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Forklift Operator (Counterbalance) jobs in the United Kingdom

Counterbalance FLT roles in warehousing and logistics: safe load handling, accurate placement, and clean paperwork. Updated: —

Logistics & Warehousing Entry/Mid Sponsorship likelihood: Low (indicative) Counterbalance FLT
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must already have the right to work in the UK, or apply for a role where sponsorship is genuinely available (this depends on the employer and job design).
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Typical pay snapshot (gross / brutto)

UK forklift pay varies by region, shift pattern, site type (ambient/chilled), and the exact duties (e.g., goods-in, yard work, loading bays). The ranges below are indicative for counterbalance roles.

£13.50–£16.50 per hour (gross) Common day/rotating shift band (indicative)
£17.00+ per hour (gross) Often seen for nights / premium shifts (site-dependent)
~£28,080–£34,320 per year (gross) Approx. 40h/week equivalent from the band above
Important: pay is shown as gross (brutto). Your net pay depends on tax code, pension, and any deductions stated in the contract/payslip.

What you do on site (counterbalance focus)

  • Daily pre-use checks, defect reporting, and truck handover notes (where used).
  • Safe movement of pallets, stillages, or materials through pedestrian-controlled areas.
  • Loading/unloading trailers: stable stacking, secure placement, bay discipline.
  • Put-away, replenishment, and stock rotation as directed by WMS/scanners.
  • Immediate isolation of unsafe loads or damaged pallets; escalation to supervisor.

Duties vary by warehouse (ambient/chilled), product type, and internal traffic systems.

Requirements (detailed)

  • Counterbalance FLT certificate: recognised training/certification for the truck type used on site (some employers require recent refresher).
  • Safety competence: understands stability basics (centre of gravity), speed discipline, and pedestrian segregation.
  • Experience: confident on racking/stacking and loading bays; able to judge load condition and packaging integrity.
  • Accuracy: can follow location codes, labels, and scanner prompts without “shortcuts”.
  • English: enough for safety briefings, signage, and incident/near-miss reporting.
  • Shift readiness: ability to work rotating shifts/weekends if required; punctual and reliable.
  • Right to work: you must have UK work eligibility, unless a specific employer offers sponsorship for this role (rare).
Practical note: many sites will assess you with a short on-truck evaluation (checks + a simple load move + controlled stacking).

Short candidate portrait

You are a steady operator who protects people, product, and racking. You do not rush corners, you do not “guess” load safety, and you keep the bay tidy because you know congestion causes accidents.

  • Calm under throughput targets; prioritises safe moves over speed.
  • Checks forks, tyres, horn, lights, seatbelt, and hydraulic response without being prompted.
  • Communicates early when a pallet is unsafe or a location is blocked.
  • Comfortable with scanners/WMS prompts and simple paperwork.
  • Accepts feedback and follows the site’s traffic rules exactly.

How this job feels (realistic preview)

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A typical shift pattern (examples)

  • Days: 06:00–14:00 / 08:00–16:30
  • Rotating: 06:00–14:00 + 14:00–22:00
  • Nights: 22:00–06:00 (premium rate may apply)

Exact patterns are site-specific. Some roles include weekends and bank-holiday cover.

Day plan (safety-first workflow)

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Next step: upload a CV and include your certificate type, truck experience, and shift availability. We match your profile to live UK demand.

Working conditions in the UK (practical overview)

Paid holiday Statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks (28 days for a 5-day worker). Bank holidays may be included depending on contract.
Breaks & rest If you work more than 6 hours, you are entitled to at least a 20-minute uninterrupted rest break (timing depends on the shift plan).
Working time 48 hours/week is the usual average maximum (typically averaged over a reference period). Some workers sign an opt-out by agreement.

Warehousing commonly uses shift systems, overtime peaks, and productivity KPIs. Always read the contract for: paid/unpaid breaks, overtime rules, shift allowance, and any role-specific deductions.

FAQ (Counterbalance FLT)

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