HGV Driver

HGV Class 1 Driver

Location: DS Smith Packaging, Fordham
Shift Pattern: Nights, Monday – Friday (additional 6th shift, 8 per year on rota) & Sunday to Thursday shifts available.
Average Hours: Up to 48 hours per week (26-week reference period)
Reporting To: Transport Manager

As the flagship UK site for DS Smith Packaging, we operate our own fleet of HGV drivers, delivering high-quality cardboard packaging to blue-chip customers across the UK. Our Transport team is key to our success, and we pride ourselves on inspiring leadership, modern vehicles, and a supportive work environment.

We are currently recruiting Night Shift Class 1 Drivers to join our team, operating modern articulated curtainsider trucks for palletised deliveries and paper reel collections.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely operate Class 1 HGV vehicles in compliance with all traffic laws and company policies.
• Follow designated routes and schedules, ensuring on-time deliveries to customers nationwide.
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections, reporting any defects or maintenance needs.
• Maintain accurate records of deliveries, mileage, fuel usage, and incidents.
• Prepare trailers ready for loading / unloading.
• Communicate professionally with customers, colleagues, and supervisors to resolve delivery queries.
• Adhere to Driver CPC, tachograph, and working time regulations.
• Be available for occasional overnight stays with expenses covered.

About You

Essential Skills & Experience

• Valid Class 1 (C+E) Licence – maximum 3 penalty points.
• Driver CPC Qualification & Digital Tachograph Card.
• Strong knowledge of UK driving regulations (WTD, drivers’ hours, etc.).
• Professional attitude with a strong safety record.
• Reliable, flexible, and a team player with a "can-do" approach.
• Good understanding of UK geography & route planning.
• Working in a physically demanding role.

Desirable (But Not Essential)

• Previous LGV1 driving experience (new entrants also considered).
• Familiarity with warehouse operations and loading equipment.

Working Conditions & Benefits

• Modern, well-maintained fleet (articulated curtainsiders).
• Comprehensive training from our in-house driver trainer.
• Competitive salary (reflecting shift pattern).

Why Join DS Smith Fordham?

• Be part of the UK flagship site with a supportive Transport team.
• Drive modern HGVs with structured routes and schedules.
• Strong safety culture with ongoing training and support.

If you are a professional Class 1 Driver looking for a reliable, long-term role with a leading packaging company, we’d love to hear from you!

We’re DS Smith, a company who are redefining packaging for a changing world. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, proudly employing over 30,000 people, and supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need. Our industry needs to transform, and we’re building the team to drive change across Europe and North America.

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.

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