Collection and Delivery Driver - 3.5 Tonne
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
Company Description
Location: DPD Southampton, Unit 1, Site D, Hamilton Business Park, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2JR
Ready to ditch the desk and get moving? Join DPD, the company leading the charge to become the UK’s most sustainable delivery partner. We aren’t just moving parcels; we’re leveraging cutting-edge green tech and eco-friendly logistics to change the game.
We are looking for 3.5 Tonne Drivers who are ready to be the face of our brand and provide a first-class delivery experience.
The Perks
- Pay Rate: £13.00 per hour + enhanced overtime rates.
- Stability & Growth: Genuine career progression as we promote from within. Start in the warehouse, move into management just like many of our current leaders have.
- Extra Time Off: Milestone Days to celebrate life’s big moments + Holiday Trading.
- Wellbeing First: Free Unum "Help@Hand" 24/7 health services for you and your family.
- Big Discounts: Save up to 5% on your weekly grocery shop and at 100s of top retailers.
- Financial Peace of Mind: Free Life Assurance (4x salary).
The Role:
- Contract Type: Permanent 40 Hours Per Week
- Days of Work: Monday to Friday
- Hours of Work: 09:00 to 17:30
Job Description
The Tasks: What Your Day Looks Like
As a DPD Driver, you are the final, vital link between us and our customers. Your day is active, varied, and tech-integrated:
- Vehicle Prep & Loading: Start your shift by conducting daily vehicle safety checks. You’ll then take charge of your morning load, organising your parcels into your van to ensure maximum efficiency for your specific route.
- Route Mastery: Use our top-tier handheld technology to navigate your territory. Our software doesn't just give you a map; it provides "predict" windows for customers, making your journey smoother and more professional.
- Customer Interaction: You are the face of DPD. You’ll be delivering smiles and parcels directly to doorsteps, providing a friendly, professional service that keeps our customers coming back.
- Problem Solving on the Go: Whether it's finding a "safe place" or navigating a tricky apartment complex, you’ll use your local knowledge and our tech to ensure a successful first-time delivery.
- Safe Handling: You will be responsible for the security of your vehicle and the items within it, safely handling parcels (some weighing up to 25kg) from the depot to the final destination.
Qualifications
Are You a Match?
- You’ve held a valid UK Driving Licence for at least 12 months.
- You’re physically fit (can handle parcels up to 30kg).
- You’re a "people person" who's professional and reliable and you care about the service you deliver
- You’re comfortable navigating local roads and using handheld devices.
Additional Information
What’s In It For You?
We know there’s more to life than just a paycheck. We invest in our people so they can invest in us.
- Work-Life Balance: Reliable schedules to help you plan your life outside of work.
- Big Perks: Access to our rewards platform with discounts at 100s of retailers (that 5% off your weekly grocery shop really adds up!).
- Wellness First: Your health matters. Enjoy access to Vitality at Work, mental health support, and Unum Help@Hand—offering 24/7 health services for you and your family.
- Celebration Days: We want to celebrate with you! Take "Milestone Days" off for life’s big moments, including your Birthday.
- Growth & Development: We don’t just hire; we promote. Many of our managers started behind the wheel. If you have the drive, we have the path.
DPD is a Disability Confident Employer and a member of the Valuable 500. We value your unique perspective. To find out why DPD is a great place to work for everyone please click on the following link - You & DPD
#LI-DNP
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
🚛 Emphasise your 3.5 tonne driving experience prominently as DPD specifically requires this vehicle category expertise
📱 Highlight experience with handheld technology or route planning software as DPD uses top-tier tech for delivery optimisation
💪 Mention your physical capability to handle parcels up to 30kg safely as this is a key requirement for the role
🎯 Showcase your customer service skills and reliability as DPD positions drivers as 'the face of the brand'
📍 Include knowledge of Southampton and surrounding areas as local navigation skills are valued for efficient deliveries
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Operated 3.5 tonne delivery vehicles across 15 postcode areas, achieving 98% first-time delivery rate through efficient route planning and customer communication
- •Safely handled parcels up to 30kg daily while maintaining zero damage claims across 200+ weekly deliveries in Southampton region
- •Conducted comprehensive vehicle safety checks and used handheld tracking technology to optimise delivery schedules, reducing average route time by 12%
Free to copy — tailoring requires a 30-sec CV upload.
Your cover letter is ready
We've drafted a cover letter for DPD. Preview the opening, then unlock the full personalised version.
Letter preview — tailored to DPD
Dear Hiring Manager,
DPD's commitment to sustainable delivery and cutting-edge logistics technology makes this 3.5 tonne driver position exactly the career move I'm seeking. With my valid UK driving licence and experience handling parcels up to 30kg, I'm ready to be the professional face of DPD's Southampton operations.
My background in customer-facing delivery roles has equipped me with the reliability and problem-solving skills essential for first-time delivery success. I understand the importance of vehicle safety checks, efficient route planning, and maintaining the security of parcels from depot to doorstep.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How would you conduct daily vehicle safety checks on a 3.5 tonne van?
- ›Describe your experience using handheld devices for route planning and delivery tracking
- ›How would you organise parcels in your van for maximum delivery efficiency?
- ›What safety procedures would you follow when handling parcels up to 30kg?
- ›How do you ensure vehicle security when making multiple delivery stops?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time when you had to solve a delivery problem on your own
- ›Describe a situation where you provided excellent customer service under pressure
- ›How do you handle difficult customers or delivery situations?
- ›Give an example of when you had to adapt your route due to unexpected circumstances
- ›Tell me about a time when you had to maintain professionalism while representing a company brand
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time when you had to solve a delivery problem on your own
Describe a situation where you provided excellent customer service under pressure