This Dairy Warehouse Operative job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Forklift Driver, Cold Store Operative, Despatch Operative or Picker Packer. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.
| Job title | Dairy Warehouse Operative |
| Also known as | Forklift Driver, Cold Store Operative, Despatch Operative, Picker Packer |
| Department | Procurement, supply chain and logistics |
| Reports to | Warehouse Team Leader |
| Direct reports | None |
What does a Dairy Warehouse Operative do?
Receives, stores, picks and despatches chilled and frozen dairy products so the right stock reaches customers on time and in good condition. Protects the cold chain through regular temperature checks, careful handling and strict stock rotation.
Dairy Warehouse Operative duties and responsibilities
Receiving and storage
- Unload incoming product and packaging and check quantities against the delivery paperwork
- Check product temperatures, dates and pallet condition on arrival and report anything outside limits
- Put stock away in the correct chilled or frozen location and scan it into the warehouse system
- Rotate stock on a first-expiry, first-out (FEFO) basis
- Help with stock counts and report any differences
Picking and despatch
- Pick customer orders accurately using a scanner or pick list
- Build stable, correctly labelled pallets and wrap them securely
- Check each load against the order and paperwork before it leaves
- Check vehicle temperature and cleanliness before loading
- Load vehicles in the agreed order to protect product and suit the delivery route
Cold chain and food safety
- Record cold store, chiller and product temperatures at the set times
- Report temperature alarms, door faults and equipment failures at once
- Quarantine and clearly label damaged, out-of-date or held stock
- Keep the warehouse clean and tidy and follow the cleaning schedule
- Follow food safety, hygiene and allergen rules at all times
Equipment and safety
- Operate forklifts, reach trucks and pallet trucks safely and only within your training
- Carry out pre-use checks on equipment and report faults
- Follow safe systems of work for cold stores, racking and loading bays
- Wear the correct cold store PPE and follow time limits in frozen areas
- Report accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions without delay
Dairy Warehouse Operative qualifications and experience
Essential
- Good basic reading, writing and number skills
- Some warehouse, distribution or food industry experience, or a clear willingness to learn
- Forklift or reach truck certificate, or willingness to train for one
- Understanding of why food hygiene and temperature control matter
- Willingness to work shifts, including early starts, nights and weekends on a rota
Desirable
- Experience in a chilled or frozen food warehouse
- Experience using handheld scanners and a warehouse management system
- Basic food hygiene certificate
- Experience of FEFO stock rotation
Skills and attributes
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Safe, careful use of warehouse equipment
- Good time management
- Clear communication with the team
- Reliability and punctuality
- Basic computer and scanner use
- Teamwork
How success is measured
- Order picking accuracy
- Loads despatched on time
- Temperature checks completed and recorded on schedule
- No stock written off through poor rotation or handling damage
- Stock count accuracy
- No accidents or equipment damage
Working conditions and safety
Shift work, including early starts, nights and weekends on a rota, in chilled areas and sub-zero frozen stores. The work involves standing, walking, bending and lifting for much of the shift, and insulated clothing and PPE are provided.
- Follow health and safety rules and safe systems of work, and wear the correct PPE
- Follow food safety, hygiene, HACCP and quality procedures at all times
- Report hazards, accidents, near misses and concerns promptly
Dairy Warehouse Operative interview questions
Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy Warehouse Operative role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.
- What does FEFO mean, and how would you use it when putting away and picking chilled dairy products?
What a good answer shows: Explains first-expiry, first-out, checks dates, places shorter-dated stock to be picked first, and never buries older stock. - What checks would you make when receiving a chilled delivery?
What a good answer shows: Quantities against paperwork, product and vehicle temperatures, dates, pallet and packaging condition, and reporting anything wrong before accepting. - Tell us about your forklift or reach truck experience. What do you check before using one?
What a good answer shows: Is honest about experience and names pre-use checks such as brakes, horn, forks, chains, hydraulics, tyres and battery. - How do you build a pallet that arrives at the customer safe and undamaged?
What a good answer shows: Heavy items at the bottom, even stacking, no overhang, secure wrapping, correct labels, and a final check against the order. - Why does temperature control matter for dairy products, and how do you help keep the cold chain intact?
What a good answer shows: Links temperature to food safety and shelf life; mentions fast loading, closed doors, regular checks and reporting problems straight away. - What hazards are there in a busy cold store, and how do you stay safe?
What a good answer shows: Names moving vehicles, pedestrians, cold exposure, slippery floors, racking and loading bays; follows PPE, time limits and safe routes. - How do you make sure you arrive on time and ready for early or night shifts?
What a good answer shows: Has practical routines for rest and travel, gives early notice of problems, and can point to a dependable attendance record. - Tell us about a time you helped your team meet a busy deadline.
What a good answer shows: Gives a real example, shows willingness to pitch in, communicates well and puts the team result first. - While picking, you find a pallet with damaged packs and a past date. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Stops picking from it, quarantines and labels it, tells the team leader, records it, and picks good stock instead. - The lorry is due to leave and your order is two cases short. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Checks the system and other locations quickly, tells the team leader at once, and never sends a wrong load without agreement.
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Frequently asked questions
Receives, stores, picks and despatches chilled and frozen dairy products so the right stock reaches customers on time and in good condition. Protects the cold chain through regular temperature checks, careful handling and strict stock rotation.
Employers usually look for: good basic reading, writing and number skills; some warehouse, distribution or food industry experience, or a clear willingness to learn; forklift or reach truck certificate, or willingness to train for one.
A Dairy Warehouse Operative usually reports to the Warehouse Team Leader.
Yes. Download the free Word template, add your location, contract and salary details, and adapt the duties to your site. You can then advertise the role on Dairy Jobs.
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