Delivering more than just shopping

We call our drivers ‘Customer Service Team Members’ or CSTM’s so if you see this referenced this is what we mean. Whether you join us as a Zoom Delivery team member (on an ebike) or as a Delivery Driver, a key part of your role will be to deliver exceptional customer service with a smile to all our customers. No two days are ever the same – you could be delivering for Ocado Retail or on behalf of Morrisons - in a City Centre or out on the open roads - what we will guarantee is that you will get to meet a few regular customers along the way and will spend a lot of time on the road. We offer safe working conditions, train all of our drivers comprehensively and load your totes into your van before you even leave the depot – so with the help of our technology you can achieve your end goals as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible. Follow us on LinkedIn or view some of the videos of the sites, to see some behind the scenes insights from some of our drivers on what they love about their roles.

On average our drivers can cover 200 miles on an 8-hour route up to 300+ on a 10-hour route – depending on the site location. ‘Turnarounds’ are mainly on 10-hour routes – which means you cover shorter mileage, but you require 2 vanloads – which is double the work.

We pride ourselves on trying to offer you competitive pay and top-notch benefits that we monitor and update regularly. So, whether that’s discounts on your shopping, online health support for you and your family or a pre payday access to your finances we believe the benefits are pretty decent. There are also occasions where you might finish early (and it could be up to a couple of hours before the end of your shift) and you get to go home safe in the knowledge that you are going to be paid for your entire shift.

Our CSTM’s or drivers are mostly contracted to work 40 hours per week - but we do offer part time shifts in some of our locations. Your van departure is always scheduled for at least 11 minutes after your start time. Van returns can be anything from a few minutes to 15 minutes before the end of your shift.

We know life is busy and you might need to schedule childcare or rearrange personal activities, so we share the roster 13 weeks in advance, 4 times a year in line with the seasonal calendar – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Full time shifts are either 8 or 10 hours – and unless you run into additional problems on route – such as a breakdown or an accident or traffic which can’t be helped you will be able to complete your drops within your allocated shift.

You could be responsible for physically moving up to 927kg worth of shopping – that’s a fair few tins of beans, to the customers door in one shift. So, whilst the bags are picked, packed and loaded into your van you will need to be prepared to lift heavy grocery shopping bags. Over a 5-day week that’s almost 1 tonne of groceries!

Sadly, its not possible to omit certain products from grocery orders dependent on who is making the delivery, and it can and will include alcohol and meat. So, you must be over 18 to apply and prepared to handle such items.

You will need to have held your licence and have 12 months driving experience. We really value some experience in a customer facing role as whilst you will be taught how to drive the van and what to do in difficult situations should they arise – experience on engaging members of the public and delivering personalised service with kindness and empathy are paramount.

You are likely to always be solo, and this surprises those who are new to the company as you will be expected to go out in the van solo from week 1. As a new starter you will be given shorter routes and longer time periods to complete your deliveries. Typically, new starters are given 20 minutes to complete an order but by the end of week 12 this will have dropped to the standard allocation of approximately 4 minutes as you become more proficient and confident in your ability.

We have a very open and honest culture at Ocado Logistics and work hard to foster a sense of belonging where you are encouraged to bring your real self to work. We have individuals from all walks of life, and we understand starting any new role can be a frightening experience, but we will do our best to make sure you are welcomed and you will find all of our drivers are straight talking, honest, friendly individuals.

This can vary depending on your preferences, but some choose to arrive up to 30 minutes beforehand to catch up with other drivers or their Manager. Then you would clock in using the handscan, check the board to find out which bay your van is waiting in and head on out. You then complete your van checks; make sure you have everything you need and then head on out. Once out on route you move through your deliveries safely, if traffic hits as it inevitably does, we ask that you contact the customer to keep them informed and advise of any potential delay. Once you have completed your route for the day you check back in, fill the van with fuel, check in with a Marshal who will advise you where to park, clock out and head home!

Different sites cover different areas, and it could vary greatly. However, 8-hour drives are to be expected (once you have passed your probation) and you could be covering anything from 50-200+ miles per shift – over 300 on 10-hour drives. So, you must be comfortable with your own company and love driving but the plus side is you can be in charge of the radio channel and sing as loud as you want.

Our tech is incredibly easy to use and intuitive, you each have a handheld and a mobile phone. Your handheld has one button to help aid navigation to your next orders and another you press to say you have arrived and are starting your delivery. Then you scan the totes or boxes to allocate your customers shopping, deliver with a smile and possibly a conversation – put your totes away in the back of the van, put your seatbelt on and safely get on your way.

As standard if you are on an 8-hour route you will have a 20-minute break loaded into your route, a 30 minute break on a 10 hour route. If it doesn’t suit your timings, you are welcome to change the time of your break so long as it doesn’t negatively impact your deliveries and all breaks are paid.