Works Operative

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced works operative for its despatch team in Leeds. The role involves safely handling and packing products and requires a counterbalance forklift licence. Candidates should have warehouse despatch experience, preferably in FMCG or food-grade environments, and be physically fit. Benefits include 23 days annual leave, a pension scheme, private healthcare, and additional perks. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

Benefits

Bonus scheme

23 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Defined contribution pension scheme

Life assurance

Private healthcare

Free on-site parking

On-site canteen

Company events

Cycle to work scheme

Free flu vaccinations

Health & wellbeing programme

Sick pay

Qualifications

• Forklift licence (in-date) required for safe operation.
• Experience in FMCG, chemicals, or food-grade environments preferred.
• Ability to accurately interpret work orders and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Pick, pack, palletise, and label orders according to requirements.
• Prepare export documentation and create despatch documentation.
• Maintain a clean and organized workplace following 5S standards.

Skills

Counterbalance Forklift licence

Attention to detail

Good numeracy and literacy

Warehouse / Despatch experience

Experience with ERP / WMS systems

Physical fitness for manual handling

Tools

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Job description

A great opportunity has arisen for an experienced, motivated works operative to join the despatch team, supporting the safe handling, packing, and shipment products for a world renowned manufacturer.

Key Responsibilities

• Pick, pack, palletise, and label orders in line with customer and carrier requirements.
• Book transport and create despatch documentation (courier bookings, labels, manifests).
• Prepare export documentation as required (commercial invoices, packing lists, SDS references).
• Load / unload vehicles safely using forklift trucks (where licensed).
• Support internal audits and corrective actions.
• Operate ERP / warehouse systems for booking, issuing, and inventory movements.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised workplace using 5S standards.
• Follow SOPs and risk assessments (COSHH, manual handling, PPE).
• Report hazards, incidents, and near misses; contribute to continuous improvement.
• Safely operate material handling equipment and adhere to site traffic management rules.
• Work closely with Production, Quality, Customer Service, and Logistics.
• Support training of colleagues and participate in cross-functional problem-solving.

Beneficial Skills / Experience

• Counterbalance Forklift licence (in-date) and confident, safe operation.
• Warehouse / Despatch experience, ideally in FMCG, chemicals, or food-grade environments.
• Experience with ERP / WMS systems (e.g., booking stock, picking lists, despatch modules).
• Strong attention to detail; accurate data entry and documentation.
• Good numeracy and literacy; able to interpret work orders, labels, and specifications.
• Physically fit and comfortable with manual handling (with appropriate aids provided).
• Basic understanding of export / logistics.

Additional Details

Full-time position : 35 hours per week

Schedule : Monday to Friday, 8 :30 AM - 4 :30 PM

• Bonus scheme
• 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays and additional time off at Christmas
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Private healthcare
• Free on-site parking
• On-site canteen
• Company events
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free flu vaccinations
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Sick pay