Cargo Operative (Nights)

Job Description

Location: Port of Tilbury London Ltd, Leslie Ford House

Job Title: Cargo Operative (Nights)

Location: Port of Tilbury

Hours: Sunday – Thursday 22:00-06:00

Compensation: £38,989 + Shift allowance - £1,336 + paid overtime

At Forth Ports, we keep trade, logistics, and infrastructure moving. Every day, our teams support the flow of goods, materials, and services that businesses and communities rely on, helping to power economic growth across the UK and beyond. Our people are at the core of everything we do, and their expertise, commitment, and innovation drive our success.

With our commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero by 2042, we're investing heavily in sustainable and digital technologies, including major growth in offshore wind and greener port operations. For you, this means joining a business that's evolving, ambitious, and making a real difference.

About The Role

As a Cargo Operative, you will play an important role in the safe and efficient handling of cargo within our UK Paper Hub at the Port of Tilbury. Working under the guidance of the Team Leader, you will operate a range of plant and equipment, support loading and discharge activities and ensure cargo is handled safely and to the required customer standards.

The role also includes inspecting and grading damaged paper products, supporting cargo refurbishment and carrying out housekeeping and hygiene activities to maintain a safe and high-quality working environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate the plant and equipment required for cargo handling, in line with safety rules, dock regulations and customer requirements.
• Load and discharge cargo safely and efficiently, ensuring goods are handled with care and without damage.
• Complete all required training to gain relevant certifications and develop the skills and knowledge required for the role.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to best working practices across the operation.
• Undertake housekeeping and hygiene duties to maintain a safe environment and meet ISO requirements.
• Manually handle cargo when required, ensuring this is carried out safely and efficiently.
• Inspect and grade damaged paper products in line with required quality standards.
• Complete cargo refurbishment activities, including reeled and palletised paper products, within agreed timescales.
• Support security duties at UKPH 47 Berth during ISPS Security Levels 2 and 3, in line with training and PSFO guidance.

We're Looking For

We are looking for safety focused, reliable and hardworking individuals who enjoy working in a fast paced operational environment. You will be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, with a flexible approach to supporting business and customer requirements.

The successful candidate will be committed to working permanent night shifts and willing to work overtime during busy periods to help meet operational demands. A positive attitude, strong work ethic and commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and quality are essential.

Skills & Qualifications

• Current experience operating a Forklift Truck, with a valid FLT licence/certification.
• Ideally will have experience operating tugs, paper clamps, reach stackers or Lift-Tech equipment, although this is not essential.
• Undertaken rewrap training would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Awareness of quality standards within a port and customer environment.
• Awareness and understanding of warehouse activities.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Strong commitment to health, safety and safe working practices.
• Willingness to undertake training and gain relevant qualifications
• Full Driving Licence, valid in the UK
• Full UK Working Rights

What Forth Ports Can Offer You

• A competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• Shift allowance
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary
• In‑house Occupational Health — Provides professional workplace health advice, support, and guidance for employees across all sites
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — Delivered through Health Assured, offering 24/7, 365‑day confidential wellbeing support via the Wisdom app or telephone access, covering mental health, financial advice, legal guidance, and emotional wellbeing
• Physiotherapy Support — Access to physiotherapy sessions through three external providers in Scotland, plus an onsite physiotherapist once per week in Tilbury
• An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat‑free alternative for all employees
• GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group and selected local gyms
• Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting
• On‑site free parking available for all employees
• Attractive family‑friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover
• Employee discount platform providing savings on UK‑wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays

We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service.

We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military spouses/partners, and we actively support flexible and inclusive recruitment practices.

About The Company

Over our 50 years of experience we have witnessed our ports grow to become important assets to support and deliver growth both for the UK and local economies. The growth impact has been achieved due to the continued investments in our infrastructure, making sure that our ports are able to continually develop their services and support the growth of many industries. Our people have played a significant role. They have delivered the highest quality of service through their expertise, loyalty and flexibility and, without them, we could not have built the strong reputation and the long term agreements with many customers that we have today.

Company Culture

Welcome to Forth Ports Careers. As a leading port operator, we employ over 1,100 people across our ports in Scotland and the Port of Tilbury in London. A career in a port business is very rewarding. There is real variety within each role and significant opportunities for promotion and career development. Don’t just take our word for it; view the \"Some of our People\" section and the video below to gain insight into the kinds of jobs our employees do, how they’ve grown with us, and what motivates them each day. The port business can be seen as a barometer for the economy and this drives us to be adaptable and fast paced as we identify new business opportunities.

Required Criteria

• Current experience operating a Forklift Truck, with a valid FLT licence/certification
• Undertaken rewrap training would be advantageous but is not essential
• Full Driving Licence, valid in the UK
• Full UK Working Rights

Desired Criteria

• Ideally will have experience operating tugs, paper clamps, reach stackers or Lift-Tech equipment, although this is not essential

Closing Date Thursday 24th September, 2026

Contract Type fulltime

Salary £38,989.00 Yearly

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