulk stock from the goods inwards area into correct picking fixture / bulk storage area
• Accurate recording of all stock movements onto the bulk storage systems or onto supplementary manual bulk storage document
• Accurate assembly of customers' orders
• Picking and loading goods onto cages/pallets in a safe and manageable manner
• Adhering to stock rotational procedures
• Performing accurate and efficient duties within other warehouse functions
• Accurate marking and storage of assembled orders awaiting dispatch
• The accurate loading of customer orders onto company vehicles
• Ensuring that drivers’ run-sheets, documentation and vehicle keys are distributed correctly on completion of loading
• The preparation of vehicles prior to loading

Some Key Knowledge, Skills, Experience And Qualifications Required

• Essential
  • Numerate and literate
  • Warehousing and distribution experience
  • Ability to work efficiently in a cold environment
• Desirable
  • Ability to work in a freezer environment, earning an extra £1.24ph premium.
  • Counterbalance and/or VNA licence

What We Offer

• Competitive benefits package including holiday, maternity, and paternity leave above statutory requirements
• Career development opportunities in a diverse and supportive environment
• Extensive training and development programs
• Paid breaks
• Early access to wages through 'EarlyPay'
• 24/7 access to payslips and rotas via HR/payroll portal
• Wellbeing support, including counselling, financial advice, and legal assistance
• Company pension scheme (NEST)
• Life insurance: 1x annual salary or 6x annual salary with company pension scheme
• Extra holidays through purchase scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Long service awards

About Us

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, a family-owned business established in 1917, has grown into one of the UK's largest privately-owned companies. With over 260 SPAR convenience stores and more than 7,000 employees, our business is built on a passion for food and drink, with divisions in retail, food service, and wholesale distribution. We're constantly innovating to stay ahead in the convenience retail industry.

An Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to creating a fair and inclusive workplace for everyone. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the role’s minimum criteria.

Contract type

Permanent

Hours

40 hours per week including weekends on rota basis

Salary

£15.23 per standard hour (£13.77 - £18.15)

Closing date for applications

17th September, 2026