Production - Jobs.

We are currently recruiting a Forklift Driver to join our Production team. This role will involve working across all A. C. Goatham sites, as required.

This opportunity is open to candidates have previous forklift experience.

The purpose of this role is to support the safe and efficient movement of products within our yard and production areas. The successful candidate will operate forklift trucks and contribute to maintaining a safe, clean, and productive working environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Safely operating forklift trucks to transport goods within production and yard areas

• Feeding packhouses with packaging and produce as required

• Ensuring products are stored correctly, including within cold stores

• Working in a cold store environment (0–5°C)

• Loading and unloading cold stores and deliveries

• Loading tipper trucks

• Keeping forklift driving areas free from spills and obstructions

• Carrying out regular checks on forklift equipment

• Working on apple/pear graders, tray packs, and pre-size operations

• Assisting with additional tasks within production and yard areas

• Repetitive manual handling of products (up to 18kg)

• Maintaining clean-as-you-go standards

• Upholding high levels of hygiene and health & safety

• Reporting any damaged goods, non-conformances, or accidents to management

Our ideal Forklift Driver will:

• Have previous experience in a forklift, warehouse, or stores-based role

• Hold a valid forklift licence/certificate (desirable but not essential)

• Take responsibility for their own actions

• Understand and follow health, safety, and food hygiene standards

• Be comfortable in a physical role with regular manual handling

• Work well as part of a team and communicate effectively

• Show a positive, flexible, and can-do attitude

• Be willing to learn and develop new skills, including handheld scanners

• Take pride in A. C. Goatham, our products, and our processes

Working hours:

45 hours per week, scheduled between 06:00 and midnight

Forklift Drivers operate on a rotating shift pattern:

Early shift: 06:00 – 17:00

Day shift: 07:00 – 18:00

Late shift: 13:00 – 24:00

Flexibility is required, working 45 hours  per week in line with the shift pattern.

Salary :

£13.80/h–£14.90/h, depending on experience

What we can offer:

• Loyalty rewarded – earn an extra day of holiday for every 2 years of service  

• Secure your future - You will be automatically enrolled in the company pension scheme after three months of service (contributions: employee 5%, employer 3%)  

• Eyecare vouchers to help you look after your vision  

• Fortnightly pay for regular, reliable income  

• Extensive learning & development platform, available in multiple languages to support your growth  

• Company accommodation available where required  

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering confidential support whenever you need it  

• Private GP service for fast, convenient access to medical advice  

• Free onsite parking  

• Festive fun with our all-staff December advent calendar and prizes to be won  

• Exclusive BHN discounts on a wide range of brands and services  

• Free Will Writing Opportunities twice a year  

• Education - Free English Training Opportunities  

• Study Sponsorship opportunities  

• Free Fruit

Our growing business has been all about British apples and pears since 1947.

From father to son, every day for over 75 years, our family business is growing. We innovate and change but our values always stay the same. We’re a team who pride ourselves on the Goatham’s way, passionate about growing the very best quality British apples and pears.

An opportunity has arisen for capable individuals with an eye for detail to join our Production team in the role of Shunter Driver. 

The Shunter Driver is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of vehicles, trailers, and other equipment within the yard and warehouse areas. They ensure trailers are correctly positioned for loading and unloading while maintaining full compliance with health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities Include:

•       Safely manoeuvre and park vehicles and trailers within the yard and designated areas.

•         Ensure timely and correct positioning of trailers at loading bays for inbound and outbound operations.

•         Conduct daily pre-use checks on vehicles and trailers, reporting any defects promptly in line with VOR (Vehicle Off Road) procedures.

•         Perform safe and efficient trailer movements across the site according to the daily plan.

•         Always follow all yard safety procedures and speed limits.

•         Assist with coupling and uncoupling of trailers as required.

•         Maintain accurate records of trailer and vehicle movements, ensuring proper documentation.

•         Communicate clearly and professionally with Yard, Packhouse Transport Desk, and Dispatch teams.

•         Occasionally support other yard functions such as Gatehouse operations, Banksman, or Forklift driving as needed.

•         Ensure compliance with company policies, health & safety regulations, and legal requirements.

•         Maintain a clean, tidy, and organised yard environment.

Our perfect Shunter Driver would have/be:

·         A valid shunter licence and relevant experience

·         Takes responsibility for own actions

·         All employees, across all departments, must follow the company’s Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Hygiene Policies at all times. These policies are designed to protect employee well-being and ensure compliance with customer and BRC (British Retail Consortium) requirements.

