Overview
The department and team
apetito is the UK's leading supplier of food and catering solutions to care homes, local authorities & hospitals and the transport and distribution area of the business is a critically important part of our supply chain.
Our drivers are the key link between our business and the customers we work with; ensuring our work is delivered professionally, efficiently and on time.
As a professional driver, this role represents a chance to join a growing and forward-thinking business as an ambassador for apetito delivering our finished frozen food product to Care Homes, Local Authorities, Hospitals and our Wiltshire Farm Foods franchisees.In this critical role you must be prepared to drive to different geographical locations and manage a demanding delivery schedule - our customers depend on our food and we depend on you.
Additionally, you will need to ensure that you provide fantastic customer service as the face of apetito
The transport and distribution area of the business is a critical and important part of the supply chain.Our main base is Portbury near Bristol, but we also have staff at our out base depots in the following locations; Stanmore, Gillingham, South Kirkby, St Helens and Motherwell in Scotland.
Who we are
We're the leading food producer for the health and social care sector, providing delicious, nutritious and sustainable meals for people at home or in care.
We're also the parent company of Wiltshire Farm Foods, the UK's premier home-delivery service for ready-made meals.
Through our wide range of well-presented, nutritious meals to suit every taste and dietary need, we aim to make a real difference to lives of elderly and vulnerable people in care.
We're proud to be a Living Wage employer and member of the Ethical Trading Initiative. We support British food and farming and operate a successful programme of waste reduction and resource efficiency across our whole business.
In addition to your salary you will receive a comprehensive training program,33 days annual leave holiday entitlement, the ability to buy additional annual leave, retail discounts, free car parking, free turkey (or voucher) at Christmas and much more!
Who we are
apetito is the UK's leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.
Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.
Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK's largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.
Responsibilities
1. Undertake pre & post trip vehicle inspections to ensure road worthiness
2. Full compliance with drivers' hours, tachographs and road traffic regulations.
3. Driving style - damage free and economical.
4. Be an ambassador of the company.
5. Undertake minor vehicle service activity such as cleaning and refuelling of both vehicle and refrigerated
6. Maintenance of a clean vehicle both internally and externally.
7. Delivery and collection of vehicles as required to rental suppliers including any due inspections
8. Inspection of hire vehicles pre and post rental
9. Actively participate in a daily debrief process, working with your supervisor to identify safety, service and operational improvements as and when they arise
10. Supervise and assist with loading activities at the Cross dock sites.
About you
Essential:
11. 2-3 years full time C+E driving experience
12. Customer Service experience
13. Full Class C+E Licence
14. Excellent understanding of Drivers hours regulations, working time directive and tachographs
15. Good operational knowledge of modern commercial vehicles
16. Good geographical knowledge of UK
17. Driver CPC
Desirable:
18. Clean driving license
19. Temperature Control Transport
20. Experience of multi drop deliveries
21. Experience of operating tail lifts & double deck trailers
22. Experience of working with wheeled delivery equipment
Personal Qualities
23. Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills at all levels towards both customers and colleagues
24. Able to juggle the demands of a busy schedule, traffic conditions and other road users with safety, customer service and time / efficiency targets
25. Must be calm under pressure
26. High standard of personal presentation to uphold the company brand, including uniform / vehicle cleanliness
27. Flexible and responsive to business needs e.g. if required to complete a different route/start at different time on occasions
28. Must be physically active due to the nature and demands of the role; for example dealing with heavy goods and moving loaded dollies over uneven ground
Circumstances
29. Must be prepared to drive in different weather conditions.
30. Must live within a reasonable travelling distance to the depot.
31. The driver needs to show a great deal of flexibility within this role as the work will be varied and there may be changes to start times if required to cover another night trunk
Company Benefits
Our Values
As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.
We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.
We are driven by a passion for service, and dedicated to feeding some of the UK's most vulnerable people.
We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.
Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.
Learn more about apetito's commitment to a more sustainable future .
We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.