Overview
This role is working 40 hours per week, 5 days in 7, 04:00am - 08:00am
apetito is the UK’s leading supplier of food and catering solutions to care homes, local authorities & hospitals. The transport and distribution area is a critically important part of our supply chain. Our drivers are the key link between our business and the customers we serve; ensuring our work is delivered professionally, efficiently, and on time.
As a professional driver, this role offers a chance to join a growing and forward-thinking business as an ambassador for apetito, delivering our finished frozen food products to care homes, local authorities, hospitals, and Wiltshire Farm Foods franchisees. You must be prepared to drive to different geographical locations and manage a demanding delivery schedule—our customers depend on our food, and we depend on you. Providing excellent customer service as the face of apetito is essential.
Our main base is Portbury near Bristol, with additional staff at depots in Stanmore, Gillingham, South Kirkby, St Helens, and Motherwell in Scotland.
If you believe you have what it takes to become a Driver with apetito, apply today!
What happens next? - If your initial application is successful, you will be invited to a Driving Assessment appointment, which includes a physical driving assessment (on-road drive) and an interview with the local Transport Manager.
Who we are
apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors, serving more than 1,300 care homes, healthcare, and education settings.
Our meals are crafted by dietitians and chefs, then frozen to lock in the goodness.
Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier, delivering over 330 different frozen meals across the UK.
Responsibilities
* Undertake pre-shift vehicle inspections.
* Ensure full compliance with drivers’ hours, tachographs, and road traffic regulations.
* Maintain a damage-free and economical driving style.
* Make timely deliveries and communicate any discrepancies or delays to the transport office.
* Deliver goods to customers’ points of need.
* Provide excellent customer service and resolve conflicts where necessary.
* Represent the company professionally.
* Report customer service issues during deliveries.
* Perform minor vehicle maintenance such as cleaning, refueling, and bulb replacement.
* Maintain a clean vehicle both internally and externally.
* Deliver and collect vehicles for rental, including inspections.
* Participate in a daily debrief to identify safety, service, and operational improvements.
Qualifications/Personal Qualities
Essential:
* Full LGV Class C Licence (minimum 2 years preferred)
* 2-3 years driving experience
* Understanding of drivers’ hours regulations, working time directive, and tachographs
* Operational knowledge of modern commercial vehicles
* Good geographical knowledge of the UK
* Numerate and literate
* Strong communication skills
* CPC qualification
Desirable:
* Experience with temperature-controlled transport
* Experience with multi-drop deliveries
* Clean driving license
* Experience operating tail lifts and wheeled delivery equipment
* LGV repair or maintenance skills (e.g., bulb changing)
Personal Qualities:
* Outgoing, friendly, customer-focused with a can-do attitude
* Excellent communication skills at all levels
* Ability to manage a busy schedule safely and efficiently
* Calm under pressure
* High personal presentation standards, including vehicle cleanliness
* Flexible and responsive to business needs
Company Benefits
* Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
* 33 days holiday per year, including bank holidays
* Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday
* Discretionary annual bonus
* Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 4%
* Life assurance (at least 2x annual salary)
* Free parking
* Christmas turkey or voucher
* Perks scheme with discounts and salary sacrifice options
Our Values
As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on making a difference and creating outstanding meals. We focus on health, well-being, and ethical sourcing, aiming for Net Zero by 2040. We support British food and farming, promote inclusion, and are committed to a sustainable and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
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