Job Title: Forklift Operator

Job Description

This role involves operating forklifts and production equipment to support a high-volume manufacturing environment that supplies products to critical customers. You will handle materials, support furnace and washer operations, and help keep equipment and work areas clean, safe, and organized while following established procedures and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Operate processing equipment such as washers, hardening furnaces, annealing furnaces, and other related machinery in a safe and efficient manner.
• Set up assigned work areas and equipment according to production requirements and instructions.
• Make up and stock cartons, materials, and supplies to ensure continuous production flow.
• Load and unload parts and scrap into machines, ensuring correct placement and handling.
• Operate sit-down and stand-up forklifts to move materials throughout the facility and to position materials at workstations.
• Use hand trucks and other material handling tools to transport materials as needed.
• Clean tanks, washers, and other factory equipment to maintain cleanliness and proper operation.
• Add chemicals and water to equipment under supervision, following all safety and handling guidelines.
• Perform general material handling duties, including picking, loading, and staging materials for production.
• Lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds as part of daily tasks.
• Follow all safety procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors to support smooth and efficient production operations.

Essential Skills

• Experience operating sit-down or stand-up forklifts in an industrial or warehouse environment.
• At least 6 months of manufacturing experience.
• Ability to safely lift and move up to 50 pounds as part of routine job duties.
• Basic machine operating experience in a production or manufacturing setting.
• Material handling experience, including picking, loading, and staging materials.
• Willingness to become forklift certified through employer-provided training if not already certified.
• Ability to operate or learn to operate processing equipment such as washers and furnaces.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and adhere to safety procedures.
• Reliability and strong attendance, with a commitment to consistent work performance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience operating both sit-down and stand-up forklifts.
• Experience working with furnaces, washers, or similar industrial processing equipment.
• Comfort working in a louder, warm manufacturing environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe work practices.
• Willingness to work second or third shift and to take voluntary overtime when desired.

Why Work Here?

You will join a large, stable manufacturing operation that has a strong track record of steady work with no layoffs. The organization offers excellent benefits, on-the-job training, and a clear structure for earning raises and rewards for strong attendance and performance. Employees can earn attendance incentives, extra paid time off, referral bonuses, and monthly bonuses, along with 10 paid holidays and a progressive vacation and personal day schedule. Performance reviews every six months during the first two years, combined with annual union raises, provide regular opportunities to increase earnings. Shift premiums for second and third shifts further enhance total compensation, and voluntary overtime allows you to increase your hours when it works best for you.

Work Environment

This role is based in a large manufacturing plant with approximately 270 employees. Overtime is entirely voluntary, with opportunities to work 12-hour days and weekends and to exceed 50 hours per week if desired. The environment is louder and can become hot in the summer, reflecting the nature of furnace and heavy manufacturing operations. Personal protective equipment, including hearing protection, eye protection, and steel-toe or nonslip safety shoes, is required. The facility operates multiple types of industrial equipment, including washers, furnaces, forklifts, and other material handling tools, and follows structured safety and operational procedures.

Shift Hours/Pay

Available schedules include 2nd shift (Monday–Friday, 2:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.) and 3rd shift (Sunday–Thursday, 10:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.). Pay varies depending upon experience between 19-21/hr (with a $1 shift premium on 2nd a