Forterra Building Products Ltd
Yard Manager - Desford
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Yard Manager
We are currently looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our Desford team in the position of Yard Manager.
This role is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of yard from gate entry to gate exit, including safety, inventory and out the gate performance. It involves strategic planning and operational management, including day-to-day team leadership to ensure efficient, safe, and customer-focused operations. The successful candidate will be proactive, safety-conscious, and committed to continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
Your duties would include but not limited to the following:
Health, Safety, and Environment (SHE)
- Champion a strong health and safety culture across all yard and stockyard operations.
- Lead by example, demonstrating a proactive approach to SHE policies, including the company’s Golden Rules.
- Conduct risk assessments, implement and maintain Safe Systems of Work (SSOW), and ensure these are communicated and followed.
- Complete safety observations and task audits, ensuring all incidents and dangerous occurrences are reported appropriately.
- Maintain compliance with COSHH regulations and ensure team understanding of relevant safety procedures, including lone working and out-of-hours site supervision.
Operational Leadership
- Oversee the daily operations of the yard and associated logistics areas.
- Lead, motivate, and support yard operatives and stockyard teams to deliver high-performance outcomes.
- Maintain high standards of housekeeping and operational discipline across all yard areas.
- Coordinate the movement of finished goods from production through storage to dispatch.
- Manage pre-delivery finishing activities, ensuring all customer requirements are met.
- Develop and implement a site-wide plan to drive yard efficiency while ensuring material availability, inventory accuracy, and high levels of customer service.
- Prevent production downtime by ensuring the timely availability of raw materials and functional mobile plant equipment.
- Sustain optimal inventory turnover and stock rotation to support uninterrupted production.
- Maintain a forward plan for stockyard utilisation and oversee product organisation within families.
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People Management & Development
- Build a collaborative and high-performing team culture through strong leadership, coaching, and communication.
- Communicate company and departmental objectives clearly and regularly via toolbox talks and team briefings.
- Conduct performance appraisals and identify training needs to support continuous team development.
- Manage recruitment, selection, and induction processes for yard and stockyard staff.
- Ensure compliance with disciplinary procedures, timekeeping, and attendance expectations.
Load Cycle Optimisation
- Continually monitor and review the vehicle loading cycle from gate entry to gate exit ensuring optimum times are achieved.
Consignor Responsibilities
- Responsible for ensuring the Consignor is loading the products to the vehicle ensuring it is in a suitable condition for transport and packaged in a way that ensures it is secure.
Load Security and Yard Integrity
- Be satisfied all vehicle exiting site comply with Section 40A Road Traffic Act 1898 and H&S at Work Act (to meet consignor responsibility)
- To ensure that physical yard conditions are suitable to allow safe passage from point of entry through to exit including ground and signage conditions, to include on site traffic such as FLT’S and Yellow Plant
Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure all documentation complies with UK legal requirements, including loading and dispatch documentation weights, load configuration, waste transfer etc.
Control Efficient Site Entry and Exit Experience
- Manage and monitor entry and controls on site of all, employees, contractors, and visitors.
Product Quality
- To manage stock ensuring segregation of Best and Non-Best product are clear both on the yard and on the stock table (JDE).
Product Inventory
- to maintain accurate, auditable stock levels.
Process Improvement & Compliance
- Monitor and control yard-related costs in line with budget and rolling forecasts.
- Continuously identify and implement new techniques, methods, and capital improvement projects.
- Ensure all operational activities reflect the “Customer First” ethos.
- Interface effectively with suppliers and internal departments to support business objectives.
- Maintain and review all departmental checklists and records to ensure compliance and audit readiness.
- Ensure accurate control of all finished goods' location and storage.
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General Duties
- Ensure all employees are adequately trained for their respective tasks and responsibilities.
- Manage and process all required purchase requisitions and documentation accurately.
- Undertake any other reasonable tasks or duties as instructed by Line Management.
- Regularly review and update key accountabilities in line with evolving business needs.
About You
- Strong Leadership and people management skills
- Effective communicator with the ability to engage at all levels.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills
- Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement
- Ability to work proactively and independently in a dynamic environment.
What We Can Offer You
- Competitive Salary and Benefits package
- Life Assurance and Company Pension Scheme up to 10% employer contribution
- Generous holiday allowance
- Gym benefit and Cycle 2 Work Scheme
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme for self and family members
- Employee Referral Scheme
- Service Awards
- Sharesave Scheme eligibility
- Holiday Exchange Scheme
- Financial Wellbeing Program
- Personal development and opportunities for progression
- Company Annual Bonus Scheme
We are a leading manufacturer of a diverse and trusted range of concrete and clay building products used extensively within the construction sector, with instantly recognisable brands including Thermalite block, Bison Precast and the iconic London Brick.
Our complete product range comprises of clay bricks, aircrete blocks, aggregate blocks, precast concrete, flooring products, permeable paving and chimney, roofing, and flue systems.
Forterra’s purpose is to build lasting legacies, manufacturing a range of products from the ground up to support customers with their construction projects.
We are proud to be at the forefront of the industries’ safety standards and are committed to achieving zero harm in our workplaces.
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