Goods In Operative

Pay & Progression

The starting rate for this position is £13.50 per hour, rising to £14.10 per hour following successful completion of probation, required training and demonstration of competency within the role.

In addition to the hourly rate, there is the opportunity to earn up to £3,200 per annum through our Company Performance Bonus Scheme, subject to achievement of the applicable company performance targets and scheme terms.

About the Role

DoughGirl and The Chuckling Cheese Company are looking for an organised, reliable and hardworking Goods In Operative to join our growing Warehouse team.

This is a hands-on role responsible for receiving, checking, recording and safely storing incoming deliveries of ingredients, packaging, finished products and other materials.

You will play an important part in ensuring all incoming goods are accurately checked against delivery documentation, correctly recorded within our ERP system, Orderwise, and stored in the appropriate locations.

The role will involve regular forklift operation, unloading vehicles, moving pallets, stock control and supporting the wider Warehouse and Production teams.

A full UK driving licence is essential, as you may also be required to drive company vans to complete deliveries, collections and other business-related journeys.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in accuracy, works efficiently and proactively identifies issues before they affect the wider operation.

Key Responsibilities

Goods In & Deliveries

• Receive incoming deliveries from suppliers and couriers.
• Safely unload delivery vehicles using appropriate equipment.
• Check delivered quantities against purchase orders and delivery notes.
• Verify product descriptions, quantities and relevant product codes.
• Inspect goods for damage, contamination or other quality concerns.
• Check packaging condition and product suitability.
• Identify shortages, over-deliveries and incorrect products.
• Report delivery discrepancies promptly.
• Ensure incoming goods are correctly labelled.
• Record batch numbers, expiry dates and other required traceability information.
• Ensure goods are booked into Orderwise accurately and promptly.
• Maintain accurate Goods In documentation.
• Ensure deliveries are processed efficiently to avoid unnecessary delays.
• Communicate issues with the Warehouse Manager and relevant departments.

Forklift Operation

Forklift operation is an essential part of this role.

Responsibilities include:

• Operating forklifts safely and competently.
• Loading and unloading pallets from delivery vehicles.
• Moving pallets around the warehouse.
• Placing stock into designated storage locations.
• Retrieving stock from racking and storage areas.
• Supporting vehicle loading when required.
• Completing pre-use forklift safety checks.
• Reporting defects or safety concerns immediately.
• Ensuring loads are stable and transported safely.
• Following warehouse traffic management and pedestrian safety procedures.
• Complying with forklift operating procedures and Health and Safety requirements.

Applicants must hold a recognised forklift operator qualification or be able to demonstrate appropriate previous training and competency. Site-specific familiarisation and authorisation will be required before operating company equipment.

Stock Control & Orderwise

• Accurately book incoming stock into Orderwise.
• Ensure stock is allocated to the correct warehouse locations.
• Complete stock transfers and movements.
• Maintain accurate stock records.
• Investigate discrepancies between physical and system stock.
• Support regular stock checks and cycle counts.
• Ensure stock is correctly labelled and identifiable.
• Maintain batch and lot traceability.
• Follow FIFO and FEFO stock rotation procedures where applicable.
• Identify stock approaching expiry.
• Report damaged, missing or incorrectly located stock.
• Ensure stock adjustments follow company procedures.
• Help maintain accurate inventory records across the warehouse.

Warehouse Organisation & Stock Movements

• Put away incoming stock promptly.
• Maintain organised and accessible stock locations.
• Ensure pallets are safely stacked and stored.
• Keep warehouse aisles and access routes clear.
• Move ingredients, packaging and products between designated areas.
• Replenish stock locations as required.
• Support stock rotation.
• Maintain good housekeeping standards.
• Ensure products are stored in accordance with their requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve warehouse organisation and efficiency.

Supporting Production & Dispatch

The Goods In team plays an important role in ensuring our Bakery and Dispatch operations have the stock they need.

You will be expected to:

• Support the movement of ingredients and packaging to Production.
• Respond promptly to stock requests.
• Identify shortages before they affect production.
• Communicate stock availability issues.
• Assist with stock transfers between departments.
• Support Dispatch with stock movements and replenishment.
• Help prepare goods for internal movements or external deliveries.
• Assist other warehouse team members during busy periods.

Company Van Driving

As part of this role, you may be required to drive company vans for operational purposes.

This may include:

• Collecting stock from suppliers.
• Delivering products or materials to other locations.
• Transferring stock between sites.
• Completing occasional customer or business deliveries.
• Collecting packaging, equipment or other supplies.
• Supporting urgent operational requirements.

