Yard Operative

Lawsons (Whetstone) Ltd; St Albans; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Online GP services

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Induction and training

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Lawsons (Whetstone) Ltd in Colney Heath is seeking a Yard Operative to receive, store and prepare goods, support the yard team with loading/unloading and maintain stock accuracy while delivering excellent customer service. You will operate forklifts and pallet trucks where trained, work outdoors in all weather, and join a busy team across yard, sales and transport to ensure smooth branch operations.

Flexibility and reliability are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in yard, warehouse or builders’ merchant environment.
• Forklift certification is essential.
• Knowledge of manual handling and safe working practices.
• Physically fit for outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Customer-focused with strong communication and professional manner.
• Reliable, punctual and flexible, including occasional early starts or Saturday cover.
• Basic IT literacy to use handheld devices and branch systems for stock checks and orders.

Responsibilities

• Receive deliveries, check against paperwork and report discrepancies.
• Unload/load vehicles safely using appropriate lifting equipment.
• Stack and organise materials in the yard and protect stock from damage.
• Prepare customer orders for collection or assist with local deliveries.
• Operate yard equipment and perform daily checks as trained.
• Maintain a clean, safe yard and manage spillages promptly.
• Assist with stock counts and accuracy checks.
• Deliver excellent on-site and over-the-counter customer service.
• Follow health and safety policies and report incidents or near misses.
• Collaborate with branch colleagues to support peak periods.

Skills

Forklift certification

Manual handling

Customer service

Teamwork

Reliability

Tools

Forklift operation

Pallet trucks

Handheld stock systems

Job description

Role Overview

We are recruiting a Yard Operative to join our Colney Heath branch. This is a hands-on, branch-based role responsible for receiving, storing and preparing goods, supporting the yard team with loading and unloading, maintaining yard and stock accuracy, and delivering excellent customer service. The successful candidate will be reliable, safety conscious and able to work as part of a busy team to ensure efficient branch operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive deliveries from suppliers, check goods against delivery paperwork and report any discrepancies to the Yard Supervisor.
• Unload and load vehicles safely using appropriate lifting equipment and manual handling techniques; assist drivers and customers with loading where required.
• Stack, store and organise materials in the yard in a safe and accessible manner, ensuring stock is protected from damage and weather where applicable.
• Prepare customer orders and hold for collection or assist with local deliveries, ensuring items are accurate and securely packed for transport.
• Operate yard equipment such as forklifts, pallet trucks and towables where trained and authorised, following company procedures and completing daily checks.
• Maintain a clean, tidy and safe yard environment by removing waste, sweeping yard areas and ensuring spillages are dealt with promptly.
• Assist with stock counts and stock accuracy checks, recording any damaged or missing items and escalating as required.
• Deliver excellent customer service to trade and retail customers on site and over the counter, assisting with enquiries and product locations.
• Adhere to company health and safety policies, use appropriate PPE, complete required risk assessments and report incidents or near misses immediately.
• Work collaboratively with branch colleagues to support peak periods, promotions and any ad-hoc tasks to maintain branch performance.

Person Specification

• Previous experience in a yard operative, warehouse or builders’ merchant environment is essential.
• Forklift (Counterbalance/Reach) certification is essential.
• Good practical knowledge of manual handling and safe working practices with a commitment to follow company procedures.
• Physically fit and able to carry out manual handling tasks and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Customer-focused with strong communication skills and a professional, courteous manner.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work flexibly to meet business needs, including occasional early starts or Saturday cover where required.
• Basic IT literacy to use handheld devices and branch systems for stock checks and order processing.
• A team player who works well with colleagues across yard, sales and transport functions to deliver safe and efficient service.

Working Hours, Salary and Benefits

• Full-time, permanent position based at our Colney Heath branch
• Typical contracted hours are Monday to Friday 07.30 - 17.00 with 1 in 2 Saturday mornings 08.00 - 12.00 to meet customer needs; flexibility is required.
• Competitive salary in line with experience (£30,175 - £32,000).
• 25 days’ holiday per year plus bank holidays and a celebration day, rising with service in line with company policy.
• Company pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to online GP services.
• Comprehensive induction, ongoing training and opportunities for career progression within the business.

Why Join Lawsons?

• Work for a well-established, family-owned company with a strong local reputation and commitment to service.
• Be part of a supportive, team-focused environment where safety and customer service are prioritised.

Develop your career through structured training and clear progression pathways.

• Play an important role in delivering outstanding service to trade and retail customers in Colney Heath and the surrounding area.

Lawsons is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. If you are reliable, safety-focused and take pride in delivering excellent service, we would like to hear from you. #MP