About Hobby Ceramicraft
Hobby Ceramicraft is an established wholesale supplier to the Paint Your Own Pottery industry. We supply pottery studios and creative businesses throughout the UK.
Our customers are independent, creative business owners, many of whom we have worked with for many years. We take pride in building strong, long-term relationships with them and in supplying quality products backed up by excellent customer service.
We are a small business, so our team plays an important part in keeping everything running smoothly. We have developed efficient systems and ways of working, but the nature of a small company means that everyone needs to be flexible and willing to help with different aspects of the business.
About the role
We are looking for a careful, organised and reliable Packing & Dispatch Warehouse Operative to join our team at our Grazeley warehouse.
This is a busy, practical role with responsibility for making sure customer orders are accurately checked, carefully packed and ready for collection each day.
We currently dispatch approximately 30–40 parcels and 15 pallets each day, although volumes will vary.
Our pottery is already well packed for storage and handling. Your job will be to carefully pack individual pottery items into boxes for delivery to our customers. We also supply paints, glazes and other pottery supplies, which need to be packed carefully and securely for courier transport.
You will be trained in our products, packing methods and systems. Previous warehouse or packing experience would be useful, but is not essential. We are particularly interested in someone who is naturally careful, methodical and takes pride in doing a job properly.
Main responsibilities
Packing & checking
- Pick up completed customer orders ready for packing.
- Check products and quantities carefully against the customer order.
- Pack cases of pottery carefully into boxes using our established packing methods.
- Pack paints, glazes and other pottery supplies appropriately for courier delivery.
- Select suitable boxes and packing materials for each order.
- Ensure parcels are securely packed, closed and correctly labelled.
- Prepare larger orders for pallet dispatch.
- Check that pallets are correctly assembled, stable and ready for collection.
- Identify and report any discrepancies, damaged goods or problems with an order before it leaves the warehouse.
Dispatch
- Organise completed orders in the dispatch area ready for collection.
- Make sure the correct orders are ready for the correct courier or haulage collection.
- Work to daily courier and haulage collection times.
- Help parcel couriers load their vans safely and efficiently.
- Use the forklift to load palletised orders onto haulage vehicles at the end of the day.
- Assist with loading and unloading vehicles when required.
- Keep the packing and dispatch area clean, tidy and organised.
- Make sure packaging materials are replenished and available when needed.
General warehouse duties
Although packing and dispatch will be the main focus of the role, you will also help with general warehouse activities when required, including:
- Moving stock using trolleys, pallet trucks and other warehouse equipment.
- Replenishing stock and helping keep the warehouse organised.
- Assisting with deliveries and customer collections.
- Helping unload incoming deliveries and containers.
- Carrying out stock checks.
- Assisting other members of the warehouse team when required.
What we are looking for
We are looking for someone who:
- Is careful and takes pride in their work.
- Has excellent attention to detail.
- Is methodical and organised.
- Can work at a steady pace while maintaining accuracy.
- Understands the importance of checking their work before an order leaves the warehouse.
- Is reliable and punctual.
- Has good literacy and numeracy skills.
- Has good communication skills.
- Can work independently and as part of a small team.
- Is able to use initiative and solve practical problems.
- Is happy working in a busy, active environment.
- Is physically able to lift items weighing up to 30kg safely.
- Is comfortable kneeling, crouching, twisting and reaching when handling stock.
- Is comfortable using staircases, as our main warehouse is spread across two buildings and two levels.
The role involves being on your feet for most of the day and can involve 10,000–18,000 steps during a shift, depending on the workload.
Forklift experience is desirable but not essential – training will be provided.
Working hours
Monday–Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm
37.5 paid hours per week
There is a 30-minute unpaid lunch break each day.
Weekends and Bank Holidays are not required.
The position is permanent and will be subject to a 3-month probationary period.
£26,812.50 progressing to £26,787.50 per year
Location
The position is based at our warehouse in Grazeley, near Reading.
Due to the location of the premises, applicants will need to have their own reliable transport or live very close to the warehouse and be able to travel to work independently.
The person we are looking for
This role would suit someone who enjoys practical work and takes satisfaction from getting things right.
You don't need to have previous experience packing pottery. We can teach you our products and packing methods.
What matters to us is that you are careful with other people's orders, reliable, organised and willing to learn.
When a customer receives an order from Hobby Ceramicraft, we want it to arrive correctly packed, complete and ready for them to use in their own business. Your role will be an important part of making that happen.
Attention to detail is important to us, please ensure you have answered the screener questions.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £26,812.50 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
Application question(s):
- How will you travel to and from Hobby Ceramicraft everyday?
- A Glaze bucket weighs 30kg and clay blocks 25kg, can you lift this weight from the floor to a trolley at knee height?
- This role requires care, accuracy, organisation and reliability. What qualities, skills or experience do you have that would make you particularly well suited to this role?
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
