Leeds is one of the UK's fastest-growing logistics and food distribution hubs, with dozens of counterbalance FLT operator vacancies opening every week across catering supply depots, brewery warehouses, cold-store facilities, and hospitality distribution centres. At Team Catering Jobs, we specialise in connecting certified, experienced counterbalance forklift operators with the very best employers across Leeds and West Yorkshire — quickly, professionally, and at competitive pay rates.
Whether you are actively seeking your next catering or warehouse role in Leeds, returning to forklift work after a break, or a business urgently requiring qualified FLT operators to keep your supply chain moving — this is the definitive guide to counterbalance FLT vacancies in Leeds in 2025.
What Is a Counterbalance FLT Operator & Why Are They Vital to Leeds' Catering Sector?
A counterbalance forklift truck (FLT) operator drives and operates a counterbalance fork lift — the most common type of forklift, identifiable by its open, rear-weighted chassis designed to balance heavy loads without side-stabilisers. In the catering and hospitality supply chain, counterbalance FLT operators are the backbone of warehouse logistics, ensuring that palletised food products, catering equipment, beverages, and kitchen consumables flow seamlessly from supplier to kitchen.
🏭 Key Sectors Recruiting FLT Operators in Leeds
🍕 Food Distribution Centres
🍺 Brewery & Drinks Warehouses
❄️ Cold-Store & Chilled Facilities
🍽️ Catering Equipment Depots
🏪 Wholesale & Cash-&-Carry
🎪 Event & Festival Logistics
Leeds' strategic position at the centre of the M62 motorway corridor and its thriving hospitality and night-time economy means demand for skilled FLT operators has grown by over 28% in the past two years. From the East Leeds Distribution Park to the White Rose Retail Park logistics hub, opportunities for qualified counterbalance operators are at an all-time high.
Current Counterbalance FLT Vacancies in Leeds — Live Roles 2025
The following roles represent a snapshot of active counterbalance FLT vacancies currently being filled by Team Catering Jobs across Leeds. All positions pay above the National Minimum Wage and require a valid RTITB or ITSSAR counterbalance licence.
| Job Title | Location (LS/BD) | Type | Pay/Hr | Start | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counterbalance FLT Op — Food DC | LS10 — Hunslet | Temp→Perm | £14.50 | Immediate | Apply |
| FLT Operator — Cold Store (Nights) | LS27 — Morley | Permanent | £16.00 | 1 Week Notice | Apply |
| Counterbalance Op — Drinks Warehouse | LS11 — Beeston | Temp | £13.80 | Immediate | Apply |
| Senior FLT Op — Catering Supplies DC | LS9 — East Leeds | Permanent | £16.80 | 2 Weeks | Apply |
| FLT Counterbalance — Wholesale Market | LS12 — Armley | Temp | £13.50 | Immediate | Apply |
| FLT Op — Event Catering Logistics | LS2 — Leeds City Centre | Contract | £15.00 | June 2025 | Apply |
| Counterbalance FLT — School Meals DC | LS14 — Seacroft | Permanent | £14.20 | Immediate | Apply |
| FLT Op — Hospital Catering Supply | LS7 — Chapel Allerton | Temp→Perm | £14.80 | Immediate | Apply |
| Counterbalance Op — Packaging | LS25 — Garforth | Contract | £15.50 | 1 Week | Apply |
| FLT Op — Bakery Distribution | LS26 — Rothwell | Permanent | £14.00 | Immediate | Apply |
| Counterbalance FLT — Retail Catering | LS11 — White Rose | Temp | £13.60 | Immediate | Apply |
| FLT Lead — Multi-Temp Warehouse | LS28 — Pudsey | Permanent | £17.00 | 2 Weeks | Apply |
Key Duties & Responsibilities of a Counterbalance FLT Operator in Leeds
Every counterbalance FLT vacancy in Leeds will include a core set of duties, though specifics vary by employer and sector. When recruited through Team Catering Jobs, you'll receive a fully detailed job description before your first shift. Here is a representative overview:
⚙️ Operational Duties
- Loading and unloading delivery vehicles
- Moving palletised stock around the warehouse
- Placing goods into racking at height
- Order picking and put-away operations
- Stock rotation — FIFO / FEFO compliance
- Wrapping and labelling pallets
✅ Safety & Compliance
- Pre-shift vehicle safety checks (PUWER)
- Adhering to HSE workplace transport guidelines
- Food hygiene compliance in food-grade areas
- Maintaining clear pedestrian walkways
- Reporting defects and near-misses promptly
- Supporting warehouse H&S audits
Requirements & Qualifications for Leeds FLT Vacancies
To be considered for counterbalance FLT vacancies in Leeds through Team Catering Jobs, candidates should meet the following criteria. Meeting all requirements gives you the strongest application, though some employers offer on-site training and refresher courses for the right candidate.
📋 Essential Requirements
Valid RTITB or ITSSAR counterbalance licence — the industry standard recognised by all Leeds employers
Minimum 6 months' recent operating experience on a counterbalance forklift in a commercial setting
Right to work in the UK — full documentation required prior to placement
Physical fitness for manual handling and extended periods of driving
Strong H&S awareness and commitment to a safe working environment
Reliable timekeeping — particularly important for early-morning food distribution shifts
⭐ Desirable (Will Strengthen Your Application)
Food hygiene Level 2 certificate · Experience with WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) · Reach truck or PPT licence as secondary qualification · Goods-inwards or dispatch experience · Willingness to work rotating shifts or nights
The RTITB (Road Transport Industry Training Board) and ITSSAR (Industrial Truck and Specialist Skills Assessment Register) are the two bodies whose qualifications are accepted across all Leeds employers. Both comply fully with HSE guidelines on lift truck operation.
