Lawsons: General Operative / Painter Opportunity

Lawsons is the UK’s largest independent supplier of timber, fencing and building materials. With over 35 branches and 700+ colleagues across London and the South East, we deliver quality products, expert advice and excellent customer service. We are recruiting for a General Operative / Painter to be based at our Colney Heath Steels branch to join a busy local team that supports trade and retail customers.

Position Overview

We are seeking a reliable, safety-conscious and skilled General Operative / Painter on a permanent basis. This hands-on role involves preparing, painting and finishing steel products, carrying out general operative duties in the yard and workshop, and supporting the branch team to ensure timely, high-quality service for our customers. The successful candidate will combine practical painting expertise with good attention to health & safety, teamwork and a customer-focused attitude.

Main Responsibilities

• Prepare steel surfaces for painting, including cleaning, degreasing, sanding, grit blasting or other surface preparation methods as required.
• Apply paint, primers, coatings and protective finishes using brushes, rollers, spray equipment or other appropriate methods to achieve consistent, high-quality results.
• Mix and prepare paint and coatings to specified ratios, ensuring correct coverage and finish while minimising waste.
• Inspect finished work for quality, completeness and adherence to specifications; rectify defects and touch up as necessary to meet company standards.
• Undertake general operative duties in the yard and workshop including loading and unloading materials, moving stock, basic fabrication support and packaging finished items for dispatch.
• Operate mechanical handling equipment (e.g., pallet trucks, forklifts) where authorised and trained; ensure safe use and daily checks are completed.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe working area; ensure tools, equipment and materials are stored correctly to prevent damage and reduce risk.
• Follow all health & safety procedures, including use of PPE, COSHH guidance for handling paints and solvents, and reporting hazards or incidents promptly.
• Assist colleagues with general branch duties when required and support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency and customer service.
• Complete and maintain accurate records and paperwork related to jobs, materials used, and quality checks as required by the branch.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by your line manager to support branch performance and customer satisfaction.