Job Title: Forklift Operator

Job Description

The Forklift Operator safely moves, stages, and transports materials throughout a busy manufacturing and warehouse facility. This role focuses on loading and unloading trucks, supplying materials to production lines, and preparing finished products for shipment. Operators support machine operators, perform repetitive material handling tasks, and help maintain an efficient, organized, and safety-focused operation across multiple shifts.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate sit-down forklifts to move, stage, and transport materials throughout the facility.
• Load and unload incoming and outgoing trucks, ensuring materials are handled carefully and efficiently.
• Band, wrap, and secure finished products using hand-held banders and other tools prior to shipment.
• Feed raw materials into machines to support machine operators and maintain continuous production flow.
• Perform repetitive material handling tasks, including picking, packing, and general labor activities as needed.
• Use RF scanners to track inventory, complete order picking, and support shipping and receiving operations.
• Assist with inventory control by organizing materials, verifying counts, and maintaining accurate records.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in compliance with facility safety procedures.
• Conduct basic material inspections to identify damage or quality issues and report concerns promptly.
• Follow all safety guidelines, including participation in required safety training and courses.
• Support other warehouse and manufacturing duties as needed to ensure efficient operations.
• Complete a general safety course at the training center prior to working on site and apply learned practices daily.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience operating sit-down forklifts in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with material handling, including loading, unloading, and staging materials.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as picking, packing, and general labor while maintaining accuracy.
• Experience using RF scanners for inventory management, order picking, and shipping activities.
• Knowledge of shipping and receiving processes, including preparing loads for outbound shipments.
• Ability to use hand-held banders and related tools to wrap and secure materials for transport.
• Strong commitment to safety, including following established procedures and participating in safety training.
• Ability to lift, move, and handle materials as required in a non-climate-controlled environment.
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to support machine operators and collaborate with coworkers.
• Reliability and responsibility in adhering to shift schedules and completing assigned tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial warehouse setting.
• Familiarity with roll-formed steel products or metal materials handling is a plus.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, repetitive work environment with changing priorities.
• Willingness to train on day shift for approximately one week before moving to 2nd or 3rd shift as needed.
• Ability to attend and successfully complete a general safety course at the training center prior to starting on site.
• Strong attention to detail when inspecting materials and preparing loads for shipment.
• Good communication skills to coordinate with machine operators, shipping staff, and inventory teams.

Why Work Here?

The facility offers long-term growth potential, with only the first phase of a multi-phase expansion completed, creating opportunities to grow as the operation expands. Employees benefit from a structured training path, including paid safety training, and a clear path from contract-to-hire to full-time employment. The organization focuses on safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement, providing a stable environment in a modern, newly built plant that serves customers across North America.

Work Environment

The role is based in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing and warehouse facility that recently moved into a brand-new plant in Athens, Alabama. Operators work on one of three shifts: 1st shift (6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday–Friday), 2nd shift (2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Monday–Friday), or 3rd shift (10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., Monday–Friday), with initial training conducted on day shift for approximately one week. Before starting on site, employees attend a paid safety course at a training center. The facility operates with a structured, produc