Counterbalance Forklift Driver

Counterbalance Forklift Driver - Chilled Warehouse (Tewkesbury)

Experience, qualification, and soft skills, have you got everything required to succeed in this opportunity Find out below.

New state-of-the-art chilled warehouse

• Modern electric FLTs
• Clear progression pathways
  
  

Employer: Cotteswold Dairy (family-owned since 1938)

Department: Chilled Warehouse

Location: Tewkesbury Depot, GL20 8JE

Hours: Minimum 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7 on a shift rota (Mon–Sat working patterns may apply)

Shift Times: Multiple start times from 05:00

Overtime: Paid at 1.25x after 40 hours

What you get from this job

If you’re looking for a stable, hands-on role where you’ll be supported, developed, and given real opportunities to progress, this is it. You’ll join our Chilled Warehouse team at our modern Tewkesbury site, working with the latest electric forklift trucks and structured processes designed to help you work safely, smoothly and confidently.

Why you’ll enjoy working here

• Brand-new facilities: work in a modern chilled warehouse, glass fridge and loading bay environment with updated layouts and safety systems

Modern fleet: electric trucks with pre-use check systems, card-based operator access, heated cabs/seats and strong visibility features

Training & development: refresher FLT/PPT training, NVQs and our in-house development programme through the Cotteswold Academy

Career progression: clear pathways into Team Leader, Warehouse Supervisor and wider distribution roles

A team that supports you: you’ll work closely with Team Leaders, Supervisors, Production and Distribution to keep goods moving safely and on time

What you’ll be doing

This is a key role in our distribution chain, linking production with the transport team and helping ensure customer orders are prepared accurately and loaded safely. You’ll work across areas including the chilled warehouse, glass fridge, factory floor and external loading bays, supporting the flow of products to wholesale customers and outlying depots. This is a physical, temperature-controlled environment and requires a high level of accuracy and pride in doing things right.

Key responsibilities

• Operate counterbalance FLT to safely check, transport, load and unload goods across chilled warehouse and loading areas

Accurately pick and prepare customer orders using order tickets / instructions

Complete stock rotation and replenishment to keep product flowing and reduce waste

Support safe vehicle loading: check orders are present, correctly placed, constrained and secured for travel

Maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment (warehouse and yard areas)

Follow food hygiene and health & safety rules at all times; report incidents promptly and support investigations when required

Work collaboratively across departments to meet deadlines and keep distribution running smoothly

About You

• Valid Counterbalance Forklift Licence (renewed within the last 3 years)
• Experience operating FLT in a warehouse, distribution, FMCG, chilled food or food production environment
• Strong attention to detail, good numeracy and a methodical approach
• Reliable, flexible and positive – able to work to tight deadlines and shift patterns
• Confident communicator who can work well independently and as part of a wider team
  
  

Desirable: dairy/FMCG experience, knowledge xlqdzyr of safe working practices, PPT experience

Additional information

• Manual handling is required and strict hygiene standards apply

Jewellery/cosmetics restrictions apply in production areas (only a single solid wedding band permitted; no earrings/bracelets/necklaces; no strong perfumes/deodorants; no make-up in production areas)

Due to early shift start times, you must have reliable transport to the Tewkesbury site

You will be asked to upload your forklift licence as part of the application process

Team Cotteswold benefits

• Competitive salary with overtime opportunities
• 30 days holiday allowance that increases with length of service
• Refer-a-friend bonus scheme (£500 per referral)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted products and delivery options
• Aviva pension (4% employee, 4.5% employer contributions)
• Health and wellbeing support through Simply Health (claim back eligible medical costs)
  
  

How to apply

Click Apply and submit your CV. We review applications as they arrive and may close the vacancy early if we find the right candidates