Yard Shunter

Quest Employment; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Quest Employment are recruiting for a Warehouse Operative - Yard Shunter to support operations within a busy contract logistics environment. The successful candidate will move trailers safely around the yard and onto loading bays, ensuring accurate positioning for loading and efficient yard flow.

A temporary role with potential permanent progression. Hours are Sunday to Thursday, 2:00pm–10:00pm, with flexibility to support warehouse operations as required.

Qualifications

• Essential: LGV Class 1 shunter licence.
• Experience in a yard, driving or warehouse environment.
• Strong awareness of health and safety in yard environments.

Responsibilities

• Move trailers safely between yard locations, staging areas and loading bays.
• Position trailers accurately onto bays for loading and unloading.
• Remove loaded trailers and reposition them as required.
• Maintain yard layout clear and organised to support operational flow.
• Operate safely in line with site procedures and rules.

Skills

Health and safety awareness

Trailer manoeuvring

Teamwork

Manual dexterity

Education

LGV Class 1 shunter licence

Basic numeracy and literacy

Job description

Location: Derby
Pay Rate:To be confirmed
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 2:00pm 10:00pm
Contract: Temp to Perm

Quest Employment are recruiting for a Warehouse Operative - Yard Shunter to support operations within a busy contract logistics environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe and efficient movement of trailers around the yard and onto or off loading bays. This role is essential in supporting inbound and outbound operations, maintaining yard flow, improving operational efficiency, and helping ensure trailers are positioned correctly for on-time dispatch and receipt performance.

A key part of this position is flexibility. When yard activity is low, you will be expected to support warehouse operations to help maintain overall site productivity.

Job Purpose

The main purpose of the role is to safely manage trailer movements within the yard while supporting warehouse operations when required to ensure efficient site performance.

Key Responsibilities

Trailer Movements & Yard Management

• Move trailers safely between yard locations, staging areas and loading bays
• Position trailers accurately onto bays for loading and unloading
• Remove loaded trailers from bays and reposition them as required
• Keep the yard layout clear and organised to support operational flow

Safety & Compliance

• Operate shunter vehicles in line with all safety procedures and site rules
• Follow safe systems of work for trailer coupling, uncoupling and bay movements
• Complete pre-use vehicle checks and report any defects immediately
• Maintain full awareness of pedestrians, vehicles and hazards within the yard

Yard Checks & Equipment Control

• Ensure trailers are secure, roadworthy and correctly chocked when parked
• Monitor bay availability and communicate effectively with warehouse and transport teams
• Ensure trailer allocation is aligned with loading priorities and schedules

Operational Coordination

• Work closely with transport, gatehouse and warehouse teams to manage trailer flow
• Respond to real-time operational demands and prioritise trailer movements accordingly
• Escalate delays, issues or risks that may impact site performance

Flexibility & Warehouse Support

• Support warehouse operations during periods of low yard activity
• Carry out loading, unloading, picking, packing or general warehouse duties as required
• Move flexibly between yard and warehouse tasks depending on business needs

Quality & Efficiency

• Ensure all trailer movements support efficient turnaround times
• Minimise delays and support on-time departure and receipt targets
• Maintain accuracy with trailer allocation and bay positioning

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve yard flow and efficiency
• Support best practice across yard management and safety procedures

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

Essential

• LGV Class 1 shunter licence
• Basic level of education, including numeracy and literacy
• Experience in a yard, driving or warehouse environment
• Experience operating vehicles safely in operational environments
• Strong awareness of health and safety in yard environments
• Ability to manoeuvre trailers safely and accurately
• Good spatial awareness and risk assessment skills
• Ability to work flexibly across different tasks
• Clear communication with multiple stakeholders
• Reliable and disciplined approach to safety
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Desirable

• Previous shunter or yard management experience
• Experience in logistics or distribution centres
• Knowledge of transport and loading processes
• Ability to coordinate and prioritise activities in a fast-paced yard environment

Other Information

• This is a temporary role with a temp to perm opportunity
• Pay rate is to be confirmed
• Role is primarily yard-based and involves working outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Strict adherence to health and safety procedures is required, particularly around vehicles and trailer movements
• High levels of flexibility are required, including supporting warehouse operations when yard demand is low
• The role may involve shift work, including nights and weekends
• This position is critical to safe yard operations, efficient trailer flow and overall site performance