HGV Driver (7.5T) – Surplus Food Redistribution Reporting to: Head of Food and Logistics Salary: £26,000-£27,000 per annum Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:30 with flexibility required between 07:00–18:30 depending on shift pattern) Terms: Fixed term until 31st March 2026, 25 days holiday pa (pro rata, exc. Bank Holidays), 5% pension contribution after 3 full months: there will be a requirement to work some bank holidays Location: Plymouth About FareShare South West FareShare South West (FSSW) joins the dots between food waste and hunger, empowering communities to turn an environmental problem into lasting social good. We rescue tonnes of quality surplus food from the industry and share it with charities and schools to bring health, dignity, and routes out of poverty for people across the South West. Our supportive volunteering and employability programmes offer local people the opportunity to thrive. By joining us, you’ll be part of an inclusive, friendly team in a small but fast-growing charity that helps fight the injustice of who gets to afford a healthy diet. FareShare South West is an independent local charity, working in partnership with FareShare UK. By being part of the national FareShare network, we can help rescue more food. By being small and independent, we can remain close to our local partners and people and continuously adapt to meet the needs of local communities. The member charities we share food with transform lives, using food to connect people with other support and routes out of poverty, including children and families, people on low incomes, homeless people, refugees, domestic abuse survivors, people in recovery, older people, and many others. Purpose of the role 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 FSSW suppliers relationships Build Act as a point of contact between supplier sites, the food team and operations, escalating any issues as needed ambassador positive with for • 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 incidents, defects, or concerns • Comply with all relevant driving laws and working time regulations, including tachograph use and payload limits • Liaise with the Head of Food and Logistics 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 It is not expected that a successful candidate will necessarily have all the following criteria. FareShare South West is committed to helping individuals develop professionally and personally, and your application is encouraged. 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 Behaviours At FareShare South West, we value people who share our commitment to social justice, sustainability, and teamwork. We expect all team members to demonstrate the following behaviours: • Mission-Driven: Believes in FareShare’s purpose and shows a strong commitment to tackling food waste and food poverty • Accountable & Reliable: Takes ownership of tasks, meets deadlines, and ensures a high standard of work • Collaborative: Builds positive working relationships and values team input • Adaptable: Responds constructively to change and finds practical solutions to operational challenges • Respectful & Inclusive: Values diversity and treats everyone with dignity and fairness • Calm Under Pressure: Maintains a composed and professional approach in busy or unexpected situations • Clear Communicator: Shares information appropriately with team members and partners to support safe and efficient operations • Detail-Oriented: Pays attention to the small things that matter — from vehicle checks to food quality and documentation