Ministry of Justice

Job Title    Warehouse Operative
Job Grade    AO
Job Location    National Distribution Centre, Branston, Burton on Trent. DE14 3EG
Contract Type    Permanent 
Business Area    Ministry of Justice Commercial 
Working pattern    Full-time
Number of Posts    3

The National Distribution Centre (NDC)

The Ministry of Justice Transport Unit is made up of three core business areas and sits within Commercial directorate.

The National Distribution Centre (NDC) is based in Branston, Staffordshire. It was purpose built in 2003 and the operation is responsible for the collection, storage and delivery of internally manufactured goods, raw materials, prisoner property, mattresses, footwear and a small amount of document storage. The site is also used to support other MoJ activities as and when required.

The warehouse is a modern, 135,000 sq. ft. ‘high bay’ facility which can accommodate 16,500 pallets / stillages in both wide and narrow aisle configurations. In addition there is in the region of 6000 sq. ft. of office space.

The in-house NDC fleet comprises 22 rigid / drawbar vehicles providing a scheduled agreed service of 500 visits per month. The fleet is designed to operate on a specialised demount system and this is largely governed by the problems that arise from physical access restrictions in prisons, necessitating a mix of vehicle types. The fleet delivers to the Prison Service estate on a national 5 day week basis, operating a single shift system, supported by ‘nights out’ as and when required.

The Transport Unit is responsible for providing a transport management service to the Ministry of Justice. The unit is also responsible for a specialised vehicle workshop based in Branston, with an engineering and administrative staff of eight. Three field based Regional Engineers, controlled by the transport unit provide a peripatetic service covering England and Wales. The primary functions include the development of transport policy, provision of technical advice and to administer the Crown Indemnity Insurance Policy and commercial insurance requirements.

Fleet Engineering Services (FES) operates out of Building 50 of the Branston site and is situated near the NDC. The facility has been occupied by FES since the late 1980’s. It provides services to HM Prisons and undertakes a wide range of engineering activities which include.

The provision of first line servicing for the National Distribution Centre (NDC) fleet of heavy and light commercial vehicles, as well as second line repairs, bodywork and vehicle modifications.

Design, develop and carry out conversion work on behalf of HMPPS tactical units as per their specifications. FES also undertake work at the start and end of a vehicle’s fleet life for the purchased fleet. This can involve an inspection or necessitate the removal of sensitive equipment before the disposal of a tactical vehicle. FES also inspect all vehicles returned to Branston to establish if they can be re issued to a unit where the requirement does not warrant a new vehicle. For these units FES inspects, costs the parts required, and on agreement with the establishment, undertake the repairs needed to bring the vehicle to a roadworthy legal condition.

Role Summary

We are looking for a dependable and hardworking Warehouse Operatives to join our team. This role is ideal for individuals who take pride in their work, physically fit, and thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

This is a manual role and can be physically demanding.  It will involve repetitive light, medium or occasionally heavy lifting, including regular bending. The job holder will need to be flexible and respond to the needs of the business, working in other departments when requested, including additional hours (if required) and supporting other departments when and where necessary. 

The contracted hours will be:

• Monday to Thursday: 0800hrs to 1600hrs
• Friday: 0800hrs to 1530hrs.

On occasions, you might be required to work weekends and some days overtime dependant on the demands of the NDC. 

The job holder will require basic knowledge/skills to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post and will be required to undertake specific training in these work areas.  Full training/guidance will be given on all duties as necessary.

Key Responsibilities

The duties, activities and responsibilities listed below are not intended to be exhaustive.  The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations, and additional tasks of a similar level that may, from time to time, be required.  Where necessary, appropriate training and instruction, will be provided.

General Tasks

• Report to Warehouse Team Leader at the start of the shift
• Conduct daily pre-shift checks on mechanical handling equipment and complete associated paperwork. Report all defects to your team leader immediately
• Daily Operation of MHE as required by the Team Leader or Supervisor
• Unloading vehicles and containers
• Palletising, banding, and shrink wrapping of stock
• Accurately completing 100% check of all incoming goods and undertake all necessary goods inwards inspection procedures
• Use of Keyboard, handheld scanners, data entry screens and other hand held tools.
• Locate stock, undertake stock transfers and picking area replenishments
• Pick, check, inspect and pack customer orders
• Marshalling goods to appropriate area of the warehouse by correct selection, use, and safe operation of forklift trucks, and other handling equipment
• Follow correct ‘On Charge / Off Charge’ procedures for charging of Mechanical Handling Equipment batteries
• Loading goods for despatch, completing vehicle checks, and making effective use of vehicle space
• Stacking, assembly, and disassembly, of wooden pallets and metal stillages
• Report all stock discrepancies, equipment faults, defects or malfunctions, and stock or equipment damage immediately to a Team Leader
• Keep all paperwork neat, tidy and up to date
• Keep all MHE clean and tidy after use
• Doing stock counts and inventory checks when required
• General housekeeping, and cleaning. Collection and disposal of waste as required.  To Support the site operations during periods of adverse weather e.g. snow and ice clearance
• Working quickly and to strict daily deadlines, to ensure that all customer orders are prepared and completed on time and all goods received are unloaded, inspected and located to the highest standards.
• To work efficiently and effectively as part of a team, supporting the business in the achievement of its key targets and performance standards

Health, Safety and Welfare

• Report hazards. Support the Warehouse Manager in creating a safe working environment for staff, visitors, and contractors by adhering to Health and Safety legislation, ensuring Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) and Risk Assessments (RA) are followed, and by reporting any incidents to a Warehouse Team Leader.

Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE)

The job holder will be frequently required to operate Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) on the site, after successful completion of suitable training and assessment.  Operators must be qualified and hold licences before being permitted to operate the following types of MHE:

• Low Level Order Picking Truck
• Powered Pallet Truck
• Pedestrian Operated Stacker Truck
• Floor Sweeping Machine
• Floor Scrubbing Machine
• High Level Reach Forklift Truck
• Counter Balance Forklift Truck
• High Level Narrow Aisle (Man Up) Forklift Truck

Any training for MHE will be provided

Essential Criteria

• Physically fit as this is a physical role which involves heavy lifting
• Excellent team-working skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Great organisational and record-keeping skills
• Ability to work effectively under limited supervision

Desirable Criteria

• Previous picking and packing experience
• Previous warehouse experience
• Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) experience

Application Stage

An initial sift will be performed against the following elements and will be assessed against the Civil Service success profiles framework:

Experience

• CV
• Statement of Suitability (between 100 - 250 words): this should be based around the key responsibilities and essential criteria

If shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview and will be assessed on the selected success profile elements at the interview stage.

Interview stage

The interviews will be held at National Distribution Centre, Burton Road, Branston. DE14 3EG.  The site is shared with B&Q distribution, please follow the road signs for MoJ once entering the site and report to the security gate where you will be directed to the reception to sign in.  The interviews will be held on an Industrial Site and all staff and visitors are required to wear Hi-Vis Vests whilst moving around site; these will be provided by security on arrival, please ask for a vest if not offered one.

Behaviours

We will assess your application on the following behaviours

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

To learn more about the Civil Service success profiles framework and how they are assessed please click here.