ABOUT CITY HARVEST
Est. 2014, City Harvest London food charity rescues nutritious surplus food from farms, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, and delivers it, for free, to over 130,000 people a week via organisations feeding those facing food poverty. Our HQ depot is in Acton, with a satellite site at New Covent Garden Market. City Harvest rescues food, people, and the planet by diverting food waste and providing life-changing support to communities across London.
Distributing free food for more than 1.3 million meals a month, our fleet of vans deliver to food banks, homeless shelters, hostels, soup kitchens, mental health charities, projects supporting the elderly and socially isolated, social pantries, community kitchens, refugee hostels, schools and nurseries, family centres and domestic abuse refuges.
Join our passionate mission to reduce waste and feed London, with opportunities to grow while making a real difference.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As an HGV driver you will be responsible for collecting surplus food from our Donors and delivering it to our Community Partners throughout London, adhering to all Transport Operator Licence requirements, health and safety regulations, food handling (including the cold chain requirements) and company policies. You will be representing our Charity with Donors and Community Partners. You will be expected to provide excellent customer service and be responsible for keeping to a schedule and ensuring that the produce is delivered in appropriate conditions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ability to drive long distances while maintaining concentration
- Knowledge of pump truck usage
- Operating lorries and other commercial vehicles in compliance with all road safety regulations and company policies
- Safely load, secure, and unload cargo, ensuring all items are transported without damage
- Plan routes efficiently to meet delivery schedules and optimise fuel consumption
- Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the vehicle, reporting any faults or issues promptly
- Maintain accurate records of deliveries, mileage, and fuel usage
- Communicate effectively with dispatchers, clients, and team members regarding delivery times and any unforeseen delays
- Adhere strictly to legal driving hours and rest periods to ensure safety on the road
KEY DELIVERABLES
- 5 days a week with overtime expected and paid (Mon to Fri, or Tues to Sat)
- Salary range £35-37k, with adjustments whenever 26t driven
- Mostly London deliveries and collections
- Compliance within CPC and transport law
- HGV Driver – Job Description
- A full UK driving license, ideally with zero points
- Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for driving
- HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) Licence, covering Category C1 and Category C vehicles
- Knowledge of how to operate refrigerated vehicle
- Adhering to all traffic laws, safety regulations, and company policies
ABOUT YOU
This role is ideal for experienced drivers who take pride in their work and are committed to maintaining high standards of safety and service. The position offers an engaging work environment with opportunities for professional development within the logistics sector. You will distribute food to people in need representing City Harvest.
DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- 5+ years’ experience in a similar role
- Proven experience in commercial driving, ideally with a food transportation, refrigerated vehicles
- Strong knowledge of road safety regulations and best practices within the UK transport industry
- Excellent driving skills with a clean driving licence suitable for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) or lorry operation
- Ability to handle physically demanding tasks such as loading and securing cargo safely
- Good organisational skills with the ability to plan routes efficiently and manage time effectively
- Reliable, punctual, and professional attitude towards work commitments
QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS AT CITY HARVEST
- Charitable
- Compassionate
- Community-focused
- Aspiring
- Trustworthy
- Collaborative team player
JOB DETAILS
- Job Type: Full-time, permanent, Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday
- Hours of Work: 7am – 3pm (with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break)
- Salary: £35,000 - £37,000 per annum
- Place of Work: All City Harvest sites
- Deadline for applications: Wednesday, 2nd September 2026
- Interviews will be conducted in week commencing 7th September 2026
City Harvest London is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe in treating all employees, volunteers, candidates, and stakeholders with fairness and respect. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that individuals from different backgrounds bring to our organisation, and we strive to foster an environment that promotes equal opportunities for all.
HGV Driver – Job Description
We adhere to the Equality Act 2010, and our policy is to be fair and consistent in all aspects of our organisation. Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to select candidates based on their abilities and merits to perform the tasks required. All applications received will be dealt with confidentially and subject to our company's recruitment and selection processes. Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and eligibility to live and work in the UK.
At City Harvest London, we embrace equality as part of our ways of working because we believe it is the right thing to do for our people, our community, and our success. We do not discriminate in employment based on race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, marital status, medical history, parental status, or genetic information.
Pay: £35,000.00-£37,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Pay rise
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