Pay Rates & Benefits for Counterbalance FLT Operators in Leeds
Counterbalance FLT operators are in strong demand across Leeds, which means wages have risen competitively. Every role placed through Team Catering Jobs pays above the National Minimum Wage, with many roles offering significantly higher rates depending on experience and shift pattern.
Additional Benefits Commonly Offered by Leeds Employers
Depending on the employer and contract type, counterbalance FLT vacancies in Leeds may include: paid holiday (28 days pro-rata for permanent roles), pension enrolment (auto-enrolment), free or subsidised on-site parking, PPE provision, overtime at enhanced rates (typically 1.25x–1.5x), and clear pathways to promotion into warehouse team leader or shift supervisor roles. Some food distribution employers also offer staff food discounts.
Case Studies: FLT Placements That Made a Difference in Leeds
📊 Case Study 01
Leeds Festival Catering Operator — Urgent 72-Hour Brief
Challenge: A major Leeds festival caterer needed 4 licensed counterbalance FLT operators at 72 hours' notice after a contractor withdrew, with 18 pallets of chilled catering stock due for arrival.
Solution: Team Catering Jobs activated our Leeds FLT operator pool, shortlisted and safety-checked 6 candidates within 12 hours, and placed 4 fully compliant operators with 24 hours to spare.
✅ 4 operators placed in under 24 hours
✅ Zero stock spoilage — all deliveries received on time
✅ Client retained 2 operators for permanent event contracts
📊 Case Study 02
Contract Catering DC — Permanent FLT Team Build in West Yorkshire
Challenge: A rapidly expanding contract catering distributor in Morley, Leeds needed to build a 6-person permanent counterbalance FLT team from scratch within 5 weeks.
Solution: We ran a targeted West Yorkshire campaign across our network, screened 34 applicants, conducted 18 practical assessments, and delivered 6 fully vetted permanent hires — all with cold-store experience.
✅ 6 permanent hires delivered 3 days ahead of schedule
✅ 100% retention at 6-month review
✅ Client saved 22% vs. previous agency fees
What Our Candidates & Employers Say
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"Team Catering Jobs found me a permanent counterbalance FLT role at a food distribution centre in Hunslet within two days. The pay was better than I was expecting and the consultant was honest throughout. Brilliant service."
— Marcus T. · FLT Operator, Leeds LS10
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"As a warehouse manager, finding reliable FLT ops is always stressful. Team Catering Jobs sent us three qualified counterbalance operators within 24 hours of calling. All three passed our practical and started the very next day."
— Joanne H. · Warehouse Manager, Morley Cold Store
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"I'd been out of FLT work for eight months. The team at Catering Jobs didn't just find me a temp role — they helped me prepare for the practical assessment and I've since been offered a permanent position. Couldn't ask for more."
— Darnell O. · Senior FLT Op, East Leeds
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We use Catering Jobs for all our warehouse and FLT staffing in Leeds. Their understanding of food-grade compliance requirements is second to none. Every candidate arrives with the correct documentation. Excellent agency."
— Rachel P. · Operations Director, Leeds Food Logistics
Why Leeds Is the UK's Leading City for Counterbalance FLT Opportunities
Leeds is not just the UK's most exciting culinary destination outside London — it is also a nationally significant logistics hub. With the M62, M1, and A1(M) all converging within minutes of the city centre, Leeds hosts dozens of major food distribution operations serving the whole of the North of England.
Leeds City Council's ongoing investment in South Bank regeneration and new commercial and industrial zones has attracted major food production and distribution companies to the region, all of whom regularly recruit counterbalance FLT operators. In 2024, West Yorkshire saw a 31% year-on-year increase in FLT operator job postings, making it one of the UK's strongest markets for forklift professionals.
You can also explore related logistics and warehouse roles through our sister brands, including Workers Direct and Staff Direct, who together place thousands of warehouse and logistics operatives across West Yorkshire each year.
🔗 Explore More Catering & Hospitality Opportunities in Leeds & Beyond
Conclusion: Your Next Counterbalance FLT Role in Leeds Starts Here
Leeds' booming food, drink, and catering supply sector is creating a steady pipeline of counterbalance FLT vacancies — from cold-store night shifts and food distribution day roles to event catering contracts and permanent senior operator positions. The demand shows no signs of slowing, and wages are rising to reflect the skills and reliability required.
At Team Catering Jobs, we do more than just match CVs to job descriptions. We understand the pressures of catering logistics, the compliance demands of food-grade warehousing, and the importance of placing the right operator in the right environment — every time. Whether you are a first-time temporary worker or an experienced FLT team lead looking for a step up, we have the Leeds network and the industry knowledge to get you placed fast.
Ready to apply? Browse the live counterbalance FLT vacancies above, call our team on 020 3086 9080, or submit your CV at catering.jobs. We aim to respond within 24 hours and can have you working within days.
Apply for Counterbalance FLT Vacancies in Leeds Today
Immediate starts available · Above NMW pay rates · RTITB & ITSSAR roles · Full compliance support
📞 020 3086 9080 | 24/7: +44 333 2422 711 | 344–348 High Road, Ilford IG1 1QP
Frequently Asked Questions — Counterbalance FLT Vacancies in Leeds
Team Catering Jobs — Leeds FLT Recruitment Specialists
344–348 High Road, Ilford IG1 1QP | Serving Leeds & West Yorkshire Nationwide
