Heavy Equipment Operator - Eloy Yard

Description

Department: Operations / Yard
Reports To: Plant Manager / Yard Supervisor
Location: Eloy, Arizona
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Sonoran Sales Company is seeking an experienced and safety-focused Heavy Equipment Operator to support operations at our Eloy Yard.

This position is responsible for safely operating heavy equipment used to load, unload, move, stage, and organize large-diameter steel pipe, fittings, materials, and other products throughout the yard . The Heavy Equipment Operator will work closely with Plant Operations, Shipping & Receiving, truck drivers, and other yard personnel to ensure materials are handled safely and efficiently.

The ideal candidate has experience operating heavy equipment in an industrial, manufacturing, construction, steel, pipe, or material-handling environment and understands the importance of safe load handling, equipment inspections, communication, and maintaining an organized yard.

Primary Responsibilities

Heavy Equipment Operation

• Safely operate assigned heavy equipment used for yard and material-handling operations.
• Load, unload, move, and stage large-diameter steel pipe, fittings, fabricated components, raw materials, and finished products .
• Move materials between receiving, storage, production, staging, and shipping areas.
• Assist with loading and unloading trucks and trailers.
• Position materials safely and accurately according to operational and project requirements.
• Follow established traffic patterns, designated storage areas, and yard procedures.
• Maintain awareness of pedestrians, trucks, equipment, overhead hazards, and surrounding operations at all times.
• Operate equipment only within the employee's training, authorization, and demonstrated competency.

Material Handling & Yard Operations

• Work with Shipping & Receiving and Plant Operations to identify, locate, stage, and move materials.
• Assist with organizing pipe, fittings, steel, and other inventory within designated yard areas.
• Verify materials before moving or loading them to help prevent incorrect shipments or material placement.
• Assist with securing and preparing materials for transportation as assigned and trained.
• Help maintain clear travel paths, loading areas, storage areas, and work zones.
• Support general yard operations as needed to maintain safe and efficient material flow.

Equipment Inspection & Basic Maintenance

• Perform required pre-operation inspections before using equipment.
• Inspect tires or tracks, forks, attachments, hydraulic systems, fluid levels, warning devices, lights, brakes, and other applicable safety components.
• Immediately report equipment damage, leaks, unusual operation, or safety concerns.
• Remove unsafe equipment from service in accordance with company procedures.
• Perform routine operator-level maintenance such as cleaning, lubrication, and basic checks as assigned.
• Maintain accurate inspection or equipment records when required.

Loading & Shipping Support

• Coordinate with Shipping & Receiving personnel regarding scheduled pickups and deliveries.
• Safely load and unload materials from flatbeds, trailers, and other commercial vehicles.
• Stage outgoing materials according to shipping requirements.
• Assist in verifying that the correct materials and quantities are prepared for shipment.
• Communicate with truck drivers and designated spotters during loading and unloading operations.
• Follow established procedures for safe lifting, material placement, and load preparation.

Safety Responsibilities

Safety is a critical responsibility of this position due to the size and weight of the materials handled and the movement of heavy equipment throughout the yard.

The Heavy Equipment Operator is expected to:

• Follow all Sonoran safety policies, procedures, and equipment-specific operating requirements.
• Complete required equipment training and demonstrate competency before operating equipment independently.
• Conduct pre-use inspections and report unsafe conditions immediately.
• Use required PPE at all times within designated areas.
• Follow established procedures for lifting, rigging, loading, unloading, and material handling.
• Never exceed equipment-rated capacities or operate equipment outside its intended use.
• Maintain safe distances from personnel, vehicles, structures, and other equipment.
• Use spotters when required by the task or site conditions.
• Follow applicable lockout/tagout procedures when equipment is being serviced or maintained.
• Immediately report accidents, near misses, equipment damage, and unsafe conditions.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating heavy equipment in an industrial, manufacturing, construction, yard, steel, pipe, or material-handling environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to safely operate applicable heavy equipment and attachments.
• Experience loading and unloading trucks, trailers, or large materials preferred.
• Experience handling pipe, steel, structural materials, or other large/heavy loads strongly preferred.
• Ability to understand equipment capacities, load limitations, and safe operating practices.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Strong situational awareness and commitment to workplace safety.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, truck drivers, spotters, and other employees.
• Reliable attendance and ability to work as part of an operations team.
• Valid driver's license preferred.

Preferred Experience

Experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable:

• Large-diameter pipe handling
• Forklifts or large-capacity forklifts
• Front-end loaders
• Telehandlers
• Material handlers
• Loaders or similar industrial equipment
• Flatbed loading and unloading
• Steel or pipe yards
• Rigging and material-handling practices
• Manufacturing or fabrication facilities
• Heavy civil or industrial construction

Specific equipment certifications or training may be required depending on the equipment assigned to the position.

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular work in an active outdoor industrial yard and may involve:

• Prolonged sitting while operating equipment.
• Frequent climbing into and out of equipment.
• Standing, walking, bending, reaching, and working on uneven surfaces.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling materials and equipment within reasonable job-related limits.
• Working around large steel products, trucks, moving equipment, and manufacturing operations.
• Working outdoors in Arizona weather conditions, including heat, sun, wind, dust, and seasonal temperature changes.
• Wearing required PPE, including hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, gloves, and safety-toe footwear as applicable.

Key Attributes for Success

The successful candidate will be safety-conscious, dependable, alert, organized, and comfortable working around large equipment and heavy materials .

This person should understand that operating equipment at Sonoran isn't simply about moving something from Point A to Point B. With large steel pipe and heavy materials, equipment condition, load capacity, communication, positioning, and awareness of the people working nearby all matter.