Total Timber Formby is Hiring – Could You Be Their Next Yard & Warehouse Operative?

Total Timber (Formby) Ltd is looking for a Yard & Warehouse Operative to join its team.

This is a varied, semi-skilled position combining manual yard and warehouse work with timber grading, machinery operation, stock control, order preparation and customer service for both trade and public customers.

Job Title: Yard & Warehouse Operative

Responsible to: General Manager – Operations

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To assist in the efficient, safe and accurate day-to-day running of the timber yard, ensuring the smooth handling, storage and distribution of timber, sheet materials and related building products.

This semi-skilled role balances core manual labouring and yard operations with product grading, machinery operation, stock control and dedicated trade and public customer service.

This job description provides a general overview of the role. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Goods Handling & Logistics

Loading & Unloading: Safely load and unload timber and other building materials from delivery vehicles and hauliers, utilising forklift trucks, side loaders and approved manual handling techniques.

Stock Storage & Integrity: Move, stack and organise stock within the yard and warehouse sheds. Ensure all materials are stored correctly and safely to prevent damage, minimise waste and maintain stock integrity.

Sorting & Grading: Inspect, sort and grade timber and building materials according to quality, species, size and type to ensure high standards of product control.

2. Warehouse, Picking & Inventory Duties

Order Preparation: Assist with precise order picking, preparation, packaging and accurate labelling for customer collection or company vehicle delivery.

Stock Control: Conduct routine stock checks, monitor inventory levels and maintain accurate records. Actively report low stock levels, damaged goods or inventory variances to management.

Technology Utilisation: Utilise handheld terminals (HHT), digital scanners or electronic inventory systems where required to log stock movements and track custom orders.

3. Customer Service & Commercial Support

Customer Assistance: Greet and assist trade and retail customers with their enquiries, locate specific stock across the yard and building supply sections and safely load products into their vehicles.

Product Guidance: Provide helpful, professional and knowledgeable advice to customers regarding timber products, treatments and applications and building supplies.

Trade Counters: Support the Trade Counters by accurately noting customer requirements, taking orders and passing leads to the counter team.

4. Machinery & Tool Operation

Timber Processing: Subject to experience and training, safely operate cutting, cross-cut sawing or processing equipment to prepare timber to exact customer specifications.

Mechanical Handling: Competently and efficiently operate forklift trucks and other mechanical handling equipment in line with safety certifications.

Site Branding & Improvement Support: Assist management and colleagues with physical site updates, including the arrangement of new stock layouts, moving racking or installing updated company signage and point-of-sale displays as required during company transition phases.

5. Yard Maintenance, Labouring & Safety

Health & Safety Adherence: Maintain an uncompromisingly safe working environment for staff and visitors by strictly adhering to company health and safety regulations, COSHH and manual handling procedures.

Site Housekeeping: Perform general site and yard clean-up, including sweeping, clearing debris and ensuring all walkways, fire exits and vehicle lanes remain entirely unobstructed.

Maintenance & Labouring: Conduct basic maintenance and daily pre-use checks on tools, saws and mechanical equipment. Assist tradespeople, colleagues or management with manual digging, lifting or extra site tasks as needed to support the business.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & ATTRIBUTES

Essential Physical Capability: A high level of physical fitness with the capability to perform rigorous manual handling tasks and heavy lifting of timber products safely.

Adaptability: Full willingness and ability to work outdoors in all British weather conditions.

Core Skills: Solid basic numeracy and literacy skills for precise stock counting, measurements and order picking.

Teamwork & Focus: Excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic and a reliable, collaborative approach to working within a close-knit team.

DESIRABLE

• Previous experience working within a timber merchant, independent builders’ merchant or building supplies warehouse.

• Valid forklift truck driving licence – Counterbalance and/or Side-loader.

• Practical experience operating commercial cutting, cross-cut sawing or woodworking equipment.

• Proven customer service or trade-counter sales experience.

• Existing knowledge of timber products, grading and their structural uses.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Punctual, dependable and highly reliable.

• Hardworking, enthusiastic and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

• Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding stock measurements, grading and order accuracy.

• Inherently safety-conscious regarding personal conduct and the protection of colleagues and customers.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS & FRAMEWORK

To ensure maximum operational efficiency, all duties and performance standards must comply with:

• Current Company Health & Safety Procedures.

• Internal Standards of Work and Accuracy & Customer Care Expectations.

• A proactive willingness to undertake continuous professional development and operational training on both an individual and company basis.

Any applicants can emailJohn.dempsey@totaltimber.co.uk  andchris.houghton@totaltimber.co.uk with C.V’s if interested in the positions.

This document serves as a non-prescriptive benchmark guide to demonstrate the flexible, multi-task operational levels required of a semi-skilled team member at Total Timber (Formby) Ltd.