Yard Associate

Yard Associate (Lumberyard)

Columbus, IN | On-site | Full-time | $15.00–$20.00 per hour

R.P. Lumber is hiring a Yard Associate for our Columbus, IN lumberyard. This is a hands-on outdoor role for someone who can load customers accurately, keep the yard safe and organized, and help drivers unload lumber, shingles, drywall, millwork, and other building materials.

You will report to the Yard Manager. Forklift experience is helpful. We will train the right person.

About R.P. Lumber

We are a family-owned building materials and hardware retailer founded in 1977. We now operate 100+ locations across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Our promise is simple: Best Service. Best Value.

What you will do

Customer service and loading

- Greet contractors and homeowners when they enter the yard

- Load customer vehicles and company trucks after checking the ticket against the product

- Answer basic questions about product, orders, pricing, and delivery timing

- Help keep assigned yard areas stocked, faced, priced, clean, and safe

Yard operations and deliveries

- Unload incoming freight without damaging product or carrier equipment

- Operate a forklift to stock and merchandise the yard and warehouse

- Build accurate delivery loads before trucks leave

- Ride along on deliveries to help unload and stage product at homes and jobsites

- Follow and help enforce company safety rules

- Perform other duties assigned by the Yard Manager

What you need to have

- High school diploma or GED

- Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record

- Reliable attendance

- Ability to communicate clearly with customers, teammates, and managers

- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays

- Ability to work outdoors in changing weather

- Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, including sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and frequently lifting or moving 50 to 100 pounds

Nice to have

- Forklift experience (training is available)

- About one year of related yard, warehouse, or building-materials experience

- Knowledge of lumber and construction products

Pay and benefits

Pay range: $15.00–$20.00 per hour

Pay Transparency: This compensation listed reflects the pay range reasonably expected for this posted position at the posted location(s). If this opportunity includes multiple job levels, the pay information represents the minimum and maximum range for all levels in that job family. Actual pay is determined by several job-related factors permitted by law and relevant to the position, including, but not limited to, experience relative to the job, tenure, market level, pay at the location for this job, performance, schedule, and work assignment.

Full-time employees are eligible for:

- Medical, dental, vision, term life, and short-term disability insurance

- Employer-paid basic life insurance

- Profit sharing / 401(k)

- Paid time off and paid holidays

- Employee merchandise discount

Schedule and work location

This is an on-site position. The role is based in the yard and may include riding along on local deliveries. Weekend and holiday work is required based on store needs.

Pre-employment requirements

Offers are contingent on pre-employment screening, which may include drug testing, a background check, and a driving-record review, as applicable and in accordance with federal, state, and local law.

How to apply

Apply today for the Yard Associate opening. If you like physical work, a clean yard, and customers who leave with the right load, we want to hear from you.

Candidates who meet the qualifications for this role may be contacted by phone or email about next steps.

R.P. Lumber is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), national origin, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetics, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.