·         Company-provided PPE must be worn at all times, in accordance with the requirements set out in company policies.

·         Previous experience of working in a warehouse or stores-based environment would be an advantage

·         Understanding of and adherence to health and safety protocols and food hygiene standards

·         The ability to interpret and follow written and spoken instructions

·         Comfortable with a physical role where manual handling is a frequent requirement

·         Respect for others and values diversity; happy to listen and work as part of a team

·         Actively listens and contributes towards the team effort; collaborates and shares expertise with others

·         Approaches challenges with a positive mind-set

·         A can-do attitude with a flexible and dynamic approach

·         The ability to use own initiative; takes pride in delivering against tight deadlines despite working under pressure

·         The ability to learn how to operate our handheld scanners

·         Displays pride in A. C. Goatham, our products and processes

·         Customer focussed; able to provide a pragmatic and responsive service.  Builds strong relationships throughout the organisation

The hours you would work:

      45 hours per week, scheduled between 07:00 and midnight

3rd Shift: 14:00 – 00:00

      Flexibility is essential.

Rate of pay:

An experienced and skilled Shunter Driver will start on the junior salary: £16.12 basic and 1.25  overtime during a 6-month probation period. If successful, you will be moved to the senior rate: £17.81 basic and 1.25 overtime.

What else we can offer you:

·         28 days holiday including bank holidays (with an opportunity to earn more holiday based on your length of service)

·         Pension scheme

·         Fortnightly pay

·         Learning and development opportunities

·         Free onsite parking

·         An opportunity to occupy our company accommodation if required

·         Access to free Wi-Fi

Our growing business has been all about British apples and pears since 1947.

From father to son, every day for over 75 years, our family business is growing. We innovate and change but our values always stay the same. We’re a team who pride ourselves on the Goatham’s way, passionate about growing the very best quality British apples and pears.

An opportunity has arisen for dynamic individuals with an eye for detail to join our team in the role of Quality Controller.The purpose of this role is to carry out quality control checks on incoming raw materials, outgoing finished products and online production checks to ensure our fresh fruit products meet our internal and customer specifications.

Responsibilities Include:

•         Inspection of fresh produce on arrival, on production lines and on despatch; ensuring product is correctly packed and positive release is carried out

•         Carrying out quality related inspection checks such as pressure and brix testing using the appropriate equipment and recording test results

•         Utilising the company IT software to create stock reports

•         Managing workload according to customer order sheets.

•         Checking of produce labels for accuracy and as per specification

•         Completing any necessary documentation in compliance with any requirements

•         Maintaining excellent levels of hygiene standards

•         Repetitive manual handling of products (up to 18kg)

•         Monitoring the productivity of our Production Operatives, providing training, support and feedback to drive improved performance

Our perfect Quality Controller would have:

•         Previous experience of working in a fresh produce environment with responsibility for monitoring product quality would be a strong advantage

•         Excellent attention to detail

•         Understanding of and adherence to health and safety protocols and food hygiene standards

•         The ability to interpret and follow written and spoken instructions

•         Respect for others and values diversity; happy to listen and work as part of a team

•         A can-do attitude with a flexible and dynamic approach

•         The ability to use own initiative and thrives under pressure

•         A basic understanding of stock control systems

The hours you would work:

Our Quality Controllers are contracted to work a 5 day week but due to the nature of our business, it can sometimes be 6. We do tend to work long hours but we reflect this in our competitive pay structure. As a result, this role would only be suited to candidates who are able to be flexible.

Salary:

£30206 for 45 hour per week rising to £31866 following training period.

What else we can offer you:

• Loyalty rewarded – earn an extra day of holiday for every 2 years of service 

• Secure your future - You will be automatically enrolled in the company pension scheme after three months of service (contributions: employee 5%, employer 3%) 

• Eyecare vouchers to help you look after your vision 

• Fortnightly pay for regular, reliable income 

• Extensive learning & development platform, available in multiple languages to support your growth 

• Company accommodation available where required 

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering confidential support whenever you need it 

• Private GP service for fast, convenient access to medical advice 

• Free onsite parking 

• Festive fun with our all-staff December advent calendar and prizes to be won 

• Exclusive BHN discounts on a wide range of brands and services 

• Free Will Writing Opportunities twice a year 

• Education - Free English Training Opportunities 

• Study Sponsorship opportunities 

• Free Fruit