Job Description
Job Title: London Zoo Logistics Operative
Section (optional): Logistics
Department: Facilities Management
Directorate: Zoological
Responsible to: Assistant Logistics Manager, ZSL London Zoo
Current job holder: n/a
Approved by:
Head of Department/ Director: Head of Facilities Management
Job Evaluation Committee Reference Number:
Grade Allocated:
Date Allocated:
Job Overview
Key Purpose of the Job
The role of the London Stores Operative is to work within The Facilities Management Department and will be
part of the logistics team primarily within the animal food stores including meat prep, general stores, transport
and post room, there is a high volume of manual handling whilst processing produce, meat, goods and mail,
this has a high frequency of heavy lifting duties especially when lifting bales of hay and straw, duties will
include making deliveries of goods and produce around site using a variety of transport methods, driving a
range of vehicles, occasionally off site and to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, maintaining and cleaning vehicles,
processing mail. The job holder will also oversee contractors when on site.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
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The post holder will work predominately within the Logistics Team at London Zoo and carryout all
duties in-line with relevant policies and procedures.
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The post holder will be required to be able to drive a variety of vehicles and plant e.g. forklift trucks,
tractors, vans, trucks and cars.
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The post holder will be required to undertake duties relating to a mail room, involving sending and
receiving mail, parcels and interacting with couriers and staff.
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To assist with animal moves/collections both internally around site and externally to other Zoo’s.
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To place orders with approved suppliers, this will sometimes involve sourcing an appropriate supplier
and liaising with the procurement team.
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To maintain required stock levels and to ensure stock rotation.
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To liaise with the animal and other departments in relation to animal produce requirements and
deliveries.
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The post holder will be required to carry out lifting some heavy objects as there is a large amount of
manual handling required.
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The post holder will be required to undertake delivering/collecting items from internal and external
locations.
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To prepare food produce for delivery to sections, this will include the preparation of meat flesh, joints
into required sizes e.g. cutting a 5Kg joint into 1 x 3KG and 1 x 2Kg joints.
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To deliver frozen whole chickens, ducks, rabbits, mice, rats, quails, chicks and other produce used by
animal sections.
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The post holder needs to carry out some routine health & safety inspections and record their findings.
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The post holder will be required to carry out cleaning of all areas within their area of work including,
office, general stores, animal food stores, hay loft, meat fridge & freezers.
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To refer any problems to their line managers.
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To ensure that ZSL’s tools and equipment are kept in good order and report any faulty tools or
equipment to their line managers.
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To assist, guide or oversee some non-ZSL personnel whilst on site - these may include contractors,
inspectors or any other personnel as discussed with the Logistics Manager or Assistant Logistics
Manager.
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The post holder will need to ensure that the vehicles are clean and tidy at all times - this will involve
the post holder washing and cleaning vehicles.
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The post holder will also need to carry out other duties which are outside of their general duties;
these will include but are not limited to assisting the Grounds team with snow clearing and with
assisting setting up events or functions.
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The post holder will have to have good knowledge and understanding of using a pc especially
Microsoft Office Software.
Expectations of Job Holder
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To ensure that the policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all
aspects of the post holder’s work.
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To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work
and responsibilities attached to this post.
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Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information.
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To comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to undertake
recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary.
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To comply with and promote Environmental policies and procedures and to undertake
recommended Environmental training as and when necessary.

To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service
training as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.
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To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post.
N.B: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is
not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder
in order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.
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Person Specification
The job holder needs to be able to be flexible and able to work in a variety of conditions and
locations, have a good understanding of using a pc and Microsoft Office applications; they need to
have a high level of physical fitness, able to demonstrate a high level of literacy and numeracy skills,
have a full driving licence with no endorsements with categories up to C1, be able to prepare large
joints of meat and handle a variety of small animals which are used as food.
Qualifications & Experience
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Literacy and numeracy qualifications.
Experience in stock management processes.
Experience in using a mail room franking machine.
When dealing with internal personnel at all levels, the post holder must use tact, diplomacy
and promote a high level of customer care and also with visitors and guests on ZSL sites.
Able to us Microsoft Office applications.
The post holder must ensure that animal welfare is maintained at all times when handling
food stuffs and produce.
Whilst driving, the driver will need to solve problems independently using past experience
and on occasion, help will be sought from the Facilities Department management regarding
unusual problems.
There is a need to be alert at all times, but a particularly high level of concentration is
required when driving e.g. as there are visitors with children and when preparing animal
foodstuffs and produce.
Skills & Abilities
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Able to communicate with a wide variety of people.
Source suppliers of produce and goods.
Able to follow a process and work on their own initiative.
Able to tow trailers.
Good Interpersonal skills working part of a team.
Although the post holder will be working within an agreed framework they will need to
make decisions especially whilst driving and preparing animal foodstuffs
From time to time the post holder is requested to change work priorities. Routine decisions
are made daily, based either on personal experience, own initiative or following discussions
with the Facilities Department management.
Other Requirements
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Full clean driving licence with no endorsements, up to and including category C1. ZSL will
request your DVLA license check code on an ad-hoc basis to check the validity and status of
your driving license.
To work within freezers and fridges.
Able to vary their working day e.g. start at 6am.
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There is also a requirement to work outside of contractual hours, this may involve carrying
out additional duties.
Working Conditions
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The number of interruptions daily is very variable. These are from ZSL staff, guests and
visitors. Depending on priorities, the post holder will either respond immediately or deal
with the matter at a later date. The post holder may be asked to carry out tasks outside of
their general duties.
The post holder is required to carry out driving duties; this may sometimes include adverse
weather conditions and work within a freezer or fridge environment.
They are also exposed to dirt (cleaning vehicles); personal risk (especially with machines),
noise (e.g. machinery) and pollution (e.g. dust).
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