Wharf Operative

FM Conway Ltd; Erith; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

23 days holiday plus bank holidays

Life assurance

Healthcare

Car allowance

Training opportunities

Discounts via Rewarding Great People

Health & well-being benefits

Mental health support

Job summary

FM Conway Ltd at the Erith Asphalt Plant is seeking a Wharf Operative to join a days and nights shift. The role focuses on the receiving, storing and distribution of raw materials for asphalt production, working within a small, experienced team.

You will unload vessels, manage ship-to-shore discharge, and maintain equipment, while adhering to safety and housekeeping standards across the dockside operations.

Qualifications

• Experience with heavy plant machinery and hydraulic systems.
• Understanding of dockside operations, crane use and working at height.
• Valid dock crane and skidsteer tickets are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Unload marine vessels using our material re-handler crane and skidsteer mobile plant.
• Operate ship-to-shore discharge system to ensure material goes into the correct bays.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping on site.
• Board vessels on arrival to act as FM Conway’s shipping agency when requested.
• Work from height and around water to access vessels safely.
• Perform preventive and reactive maintenance to the site and ship-to-shore system.

Skills

Heavy plant machinery

Hydraulic systems

Dockside operations

Crane operation

Working at height

Conveyor systems

Skidsteer ticket

Dock crane ticket

Job description

FM Conway is looking to recruit a Wharf Operative based at our Erith Asphalt Plant. This role offers you the opportunity to work at the forefront of materials handling and infrastructure delivery. As a Wharf Operative, you will play a critical role in the receiving, storing, and distribution of raw materials, which are essential for our asphalt manufacturing process. This is a full-time, permanent position, working days and nights, within a collaborative and experienced team.

The duties of the Wharf Operative role will include:

• Unloading of marine vessels using our material re-handler crane and skidsteer mobile plant
• Operating our ship to shore discharge system to ensure material goes in the right bays
• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping
• Boarding vessel upon arrival, to act as FM Conway’s shipping agency upon request
• Working from height and above water to safely be able to board each vessel is critical for this task
• Carrying out preventative and reactive maintenance to the site and ship to shore system

We are seeking a self-motivated and reliable individual who thrives in a small team environment. Ideally, you will have solid experience working with heavy plant machinery, including hydraulic systems, along with a good understanding of dockside operations such as crane use, working at height around vessels, and the operation of conveyor systems. Possession of a valid dock crane and/or material re-handler ticket as well as a skidsteer ticket is highly desirable.

What benefits will you receive?

• Career and professional development
• 23 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Life assurance
• Healthcare
• A car allowance
• Opportunities for internal and external training
• Access to a wide range of shopping discounts through our Rewarding Great People platform
• A range of health and well-being benefits including 24-hour advice lines
• Support from our in-house mental health first aiders

A brief introduction to FM Conway and our Aggregate and Asphalt Division

FM Conway is a business of families with over 60 years' experience of creating sustainable and innovative transportation solutions. We pride ourselves on our core values, creating a culture around Care, Innovation, Integrity and Excellence. As a family business, the heart of FM Conway has, and always will be, its great people and we are always searching for talented individuals to join our family.

Our Aggregate and Asphalt division manufactures a range of high-quality products that can be adapted to suit the specific needs of our customers. We recycle highways arising at our unique static crushing, washing and grading plants. The Recycled Asphalt Product (RAP) is used in our local asphalt plants to supply construction sites across London and Southern England. You will be joining a thriving team who are committed to our vision and continued investment in our self-delivery model.

Closing Date: 01/10/2026

FM Conway is an award-winning equal opportunities employer. We recognise that our workforce should reflect our diverse communities and we are proudly committed to creating an inclusive culture in which we celebrate and value individuals from all walks of life.

EDI-Strategy

At our heart we are a family that recognises and embraces individuality, so if you are excited about this role but you are unsure if you meet all of the criteria, you may still be the right candidate for this or another role we are recruiting for.