HGV Driver (7.5T) for Charity

The HGV Driver plays a key role in FareShare South West’s mission to reduce food waste and fight hunger across the South West. You will be responsible for collecting surplus food from suppliers and delivering it to our Plymouth depot. The role primarily involves driving a 7.5T vehicle and may also require operating other vehicles in our fleet. As an ambassador for FareShare South West, you will provide excellent customer service to food suppliers and work closely with our operations team to ensure food is transported safely, efficiently, and with care.

Key Responsibilities

Driving, Collection & Delivery

• Collect surplus food from food suppliers, farms, and warehouses across the region
• Deliver stock to our depot in accordance with delivery schedules
• Communicate proactively with the operations team about route issues, delays, or changes
• Carry out visual checks on all goods, highlighting any quality issues or discrepancies before loading
• Maintain accurate delivery and collection records in line with internal and legal requirements

Customer Service & Representation

• Provide excellent service to all food suppliers, acting as a professional and friendly ambassador for FSSW
• Build positive relationships with suppliers
• Act as a point of contact between supplier sites, the food team and operations, escalating any issues as needed
• Build positive relationships with suppliers, providing feedback from suppliers and contribute to the continuous improvement of our logistics service

Vehicle Maintenance & Compliance

• Carry out daily vehicle checks and report any accidents, incidents, defects, or concerns
• Comply with all relevant driving laws and working time regulations, including tachograph use and payload limits
• Liaise with the Fleet manager on vehicle servicing and repairs
• Follow FareShare’s procedures for Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, and vehicle cleanliness

General Operational Support

• Support warehouse operations between driving activities, including loading, unloading, and occasional forklift use (if qualified)
• Undertake relevant training in Food Hygiene, Manual Handling, and Health & Safety as required
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and safety-conscious working environment

Person Specification

Essential

• Full, clean UK driving license with Category C1 (7.5T) entitlement
• Valid Driver Qualification Card (CPC)
• Minimum of 1 years’ experience driving a 7.5T or larger vehicle
• Physically capable of lifting and moving goods as part of daily duties
• Experience working within a health and safety-focused environment
• Good geographic knowledge and confident navigation skills
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Reliable, proactive, and able to work independently
• Positive and professional attitude
• A strong alignment with FareShare South West’s mission and values

Desirable

• Experience in multi-drop delivery driving
• Accredited forklift truck license (counterbalance)
• Experience in a food handling or distribution environment
• Level 2 Food Hygiene qualification (or willingness to obtain)
• Previous experience working in a charity or community organization