Shunt Driver
| Posting date: | 10 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 December 2025 |
| Location: | Birchington, Kent |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Thanet Earth |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Thanet Earth is one of the largest employers in East Kent. During seasonal peaks we can have up to 900 people working on site, whether that’s in one of our six greenhouses, in our packing factory or in our commercial and administration team.
We want to make sure we have the right people in place to support our growth and we are now looking for a bright and enthusiastic Shunter to join our Distribution team based at Thanet Earth in Birchington, Kent.
Working within the Distribution Department your main responsibilities will be to ensure the safe movement of product and dry goods around the Thanet Earth site.
Other responsibilities include:
Ensuring strict conformance to all Health & Safety procedures.
The maintenance of the trailers and the tug, including daily visual checks and completion of weekly maintenance reports.
Loading, unloading and checking all site trailers as and when required, ensuring all are accounted for and appropriately replenished.
To ensure daily handover is completed at the start of every shift.
Operating PPT and forklift trucks on the site as and when required.
Work collaboratively to deliver the best possible outcome, efficiently and effectively following the Aspire values.
Key accountabilities
HGV1 qualified.
Licenced to operate a forklift and PPT (training can be provided).
CPC qualification and continue to keep up to date.
Act and behave as a professional driver at all times.
Good communicator and team player.
Ability to prioritise tasks. Have ability to work under own initiative.
A flexible outlook in respect of tasks and duties.
A day in the life…….
“No two days are the same, the pace shifts with the seasons and the flow of produce. One thing never changes: safety always comes first. Every day begins with thorough visual safety checks on trailers and tugs to ensure every vehicle is roadworthy. In a busy yard, vigilance is key to keeping everyone safe. Priority movements from our six glasshouses, soon to be seven, are communicated via our Shunter app, guiding your next move. Communication is critical: working closely with the transport, the warehouse, and the glasshouse teams to coordinate trailer movements. By the end of the day, you’ve balanced dynamic priorities and tight schedules, making sure everything runs smoothly and safely and all customers; both internal and external have had their expectations exceeded.”
Working hours:
You will work 6am-3pm for 4 days, then have 2 rest days and then work 3pm-midnight for 4 days.
Due to our remote location and limited public transportation options, candidates must have their own means of transport for daily commuting.
We want to make sure we have the right people in place to support our growth and we are now looking for a bright and enthusiastic Shunter to join our Distribution team based at Thanet Earth in Birchington, Kent.
Working within the Distribution Department your main responsibilities will be to ensure the safe movement of product and dry goods around the Thanet Earth site.
Other responsibilities include:
Ensuring strict conformance to all Health & Safety procedures.
The maintenance of the trailers and the tug, including daily visual checks and completion of weekly maintenance reports.
Loading, unloading and checking all site trailers as and when required, ensuring all are accounted for and appropriately replenished.
To ensure daily handover is completed at the start of every shift.
Operating PPT and forklift trucks on the site as and when required.
Work collaboratively to deliver the best possible outcome, efficiently and effectively following the Aspire values.
Key accountabilities
HGV1 qualified.
Licenced to operate a forklift and PPT (training can be provided).
CPC qualification and continue to keep up to date.
Act and behave as a professional driver at all times.
Good communicator and team player.
Ability to prioritise tasks. Have ability to work under own initiative.
A flexible outlook in respect of tasks and duties.
A day in the life…….
“No two days are the same, the pace shifts with the seasons and the flow of produce. One thing never changes: safety always comes first. Every day begins with thorough visual safety checks on trailers and tugs to ensure every vehicle is roadworthy. In a busy yard, vigilance is key to keeping everyone safe. Priority movements from our six glasshouses, soon to be seven, are communicated via our Shunter app, guiding your next move. Communication is critical: working closely with the transport, the warehouse, and the glasshouse teams to coordinate trailer movements. By the end of the day, you’ve balanced dynamic priorities and tight schedules, making sure everything runs smoothly and safely and all customers; both internal and external have had their expectations exceeded.”
Working hours:
You will work 6am-3pm for 4 days, then have 2 rest days and then work 3pm-midnight for 4 days.
Due to our remote location and limited public transportation options, candidates must have their own means of transport for daily commuting.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.