Overhead Crane Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Precision Steel Services has supplied steel across the Midwest since 1974. We are looking for an Overhead Crane Operator to help move, stage, organize, and control steel throughout our production process.

This role sets the pace for production.

As a Crane Operator, you move and stage steel so production can run safely and efficiently. Nothing starts until the right material is in the right place. Done right, operations flow smoothly. Done wrong, production stalls, material is wasted, and safety is at risk.

This is hands-on steel manufacturing work that requires attention, control, safety, and accountability.

What You’ll Do

• Operate overhead cranes and hoisting equipment to move steel safely
• Load and unload trucks while verifying material against order requirements
• Stage material for production, storage, shipping, or the next operation
• Keep production areas supplied so equipment and operators are not waiting on material
• Control crane movement using standard signals and clear communication
• Use safe lifting practices and monitor load balance before and during moves
• Properly tag, band, identify, and organize material
• Support inventory accuracy and report discrepancies
• Move material between work areas to maintain production flow
• Think ahead to avoid burying material, delaying production, or creating unnecessary extra moves
• Inspect cranes, slings, magnets, and lifting equipment before use
• Report unsafe conditions, equipment issues, or material concerns early
• Maintain clean, safe work areas and clear travel paths

What We Expect

• You own the move — unsafe or poor material handling does not happen
• You stay aware and keep work flowing without unnecessary delays
• You think ahead and stage material before it is needed
• You understand that poor staging slows down the entire operation
• You communicate clearly with operators, quality, supervisors, and other team members
• You take responsibility for inventory accuracy and material organization
• You protect the equipment, the material, and the people around you
• You show up reliably and understand that attendance matters
• You can handle physical work in a steel manufacturing environment

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Previous crane operation experience required
• Experience working with steel, metal, fabrication, manufacturing, warehouse, or a similar industrial environment required
• Ability to work safely around heavy material
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate clearly
• Strong attention to safety, detail, and organization
• Reliable attendance and strong work ethic
• Ability to perform physical work in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and work in varying shop conditions
• Ability to work overtime, including rotating weekends when required

Preferred Qualifications

• Overhead or bridge crane experience
• Experience with magnets, slings, spreader bars, C-hooks, or other below-the-hook lifting devices
• Forklift or heavy material handling experience
• Experience loading/unloading trucks
• Experience with steel plate, coils, bars, structural steel, or heavy metal products
• Familiarity with work orders, staging, tagging, banding, inventory systems, or material paperwork
• Basic measurement skills, including tape measure and shop math

Benefits

Pay, Shift & Growth Opportunity

Base Pay: $20/hour, based on experience

Shift Premiums:

• 2nd Shift: +$0.50/hour
• 3rd Shift: +$1.00/hour

Overtime available

How You Grow Here

We do not believe in flat roles. Your pay and responsibility grow with performance.

Operators can advance by building skill in safe material handling, crane control, staging accuracy, inventory organization, production flow, and overall reliability.

• Advancement is based on skill, safety, and reliability
• Higher tiers mean more responsibility and higher pay
• Progression is earned, not time-based

• Yearly reviews may provide increases to your hourly rate
• Reviews are based on performance, consistency, safety, reliability, and contribution to the team

This gives you a clear path to increase your pay by becoming more valuable to the operation.