When driving company vehicles, you will be expected to:

• Hold a valid full UK driving licence appropriate for the vehicle.
• Meet company insurance requirements.
• Drive safely and responsibly.
• Complete required vehicle safety checks.
• Ensure loads are secured appropriately.
• Maintain accurate delivery or collection documentation.
• Report vehicle defects, damage or incidents promptly.
• Represent the company professionally.

This is primarily a warehouse-based position, with driving duties undertaken when required by the business.

Food Safety, Hygiene & Health and Safety

As a food manufacturing business, maintaining high standards of safety, hygiene and product handling is essential.

You will be required to:

• Follow all company food safety procedures.
• Maintain good personal hygiene.
• Follow allergen control procedures.
• Ensure ingredients and products are stored correctly.
• Maintain product traceability.
• Follow manual handling procedures.
• Wear required PPE.
• Follow forklift and vehicle safety procedures.
• Keep warehouse areas clean and organised.
• Report hazards, accidents and near misses.
• Follow company Health and Safety policies.
• Ensure damaged or unsuitable products are appropriately identified and reported.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Full UK driving licence.
• Forklift operator training and relevant practical experience.
• Ability to operate forklifts safely, subject to site authorisation.
• Previous warehouse or Goods In experience.
• Good attention to detail.
• Confident working with quantities and stock records.
• Basic computer skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to work accurately in a busy environment.
• Comfortable undertaking a physically active role.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proactive approach to problem solving.
• Willingness to drive company vans when required.

Desirable

• Experience within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Experience using Orderwise or another ERP system.
• Experience with handheld stock terminals.
• Stock control experience.
• Knowledge of FIFO and FEFO stock rotation.
• Experience handling ingredients or food products.
• Experience receiving palletised deliveries.
• Experience with stocktaking and cycle counts.
• Previous commercial van driving experience.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically active role that may involve:

• Regular standing and walking.
• Loading and unloading deliveries.
• Moving pallets and materials.
• Lifting and handling products.
• Operating forklifts and warehouse equipment.
• Working in warehouse, chilled or other designated storage areas.
• Bending, reaching and manual handling.
• Occasional company van driving.

Appropriate training and handling equipment will be provided.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will be someone who is:

Accurate: Understands the importance of checking deliveries and maintaining correct stock records.

Organised: Keeps stock locations and warehouse areas tidy, safe and accessible.

Proactive: Identifies potential problems before they affect Production or Dispatch.

Reliable: Can be trusted to complete tasks correctly and on time.

Safety-Conscious: Takes responsibility for safe forklift operation, vehicle driving and warehouse practices.

Flexible: Willing to support different warehouse activities and undertake driving duties when required.

Accountable: Takes ownership of mistakes, investigates discrepancies and works to prevent repeat issues.

Key Performance Areas

Performance will be assessed against:

• Goods In processing accuracy.
• Timely booking of deliveries into Orderwise.
• Stock location accuracy.
• Stock traceability.
• Delivery discrepancy reporting.
• Stock rotation compliance.
• Forklift safety.
• Warehouse organisation.
• Timely completion of stock movements.
• Support provided to Production and Dispatch.
• Compliance with food safety and Health and Safety requirements.
• Reliability and teamwork.

Our Core Principles

Be accountable: Take responsibility for your work.

Be Better: Keep learning, there's always room for improvement.

Be Collaborative: Work together, we are one team!

Be Proud: Put the work in and be proud of your achievements!

Be Proactive: Stay curious and apply your initiative to be efficient within your role.

Pay, Bonus & Benefits

• Starting pay of £13.50 per hour.
• Progression to £14.10 per hour following successful completion of probation, required training and demonstration of competency.
• Opportunity to earn up to £3,200 per annum through the Company Performance Bonus Scheme.
• Company pension.
• Staff discounts across DoughGirl and The Chuckling Cheese Company products.
• Full training on company systems and procedures.
• Ongoing skills development.
• Opportunities for career progression within a growing business.

Working Hours

This is a full-time, permanent position.

Working hours will be based around warehouse operational requirements, incoming delivery schedules and the needs of the business.

Flexibility may be required during busy periods, including occasional additional hours or weekend working.

How to Apply

If you're an organised, reliable and proactive warehouse operative with forklift experience and a full UK driving licence, we'd like to hear from you.

We're looking for someone who takes pride in getting things right, works safely and efficiently, and is willing to support our growing Warehouse, Bakery and Dispatch operations.