HGV Day Driver

Join to apply for the HGV Day Driver role at apetito UK. 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 offers a chance to join a growing, 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 you provide fantastic customer service as the face of apetito. Start times from 04.00 am and based on an initial 40‑hour week. Our main base is Portbury near Bristol, but we also have staff at our out‑base depots in Stanmore, Gillingham, Coleshill, South Kirkby, St Helens and Motherwell in Scotland. Responsibilities Undertake pre‑shift inspection (vehicle check) of vehicles. Full compliance with the drivers’ hours, tachographs and road traffic regulations. Driving style – damage free and economical. Making deliveries in a timely manner and phoning transport office with any delivery discrepancies or delays. Deliver goods to the customer’s “point of need”. Provide excellent customer service and conflict resolution where necessary. Be an ambassador of the company. Report any customer service issues to transport office or customer service department while delivering. Undertake minor vehicle service activity such as cleaning and refueling of both vehicle and refrigerated unit and minor repairs such as the replacement of bulbs. Maintenance of a clean vehicle both internally and externally. Delivery and collection of vehicles as required to rental suppliers including any due inspections. Inspection of hire vehicles pre and post rental. Actively participate in a daily debrief process, working with your supervisor to identify safety, service and operational improvements as and when they arise. Internal stock movements between sites. Essential Qualifications Full HGV Licence (Class C + CE) (ideally for minimum 2 years). Driving experience (ideally 2-3 years). Excellent understanding of drivers’ hours regulations, working time directive and tachographs. Good operational knowledge of modern commercial vehicles. Good geographical knowledge of the UK. Numerate and literate. Good people and communication skills. CPC. Desirable Qualifications Temperature controlled transport experience. Experience of multi‑drop deliveries. Clean driving licence. Temperature Control Transport. LGV repair or maintenance experience (e.g., bulb changing). Experience of operating tail lifts. Experience of working with wheeled delivery equipment. Personal Qualities The successful candidate will be outgoing, friendly, customer focused with a can‑do attitude and will work well as part of a team. Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills at all levels towards both customers and colleagues. Able to juggle the demands of a busy schedule, traffic conditions and other road users with safety, customer service and time / efficiency targets. Must be calm under pressure. High standard of personal presentation to uphold the company brand, including uniform / vehicle cleanliness. Flexible and responsive to business needs (e.g., if required to complete a different route/start at different time on occasions). Competitive salary - accredited Living Wage employer. 33 days holiday per year, including bank holidays (which are considered a normal working day). Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year. Discretionary annual bonus scheme. Pension scheme – employer matched contributions up to 4%. Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary. Free snacks and beverages on site, free parking, free turkey or voucher at Christmas. Access to employee benefits including Perkbox with salary sacrifice options and retail discounts. Seniority level Entry level Employment type Full‑time Job function Management and Manufacturing Industries Food and Beverage Manufacturing 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. We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds and are on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential. #J-18808-Ljbffr