Waste Transfer Station Plant Operative

Quest Employment; Leicester; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Quest Employment is seeking a Waste Transfer Station Plant Operative to join a busy site in Whetstone, Leicester. The role focuses on operating heavy mobile plant and handling waste materials in an outdoor environment, with a pay rate of £14.50 per hour and a 5‑day week.

You will be responsible for loading and bulking waste, operating the weighbridge, and ensuring safety and documentation are maintained. A full UK driving licence is required for the role.

Qualifications

• Experience in a waste, recycling, logistics or similar operational environment.
• Experience operating loading shovels, telehandlers or forklift trucks.
• Relevant plant or forklift qualifications.
• Strong understanding of health and safety in a busy outdoor setting.
• Ability to work outdoors in a physically demanding environment.
• Good communication skills and a customer-focused approach.
• Basic IT skills and ability to complete site documentation.
• Reliable, flexible and team-focused attitude.

Responsibilities

• Operate mobile plant including loading shovels, telehandlers, backhoe loaders and forklift trucks.
• Handle, move and segregate waste and recyclables.
• Load and bulk waste for onward transportation.
• Check incoming waste and support safe site operations.
• Operate weighbridge and complete documentation.
• Assist with vehicle and traffic management around the site.
• Carry out daily plant checks and basic cleaning/maintenance.
• Report defects, incidents or operational issues.
• Support colleagues and undertake general site duties.
• Maintain high health and safety standards at all times.
• Provide professional service to customers and contractors.

Skills

Waste/recycling experience

Operate loading shovels

Operate telehandlers/forklifts

Plant/forklift qualifications

Health & safety awareness

Outdoor physical work

Communication skills

Basic IT & site documentation

Reliable, flexible & team-focused

Job description

Waste Transfer Station Plant Operative

£14.50 per hour | Whetstone, Leicester (LE8) | 5 days per week

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Waste Transfer Station Plant Operative to join a busy operational site in Whetstone, Leicester.

This is a hands‑on role suited to someone with experience operating heavy plant, particularly a loading shovel, telehandler or forklift, who is comfortable working in a busy outdoor environment.

What you'll be doing

• Operating mobile plant including loading shovels, telehandlers, backhoe loaders and forklift trucks

• Handling, moving and segregating waste and recyclable materials

• Loading and bulking waste for onward transportation

• Checking incoming waste and supporting the safe operation of the site

• Operating a weighbridge and completing relevant documentation

• Assisting with vehicle and traffic management around the site

• Carrying out daily plant checks and basic cleaning/maintenance

• Reporting defects, incidents or operational issues

• Supporting colleagues across the site and undertaking general operational duties

• Maintaining high standards of health and safety at all times

• Providing a professional and helpful service to customers and contractors

What we're looking for

We're particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Previous experience in a waste, recycling, logistics, construction or similar operational environment

• Experience operating loading shovels, telehandlers or forklift trucks

• Relevant plant or forklift qualifications

• A good understanding of workplace health and safety

• The ability to work outdoors in a physically demanding environment

• Good communication skills and a customer-focused approach

• Basic IT skills and the ability to complete site documentation

• A reliable, flexible and team-focused attitude

A full UK driving licence is required for the role.

Relevant qualifications such as Telehandler, Loading Shovel, Forklift Truck or WAMITAB would be advantageous.

The role

Location: Whetstone, Leicester, LE8
Pay rate: £14.50 per hour
Working pattern: 5 days per week
Environment: Busy waste transfer/recycling operation

The role may involve weekend, bank holiday or occasional out-of-hours working, depending on operational requirements.

Why apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced plant operative to secure ongoing work within a busy waste and recycling environment, with the opportunity to use and develop your plant operating skills.

If you have the relevant plant experience and are available for work in Whetstone, apply today.