Material Handler - Forklift Operator

Material Handler / Forklift Operator

American Trim is seeking dependable Material Handlers / Forklift Operators to support our manufacturing operations. This position plays an important role in keeping production running by safely and efficiently moving raw materials, components, racks, dies, coils and finished goods throughout the facility. If you have forklift experience, a strong commitment to safety and enjoy working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we want to hear from you.

Schedule & Pay

Base Pay: $17.70 + per hour depending on experience

1st Shift: 5:55 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday–Thursday or 3:55 AM - 2:00 PM, Monday-Thursday

All shifts include overtime as needed. Scheduled hours may flex based on operational needs.

Benefits & What We Offer

Day-one holiday pay

Day-one 401(k) with company match

Medical, dental and vision benefits at 91 days

Vacation eligibility at 91 days

On-the-job training

Tuition assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Direct Care for employees enrolled in company health benefits

Annual boot reimbursement voucher

Prescription safety glass reimbursement voucher every two years

Career growth and advancement opportunities

Job Summary

The Material Handler / Forklift Operator is responsible for safely operating powered industrial trucks and physically moving materials into, out of and throughout assigned departments to provide timely support to production and other work areas. This position moves inventory into and out of designated rack and storage locations, including dies, racks, coils, raw materials, components and finished goods, while maintaining accurate inventory transactions and supporting the continuous flow of manufacturing operations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Safely operate forklifts and other authorized material-handling equipment to move materials throughout the facility.

Move parts and materials into and out of designated rack and storage locations to support manufacturing operations and accurately record inventory movements in QAD or other designated systems.

Monitor and verify inventory accuracy within assigned rack and storage locations and assist with required physical inventory activities.

Supply production areas with raw materials, components, corrugated materials, containers and other items necessary to maintain continuous operations.

Return unused or excess materials to the appropriate inventory locations and accurately record material movements.

Move finished goods from production areas to designated inventory, staging and/or shipping locations and complete required inventory transactions.

Load finished goods and other materials onto trucks as required.

Unload raw materials, components and other received items from trucks and move them to the appropriate inventory, staging or production locations.

Prepare and/or assist with shipping documentation, including bills of lading, packing lists and other required shipping records.

Move scrap and waste materials, including designated hazardous and non-hazardous materials, to specified holding areas and/or load materials for transport in accordance with established procedures.

Complete and document required daily inspections and preventive maintenance checks on forklifts and material-handling equipment, including charging/fueling, lubrication and safety checks as applicable.

Immediately report damaged, unsafe or out-of-service forklifts and material-handling equipment to supervision and/or the appropriate maintenance personnel.

Maintain required production, inventory, scrap, downtime, quality, maintenance and other operational records as applicable to the assigned area.

Assist with die movement, die setting and job pre-staging as required.

Follow all required forklift, pedestrian and material-handling safety procedures.

Comply with all safety standards and procedures, including applicable Job Safety Analysis (JSA), Equipment Safety Analysis (ESA) and Area Safety Analysis (ASA) requirements.

Perform work in accordance with applicable environmental requirements and instructions provided by supervision and/or the Environmental group.

Maintain clean and orderly work areas and participate in routine housekeeping activities.

Communicate material shortages, inventory discrepancies, equipment concerns and other issues that may affect production to appropriate team members and supervision.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Previous forklift/powered industrial truck operating experience preferred.

Ability to successfully complete American Trim's required forklift training and certification.

High school-level reading, writing and basic math skills.

Ability to safely operate material-handling equipment in a manufacturing environment.

Basic computer skills and ability to learn and accurately perform inventory transactions in QAD and other required systems.

Ability to understand inventory locations, part identification and material movement requirements.

Mechanical aptitude and ability to use basic hand tools as required.

Effective oral and written communication skills.

Ability to follow established procedures, work instructions and safety requirements.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to inventory accuracy.

Ability to prioritize material movement based on production needs.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Self-motivated and able to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality and dependability.

Forklift Certification: This position requires company forklift certification. Employees must successfully complete a drug screening as part of the initial certification process and any required recertification process, in accordance with company policy.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

The work environment and physical demands described below are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to:

Frequently operate a forklift or other authorized powered industrial truck for extended periods of time.

Frequently mount and dismount material-handling equipment throughout the workday.

Sit, stand, walk and move throughout production, warehouse, shipping and receiving areas for extended periods of time.

Bend, reach, stoop, turn, twist, push, pull and perform other movements necessary to handle and transport materials.

Frequently handle and move lightweight materials and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds on a non-repetitive basis.

Perform repetitive turning, reaching and/or lifting movements associated with material-handling activities.

Maintain visual attention and spatial awareness while operating material-handling equipment around employees, machinery, racks and other equipment.

Work around moving machinery, industrial vehicles, materials and components that may have sharp edges.

Work in a manufacturing and warehouse environment that may include noise, temperature variations and other conditions associated with industrial operations.

Work independently at times and collaboratively with production, shipping, receiving and other team members.

Work under time-sensitive conditions when supplying production areas and meeting shipping or production schedules.

Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including eye, hearing, foot and other protective equipment as required.

Work overtime and adjusted hours as required by operational needs.

Why American Trim?

At American Trim, Safety is our #1 Core Value. Our Material Handlers play an important role in keeping our manufacturing operations running safely and efficiently by ensuring our production teams have the right materials at the right time. We are committed to providing employees with training, development and opportunities to build their skills and grow their careers. If you're ready to put your forklift and material-handling skills to work with American Trim, apply today. No agency calls or emails, please. Qualified candidates must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. American Trim does not anticipate providing employment-related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status).