AO - Warehouse Operative

Ministry of Justice; United States; Hybrid; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Justice is seeking a dependable Warehouse Operative for the National Distribution Centre. The role involves unloading, palletising, stock checks, and operating MHE after training.

You will work within a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines and may be required to work overtime or weekends. Hybrid working arrangements are available where business needs allow, with core site presence in the UK.

Qualifications

• This role is physically demanding and requires the ability to perform repetitive lifting and manual handling.
• You will work with Mechanical Handling Equipment after training and obtain necessary licences.
• Flexibility to work additional hours including weekends and respond to business needs.

Responsibilities

• Unloading vehicles and containers and stacking/packing goods.
• Operate forklift/other MHE and ensure safe handling of stock.
• Conduct daily pre-shift checks and complete paperwork accurately.
• Maintain stock accuracy through picking, scanning and inventory checks.
• Follow safety procedures and contribute to a clean, safe working environment.

Job description

The provision of first line servicing for the National Distribution Centre (NDC) fleet of heavy and light commercial vehicles, the workshop also provides support to the wider MoJ fleet. The team designs, develops and carries out vehicle conversions for HMPPS tactical units based on their requirements. They are also responsible for managing all vehicles as they enter and leave the fleet. Before a vehicle is disposed of, the team carries out inspections and removes any sensitive equipment. They also inspect vehicles returned to Branston to decide if they can be reused instead of issuing a new one. If a vehicle can be reused, the team assesses its condition, identifies and costs any parts needed, and once agreed with the unit carries out repairs to ensure the vehicle is safe, roadworthy and meets legal standards. National Distribution Centre (NDC) Manages the collection, storage and delivery of goods. These include manufactured items, raw materials, prisoner property, mattresses, footwear, and a small amount of document storage. The site also supports other MoJ activities when needed. The warehouse is a modern 135,000 sq. ft. facility with high storage capacity. It can hold up to 16,500 pallets in both wide and narrow aisles, along with around 6,000 sq. ft. of office space. The NDC operates its own fleet of 22 vehicles, providing around 500 scheduled deliveries each month. Deliveries are made across the prison estate nationwide, operating five days a week on a single shift, with overnight stays when required. Transport Unit Provides transport management services for the Ministry of Justice. It also manages a specialist vehicle workshop in Branston, supported by engineering and administrative staff. The unit's main responsibilities include developing transport policies, providing technical advice, and managing both Crown Indemnity Insurance and commercial insurance requirements.

The contracted hours will be:

• Monday to Thursday: 0800hrs to 1600hrs
• Friday: 0800hrs to 1530hrs

We are looking for a dependable and hardworking Warehouse Operatives to join our team. This role is ideal for individuals who take pride in their work, physically fit, and thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. This is a manual role and can be physically demanding. It will involve repetitive light, medium or occasionally heavy lifting, including regular bending. The job holder will need to be flexible and respond to the needs of the business, working in other departments when requested, including additional hours (if required) and supporting other departments when and where necessary. The contracted hours will be Monday to Thursday 0800hrs - 1600hrs and Friday 0800hrs - 1530hrs. On occasions, you might be required to work weekends and some days overtime dependant on the demands of the NDC. The job holder will require basic knowledge/skills to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post and will be required to undertake specific training in these work areas. Full training/guidance will be given on all duties as necessary.

Key Responsibilities

General Tasks

• Report to Warehouse Team Leader at the start of the shift
• Conduct daily pre-shift checks on mechanical handling equipment and complete associated paperwork. Report all defects to your team leader immediately
• Daily Operation of MHE as required by the Team Leader or Supervisor
• Unloading vehicles and containers
• Palletising, banding, and shrink wrapping of stock
• Accurately completing check of all incoming goods and undertake all necessary goods inwards inspection procedures
• Use of Keyboard, handheld scanners, data entry screens and other hand held tools.
• Locate stock, undertake stock transfers and picking area replenishments
• Pick, check, inspect and pack customer orders
• Marshalling goods to appropriate area of the warehouse by correct selection, use, and safe operation of forklift trucks, and other handling equipment
• Follow correct 'On Charge / Off Charge' procedures for charging of Mechanical Handling Equipment batteries
• Loading goods for despatch, completing vehicle checks, and making effective use of vehicle space
• Stacking, assembly, and disassembly, of wooden pallets and metal stillages
• Report all stock discrepancies, equipment faults, defects or malfunctions, and stock or equipment damage immediately to a Team Leader
• Doing stock counts and inventory checks when required
• General housekeeping, and cleaning of areas and equipment
• Collection and disposal of waste as required. To Support the site operations during periods of adverse weather e.g. snow and ice clearance
• Work to strict daily deadlines, to ensure that all customer orders are prepared and completed on time and all goods received are unloaded, inspected and located to the highest standards.
• Maintain paperwork and ensure documents are updated and correct processes followed
• To work efficiently and effectively as part of a team, supporting the business in the achievement of its key targets and performance standards

Health, Safety and Welfare

• Report hazards. Support the Warehouse Manager in creating a safe working environment for staff, visitors, and contractors by adhering to Health and Safety legislation, ensuring Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) and Risk Assessments (RA) are followed, and by reporting any incidents to a Warehouse Team Leader.

Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE)

The job holder will be frequently required to operate Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) on the site, after successful completion of suitable training and assessment. Operators must be qualified and hold licences before being permitted to operate the following types of MHE: Low Level Order Picking Truck, Powered Pallet Truck, Pedestrian Operated Stacker Truck, Floor Sweeping Machine, Floor Scrubbing Machine, High Level Reach Forklift Truck, Counter Balance Forklift Truck, High Level Narrow Aisle (Man Up) Forklift Truck. Any training for MHE will be provided. The duties listed are not exhaustive. The job holder should be willing to take on reasonable changes and additional tasks of a similar level when needed. Training will be provided where required.

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO