Yard Operative

Lawsons (Whetstone) Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Life Assurance / Death in Service

My Reward benefits platform

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and career progression

Job summary

Lawsons is seeking a Yard Operative for our New Malden branch in London. The role supports day-to-day yard operations, assists trade and retail customers, and prepares orders for collection or delivery.

Ideal candidates have experience in yard/merchant environments, knowledge of landscaping materials, and a practical, safety-minded approach. The role includes loading duties, stock checks, and collaboration with sales and delivery teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in yard operations or related trade environment is essential.
• Knowledge of landscaping products and building materials is essential.
• Friendly, customer-focused and able to work with trade and retail customers.
• Physically able to handle materials and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Organised with the ability to manage priorities in a busy yard.
• Accurate in picking, checking and preparing orders.
• Reliable, punctual and willing to support colleagues across yard and delivery operations.
• Willing to learn about products, systems and safe working procedures.
• Basic computer skills desirable; forklift/counterbalance licence desirable (training may be provided).
• Good understanding of health and safety practice and safe working methods.
• Full driving licence desirable.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and assist trade and retail customers in the yard in a friendly and professional manner.
• Pick, check, load and prepare customer orders accurately for collection or delivery.
• Assist with the safe loading and unloading of customer and company vehicles.
• Move, handle and store landscaping products, building materials, tools and supplies safely.
• Support stock management including stock checks, replenishment and storage of materials.
• Work with counter sales, transport and administration to ensure orders are accurate and complete.
• Maintain yard, warehouse and loading areas to a clean, organised standard.
• Operate forklifts and other yard equipment when trained and authorised.
• Check products for accuracy, quality and damage before collection or dispatch.
• Report stock discrepancies and hazards promptly to colleagues.
• Provide cover across yard and trade counter during busy periods.
• Maintain accurate stock movement records using company systems.

Skills

Yard operations

Stock handling

Customer service

Forklift operation

Basic computer skills

Driving licence

Tools

Forklift licence

Job description

About Lawsons

Lawsons is a specialist supplier of landscaping products, building materials and associated services to trade and retail customers. We are committed to providing quality products, expert advice and excellent customer service through our knowledgeable team and well-stocked yard.

About Lawsons

Lawsons is a specialist supplier of landscaping products, building materials and associated services to trade and retail customers. We are committed to providing quality products, expert advice and excellent customer service through our knowledgeable team and well-stocked yard.

Role Overview

We are recruiting a Yard Operative to join our New Malden branch. This is a practical, hands-on role supporting the day-to-day operation of the yard and branch. The successful candidate will assist trade and retail customers, pick and prepare orders, load and unload vehicles, maintain stock and yard standards, and help ensure materials are safely prepared for collection or delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Welcome and assist trade and retail customers in the yard in a friendly and professional manner.
• Pick, check, load and prepare customer orders accurately for collection or delivery.
• Assist with the safe loading and unloading of customer and company vehicles.
• Move, handle and store landscaping products, building materials, tools and associated supplies safely.
• Support stock management activities, including stock checks, replenishment, product availability and the safe storage of materials.
• Work closely with counter sales, transport and administration colleagues to ensure orders are accurate and completed as agreed.
• Maintain the yard, warehouse, loading areas and surrounding premises to a clean, organised and professional standard.
• Operate forklifts and other yard equipment where trained and authorised to do so.
• Check products and orders for accuracy, quality and visible damage before collection or dispatch.
• Assist customers with loading materials safely and provide practical support within the yard.
• Report damaged stock, stock discrepancies, equipment issues and potential hazards promptly to the appropriate colleague.
• Support general branch duties during busy periods and provide cover across the yard and trade counter when required.
• Maintain accurate records of stock movements, customer collections and deliveries using company systems.
• Comply with company policies and procedures, including health and safety, manual handling, vehicle and yard safety, data protection and customer service standards.

Person Specification

• Previous experience in yard operations, warehouse work, builders’ merchanting, landscaping supply, logistics or a related trade environment is essential.
• Knowledge of landscaping products, building materials or associated trade supplies is essential.
• Friendly, approachable and customer-focused, with the ability to work positively with trade and retail customers.
• Practical and physically able to handle and move landscaping and building materials safely.
• Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions and carrying out active yard-based duties.
• Organised and able to manage competing priorities in a busy yard environment.
• Accurate when picking, checking, storing and preparing customer orders.
• Reliable, punctual and willing to support colleagues across the yard, sales counter and delivery operation.
• Willing to learn about the company’s products, services, systems and safe working procedures.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to use stock or order management systems, are desirable.
• Forklift or counterbalance licence is desirable, although training may be provided for the right candidate.
• Good understanding of workplace health and safety and a commitment to maintaining safe working practices.
• Full driving licence is desirable.

Working Hours, Salary and Benefits

• Working hours are Monday - Friday 07.30 -17.00, plus 1 in 2 Saturdays 08.00 - 17.00
• Competitive salary £30,175
• 25 days holiday entitlement plus UK Bank Holidays and an additional celebration day.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life Assurance / Death in Service.
• My Reward benefits platform, including retail discounts, wellbeing support and Online GP access.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Training, development and genuine career progression.
• Supportive, team-focused working environment.

Why Join Lawsons in New Malden?

• Join a specialist supplier serving trade and retail customers across the landscaping and building materials sectors.
• Work in a varied role combining customer service, stock handling, order preparation and practical yard operations.
• Build your product knowledge and develop valuable operational, customer service and materials-handling skills.
• Work with an experienced team in a friendly and practical environment.
• Play an important part in ensuring customers receive the right products safely and efficiently.

Lawsons is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. If you are a reliable, practical individual who enjoys working outdoors and supporting customers and colleagues in a busy yard environment, we would like to hear from you. #LP