Summary
Willbanks Metals is hiring an experienced 30-ton forkliftoperator to safely move heavy steel products-including plate, coil, beam, tube,and fabricated parts-across our yard, warehouse, and loading areas. This roleis critical to on-time shipping, accurate staging, and safe material flow in ahigh-volume steel environment.
Key Responsibilities
• Operate a high-capacity (30-ton / 60,000 lb)forklift to move long, wide, and irregular steel loads in production, storage,and loading zones.
• Load/unload trucks and railcars; stage outboundloads and replenish production cells according to work orders.
• Perform pre-shift inspections (brakes, steering,hydraulic/lift mechanisms, tires, alarms, forks/attachments) and documentfindings.
• Rig and secure materials using chains, straps,blocking, and approved methods; verify weight distribution and center ofgravity before travel.
• Read/interpret work orders, tickets, andmanifests; use RF scanners or yard systems for inventory transactions andlocation accuracy.
• Coordinate movements with spotters and craneoperators; maintain radio/hand-signal communication in high-traffic zones.
• Maintain housekeeping and lane discipline; keepaisles, racks, and laydown areas organized for safe travel and visibility.
• Report equipment damage, near-misses, andhazards immediately; contribute to root-cause and corrective actions.
• Comply with OSHA, company safety rules, and PPErequirements at all times.
Minimum Qualifications
• 3+ years operating heavy-capacity forklifts insteel, metals, or comparable heavy industrial settings.
• Demonstrated proficiency in handling long, wide,and irregular loads (plate, coil, beam).
• Current forklift certification (or ability toobtain upon hire).
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, climb in/out ofequipment repeatedly, and work in indoor/outdoor conditions (heat, cold, dust,noise).
• Strong situational awareness, load-securementknowledge, and commitment to pace yourself safely under time pressure.
• Basic computer/RF scanning skills and theability to read measurements and yard maps.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with coils (C-hooks, coil rams) andoversized plate/beam handling.
• Familiarity with overhead cranes, side-loaders,and rigging.
• Experience using a yard management or inventorysystem for material movements.
• Understanding of DOT securement principles forstaging outbound loads (not a driving role).
Work Environment & Physical Demands
• Frequent sitting/standing, climbing on/offequipment, and turning head/torso for visibility.
• Exposure to moving equipment, truck traffic, andvariable weather; strict adherence to speed limits, horn use, and pedestrianright-of-way.
• Regular use of PPE (hard hat, safety glasses,steel-toe boots, gloves, high-visibility apparel).
Schedule & Compensation
Full-time.
Competitive pay with OT eligibility.
Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO.
Thisjob description is intended to describe the general content and requirementsfor the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustivestatement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
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