Class 2 Driver, Swinton

 

Curious about life behind the wheel? Steven, one of our Class 2 drivers, talks about the role and what it means to be part of the team.

 

 

Q: Let’s start with your story – how did you get here? 

A: I left school in 2000 and worked as a panel beater before becoming a bakery manager at Asda. In 2020 i enrolled on a HGV course and passed first time. I posted my CV online and was contacted by Beesley and Fildes, and the rest is history!

 

Q: What does your role involve? 

A: My role is a key part of keeping the business moving, i make sure my vehicle is clean, safe and roadworthy with daily checks, securing every load properly and delivering goods to customers across the region. I stay in close contact with our customers throughout the day – both in person and over the phone – and always follow road and traffic laws to ensure every delivery is done right.

 

Q:  What does your general day look like? 

A: After arriving at work and having the compulsory brew and clocking on, I collect the keys from the office and put my tacho card in. I then use the Electronic Defect App as I go around and check for any defects. I then check the ratchet straps from the night before to ensure that they are still in place and once I am happy that the vehicle is safe I’m ready for my first delivery.

My first delivery may be to a building site so i locate the contractor and he advises me where to offload. The customer then checks and signs for his delivery and I’m on to my next drop. My next drop may be to a private address and when I arrive the customer may not be home so I will phone the customer and they advise that they are happy for me to drop it – I offload as instructed. Because the customer is not home I take photographs using the Delivery App – these will act as POD. I then head back to the yard to get loaded for my next run.

After taking my Tacho break and having some hard earned lunch, I check and secure my load and then head back out. This time it may be all residential customers that I deliver to, before heading back to the yard to refuel and get loaded for tomorrows runs.

Once I am loaded for the morning, I will check my delivery notes against the materials that are loaded, then I check all of my paperwork from todays deliveries have been received and uploaded before getting ready to head home for the day.

 

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job? 

A: One of my favourite things about my job is that it is always interesting: Whilst out and about on the road you never really know what is coming next so the job calls for constant decision making, thinking and planning to get the job done. I am never doing the same thing twice. The team at Swinton branch are great and we all get on well which makes it a really good place to work.

 

 

Steven’s journey shows how determination and adaptability can lead to a rewarding career in logistics. From early starts and crane drops to customer calls and compliance checks, no two days are the same – and that’s exactly what he loves! With a strong team behind him and the freedom to make decisions on the road, Steven plays a vital role in keeping Beesley and Fildes moving.