If your current job has you staring into the middle distance every time somebody says "quick catch-up", help may be at hand.

This week's local vacancies cover finance, engineering, healthcare, management and driving. There are jobs for early birds, night owls and those rare, impressive people who understand machinery without first giving it a hopeful kick.

Here are 18 positions available around Street, Wells, Shepton Mallet and Castle Cary.

Tell people how to do their jobs — professionally

Clarks is recruiting a Learning and Development Specialist at its Street headquarters. The job involves designing and delivering training across the company's retail, corporate and distribution teams.

The successful applicant will work with the Global Head of Learning and Development and colleagues across the business. In short, you will be paid to help people improve at work, rather than dispensing unsolicited advice beside the kettle for free.

Take charge of some serious numbers

Clarks also needs a Head of Commercial Finance for the UK and rest of Europe. This is a senior leadership position for somebody who can combine financial knowledge with commercial strategy as the company continues to change and strengthen its European business. It is not a traditional finance role, according to Clarks. Presumably, then, the calculator has been replaced by something more exciting. Possibly two calculators.

Keep a dental practice smiling

Mydentist is recruiting a Practice Manager for its Hindhayes Lane surgery in Street. The permanent, full-time role is predominantly Monday to Friday and involves managing a busy four-surgery practice offering NHS and private treatments. The successful applicant will need to keep staff, patients, appointments and paperwork moving in the right direction — all while surrounded by people who are understandably not delighted to be there.

Lead support services in Shepton Mallet

A Service Manager is wanted to lead the MOTS and SHAP services in Shepton Mallet. The permanent position pays £34,505 a year for 37.5 hours a week. The services support people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion, making this a role with considerably more purpose than colour-coding a spreadsheet nobody will open.

Run an opticians department

A Dispensing Optician Manager is needed in Street. The role includes managing optometrists and optical assistants, overseeing clinical services and keeping the department on track. Applicants must be qualified dispensing opticians registered with the General Optical Council. Leadership skills are essential, as is the ability to resist telling difficult customers they would look lovely in something from the children's range.

Make a difference in a Wells care home

Barchester is recruiting a Care Home Community Lead in Wells. The successful applicant will lead carers and senior carers while helping residents retain their independence, privacy and dignity.

The job includes some clinical duties, including blood-pressure observations and simple wound dressings. Applicants need senior care experience and a Level 3 NVQ or Advanced Diploma in Health and Social Care. It is responsible, people-focused work where "making a difference" means rather more than remembering to refill the office biscuit tin.

Support adults at Weavers Lodge

Weavers Lodge in Castle Cary has full-time and part-time vacancies for Support Workers. The home supports adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions and complex behavioural needs. The role involves personal care, meals, daily routines and helping residents develop skills such as cooking and budgeting.

Pay starts at £14.25 an hour, rising to £14.75 for applicants with at least 12 months' relevant experience. There is also a referral bonus, Blue Light Card access and absolutely no requirement to describe anything as a "synergy".

Work nights without pretending to enjoy mornings

Weavers Lodge is also recruiting a Waking Night Support Worker. Full-time and part-time hours are available, with shifts running from 9.50pm until 7.10am. The job includes personal care, wellbeing checks, record keeping and providing reassurance overnight. It could be ideal for somebody who functions perfectly well at 3am but considers 8am an unreasonable personal attack.

Host a local friendship group

A Day Care Host is wanted in Shepton Mallet or the surrounding area. The successful applicant will welcome a group of four older people into their own home for up to two full days each week. The employer is looking for somebody compassionate, empathetic and sociable. Tea-making ability is not explicitly listed, but we are prepared to call it strongly implied.

Earn £53,000 keeping machinery moving

A Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer is required at a manufacturing site in Shepton Mallet. The position pays £53,000 plus a bonus and follows a four-on, four-off shift pattern. It could suit a newly qualified apprentice or an experienced maintenance engineer with electrical fault-finding skills. If you can identify what the mysterious rattling noise is without turning the radio up, this may be your moment.

Earn even more fixing different machinery

Another local employer is advertising a Multi-Skilled Engineer position paying £55,000, with potential earnings above £60,000. The role is with a food and drink manufacturer and follows a four-on, four-off pattern covering two day shifts and two nights. At that salary, "have you tried switching it off and on again?" should probably be kept as a last resort.

Keep HGVs on the road

A permanent Workshop HGV Engineer is wanted in Shepton Mallet. The daytime position offers a basic salary of up to £46,500 plus overtime. Training on new products and opportunities to complete additional courses are included, so there is room to develop your career without having to describe it as a "journey".

Deliver newspapers before breakfast

A self-employed Morning Delivery Driver is needed near Wells. The job involves delivering newspapers and magazines to homes and businesses early in the morning. It could suit somebody who enjoys quiet roads, early finishes and being awake several hours before the people complaining that their paper is late.

Get behind the controls of a dozer

Experienced operators are being recruited for a Dozer Driver position near Shepton Mallet. Ongoing work and immediate starts are available. Applicants need a valid CPCS or NPORS qualification with the CSCS logo, previous operating experience and full protective equipment.

The work involves safely moving large quantities of material with heavy machinery, which is more satisfying than dragging one tiny box at a time around a spreadsheet.

Collect milk while Somerset sleeps

A Milk Tanker Driver is wanted for night shifts in Evercreech. The role follows a five-on, three-off pattern and involves collecting fresh milk from local farms before delivering it to the dairy. Applicants need a UK Class 1 CE licence. An acceptance that cows do not observe conventional office hours would probably help too.

Drive an HGV around Shepton Mallet

An HGV Class 2 Driver is required for an immediate start in Shepton Mallet. The weekday position pays £16.50 an hour and requires an appropriate Class 2 licence. If you would rather negotiate roundabouts than another meeting about meetings, it may be worth applying.

Work day or night shifts as a Class 1 driver

An HGV Class 1 Driver is also wanted in Shepton Mallet. Day shifts pay £16.50 an hour, while night shifts pay £17.50. Holiday pay is paid separately when leave is taken. Immediate starts are available, giving successful applicants barely enough time to compose a dignified farewell message for the current work WhatsApp group.

Make local deliveries from Castle Cary

Finally, a Multi-Drop Van Driver is needed in Castle Cary. The job pays £13.50 an hour for a 40-hour, Monday-to-Friday week and involves delivering to businesses on local routes. Drivers need to be flexible enough to cover three different daily routes. The good news is that nobody can invite you to a "quick Teams call" while you are halfway through unloading the van.

More vacancies can be found in the Nub News jobs section, where local employers can advertise positions directly.