General Operative Production & Operations · Holcim Specialist Sands, Silica Sand Quarry

Holcim UK Limited; Leighton Buzzard; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction materials company is seeking a General Operative at their Leighton Buzzard site to work with specialized sands. This position includes operating unique equipment in a close-knit team and offers the opportunity for training and career progression. Candidates should have a positive attitude and good communication skills, with experience being a plus. This role not only supports the dredging operation but also contributes to the sustainable construction mission of the company.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus opportunities

25 days holiday

Enhanced family benefits

Career progression opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• A genuine willingness to learn and grow.
• Experience in a similar environment is a bonus.
• Ability to use your initiative.

Responsibilities

• Operate mobile and fixed plant for quarry operations.
• Support the dredging operation.
• Carry out product quality checks.
• Help dispatch products efficiently and safely.
• Maintain safety standards across the site.

Skills

Positive attitude

Good communication skills

Teamwork skills

Organizational skills

Tools

Dredger

Loading shovel

Dump truck

Weighbridge

Job description

About Holcim

We are leaders in supplying innovative, sustainable building solutions to the UK construction industry; building progress for people and the planet.

Since 1858, we’ve helped shape the UK; powering the construction of homes and hospitals, roads and railways, schools and cities alike.

Our mission is to make sustainable construction a reality, through purposeful action that tackles real carbon and climate challenges. We are dedicated to helping Britain grow and thrive - by doing the right thing, doing it together, and making a difference.

Holcim UK Company Benefits

• Competitive Salary, plus bonus, 25 days holiday + your local bank holidays (with options to increase) and other benefits - all recognising the contribution you bring

• Be valued and supported, working as part of a highly respected team in a business that has a huge focus on Health & Safety

• We care about you and your family. That’s why we offer enhanced family benefits, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. We understand that your personal life and family well-being are just as important as your career, so we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.

• Be part of something bigger with our "Women Empowered - Stronger Together Mentor Program," designed to support, inspire, and uplift women across the business.

• Free 24/7 remote GP service for you and your household, offering medical advice, prescriptions, referrals, and same-day appointments.

• Opportunities for career progression both at home and abroad

• Join our affinity groups selected by and populated by our employees which bring together employees with similar backgrounds and interests to have powerful influence on the workplace

• Staff discounts including special rates for garden landscaping products

The Opportunity

Step into a truly unique role with Holcim Specialist Sands at our Leighton Buzzard site as a General Operative. This isn’t your average plant job—you’ll be working with some of the most specialist and sought-after sand in the UK, playing a key part in an operation that includes one-of-a-kind equipment like our dredging operation. If you're looking for a hands-on role with variety, training, and the chance to work with unique materials in a close-knit, high-performing team, this is it.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Work in our Specialist Sands division, where our high-grade sand supports industries from construction to manufacturing—this isn’t just sand, it’s precision-engineered material.
  

• Be part of a small but mighty team with the backing of Holcim, a global leader in sustainable construction.
  

• Gain experience with both mobile and fixed plant, including rare hands-on involvement with a dredger—a unique opportunity in UK quarrying.
  

• Learn, grow, and progress your career with structured support and real opportunities for advancement both locally and internationally.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Operate a range of mobile and fixed plant (such as loading shovels, dump trucks, and weighbridges).
  

• Support our dredging operation—a stand-out feature of our site that sets this role apart from other general operative positions.
  

• Carry out product quality checks to ensure the sand meets the highest specifications.
  

• Help dispatch our products efficiently and safely while contributing to the day-to-day running of the quarry and plant.
  

• Maintain high standards of safety and housekeeping across the site.
  

What You’ll Bring:

• A positive, can-do attitude with a genuine willingness to learn and grow.
  

• Great communication and teamwork skills—you’ll be part of a tight-knit and supportive team.
  

• Good organisation and the ability to use your own initiative.
  

• Experience in a similar environment and operating plant and customer service skills is a bonus—but if you're enthusiastic and ready to learn, we’ll train you.

We are committed to building a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. You will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.