Location: Great Blakenham, near Ipswich
Hours: Monday – Friday, 07:00 – 17:00 - occasional rotational Saturday 0700-1100
Salary: £679.10 per week (47.5 hours) rising to £730.35 per week after successful probation
Overtime: Paid at enhanced rate of £19.88 per hour
Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
Essential Requirements
- Must hold a current Counterbalance Forklift Licence and Clamp Truck Licence
- Minimum 5 years’ forklift operating experience within a fast-paced industrial, manufacturing, production, warehouse, or logistics environment
- Must have experience working to high productivity targets and safely operating in a busy industrial setting
- Strong understanding of industrial Health & Safety procedures is essential
- Must hold a full current car or motorcycle licence and have own transport due to location and working hours
- Must be fluent in spoken and written English to safely follow procedures and use digital management systems
- Physically fit and willing to undertake manual duties alongside forklift work
- Excellent reliability and attendance record required
About Us
Bolton Brothers Ltd is a family-run Recycling and Waste Management company based approximately 5 miles from Ipswich. We are looking for an experienced and motivated Forklift Operator to join our busy Forklift Team.
The Role
Working under the supervision of the Forklift Team Leader, you will be responsible for the safe and efficient loading, unloading, movement, and processing of baled and palletised materials across the site. This is a physically demanding role within a fast-paced industrial environment where safety, efficiency, and teamwork are essential.
Main Responsibilities
- Complete daily pre-operation safety checks on forklift and clamp trucks
- Safely load and unload containers and curtain-sided vehicles
- Operate forklifts efficiently throughout the working day
- Carry out manual duties including handballing, stock takes, cleaning, and liaising with visiting drivers
- Maintain steady material flow to processing machinery and granulators
- Weigh and prepare materials for processing
- Process digital delivery and collection records using handheld tablet systems
- Identify material contamination issues and report concerns to management
- Follow all site Health & Safety procedures and safe systems of work
- Maintain high housekeeping standards across operational areas
- Report machinery or maintenance concerns promptly to supervisors
- Work closely with the Weighbridge team to support inbound and outbound material operations
- Assist with deep cleaning during downtime periods
- Complete shift processing figures and operational records accurately
Skills and Experience
Successful applicants will have:
- Current Counterbalance Forklift and Clamp Truck licences
- Strong forklift operating experience in industrial or warehouse environments
- Good awareness of machinery and ability to identify maintenance concerns
- Basic IT skills and confidence using tablets and digital systems
- Basic numeracy and literacy skills (GCSE Maths and English preferred)
- A proactive, self-motivated, and can-do attitude
- Ability to work well within a team and communicate professionally with colleagues and visitors
- Willingness to learn and develop additional skills
Working Hours
Standard hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 17:00
During busier periods, shifts may change to:
- 06:00 – 16:00
- 08:00 – 18:00
- 06:00 – 17:00
- 07:00 – 18:00
Additional hours are paid at enhanced overtime rates.
You may also occasionally be required to work:
- Rotational Saturday mornings: 07:00 – 11:00 (paid at enhanced overtime rate)
Please note: Previous applicants need not apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £679.10 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Is your commute within 30 minutes of the site ?
- Are you willing to work overtime during the week and Rotational Saturdays?
Experience:
- Forklift: 5 years (required)
Language:
- Fluent English (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Forklift Licence (required)
- Car/Motorcycle Licence and your own transport (required)
Work Location: In person
