Stock Collector (Van Driver)

Job title: Stock Collector
Contract: Permanent, full time
Location: Burford (OX18 4PF)
Salary: £18,701 per annum
Closing date: 17th March 2023
Interview dates: 23rd March 2023

Blue Cross is one of the UK’s leading animal welfare organisations for animals. We are a charity that supports sick, injured, and homeless pets and care for more than 40,000 animals every year through our rehoming, veterinary and education programmes.

The help we offer includes veterinary treatment, finding loving new homes for pets, behavioural advice, support with pet bereavement and education for future generations.

We have over 50 shops across the UK which raise awareness and income and are run by teams of employees and volunteers.

What is the role?

Our shops rely on donations of clothing, household items and furniture which are collated and stored in our warehouse and then distributed to our shops by our Stock Collectors. This role involves:

• Liaising with shops on a regular basis to ensure their stock requirements are met
• Carrying out the collection and transfer of stock between the shops delivering to the stock rooms
• Responsibility for the clothing bank at Burford and distribute stock collected
• Planning and carrying out house collections when required
• Carrying out all portable appliance testing (PAT) on electrical items in shops when required
• Ensuring the van is kept clean and serviced as required and to ensure the security of the vehicle, equipment and goods at all times
• Carrying out all administrative procedures required including written statistical reports on activity levels, records of journeys and mileage
• Carrying out all tasks in accordance with current Health & Safety procedures and to follow safe lifting and loading practices
• Representing, promoting and raising the profile of Blue Cross to donors of stock
• Keeping the Retail Administration Manager informed of weekly schedule and whereabouts
• Undertaking any other reasonable tasks or duties as requested by line manager

About you

As a Stock Collector you will travelling on daily basis to collect and deliver stock throughout the region Locations and requirements will vary dependent on requirements but predominately in and around the Oxfordshire and London areas, therefore the person must be prepared to drive extensively. You will have good verbal communication skills in order to build relationships at both collection and delivery locations. Good written skills are also asked for as you will be responsible for completing paperwork such as statistical reports on activity levels, records of journeys and mileage.

As part of the role, you will be required to undertake and pass a PAT testing qualification. Some of our locations may requirement the movement of furniture and the navigation of stairs, therefore, the person must be able to lift and load donations into the van and to the shops.

Working efficiently and meeting deadlines are both important assets for this role, as is the ability to remain calm and professional with potentially dissatisfied stakeholders if and when you are unavoidably delayed. Attention to detail is something else we are looking for as the ability to carefully plan the most efficient routes and keep an eye on your vehicle to foresee any mechanical issues can help to prevent problems.

You will have

• Full UK driving licence
• Stamina and concentration when driving long distances
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Punctuality and reliability
• Ability to demonstrate, understanding and apply our Blue Cross values

It would also be great if you had:

• Experience of a driving-based role
• Awareness of PAT Testing

Why Blue Cross?

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make a difference that we do today. We offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• 6 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Holiday exchange & enhanced parental leave.
• Annual volunteer days
• Long service awards, starting from 5 years.
• Vast range of discounts across high street stores, insurance services & more

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.

How to apply

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date 17th March 2023.

First interviews: 23rd March 2023

To apply for this role, all candidates must complete the online application process.

At Blue Cross we are passionate about our commitment to diversity, inclusion and removing barriers, should you like to discuss any reasonable adjustments or changes to our recruitment process to support you to be your best then please get in touch. You can get in touch with us either via email at jobs@bluecross.org.uk, via telephone on 01993 825515 or if you would prefer a video call then we can arrange this using Microsoft Teams.
Blue Cross holds inclusion as a core organisational value. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified, experienced and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. We actively embrace our differences and know that it is our differences that make us unique. You are very welcome at Blue Cross, without the need to hide any part of who you are.