New Hire-Forklift Operator

International Paper•Lumberton, NC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Forklift Operator/Material Handler operates a forklift to move products and materials throughout an industrial manufacturing plant. Duties include moving units from production to finishing and warehouse areas, supplying finishing machines with pallets, receiving and storing incoming materials, and organizing and loading products for shipping. The role includes preparing trailers for loading, confirming load counts against tickets, maximizing trailer space, and completing shipping documentation as needed. Operators complete daily forklift maintenance checklists, check and refill fluids, refuel equipment as needed, report equipment problems, and keep forklifts and work areas clean. They follow safe, reliable work methods and plant safety and environmental procedures, communicate with production and shipping personnel, and support production, waste, and quality goals. Other duties may include assisting with inventories, restacking spilled loads, and painting posts, guard rails, or floor lines. Candidates must pass a drug screen, health assessment, and background check. The position works rotating shifts, weekends, and overtime as required. Workdays are 8, 10, or 12 hours, with specified breaks and a lunch period.

Requirements

Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily.
Ability to pass a drug screen, health assessment, and background check.
Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, and overtime as required.
Ability to work 8-, 10-, or 12-hour workdays.
Ability to follow company and job-specific safety procedures and attend required meetings.
Ability to operate a forklift and perform associated material-handling duties.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Minimum of 1 year of forklift experience in an industrial manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate forklifts to move products from production lines to finishing lines and warehouse storage.
Stack products in shipping areas and load products into trucks and trailers.
Receive, unload, and store incoming supplies, materials, and pallets as needed.
Obtain and distribute pallets to finishing machines; move dunnage and scrap throughout designated production areas.
Use production run lists to determine pallet needs and warehouse space; return problem loads to production for reworking or re-banding.
Complete daily forklift maintenance checklists, check and refill fluids, refuel as needed, report equipment concerns, and keep forklifts clean.
Prepare and organize trailers for loading, including removing pallets and sweeping trailers when necessary.
Identify load-ticket information, locate orders in the warehouse, load trailers, verify counts, and maximize trailer space.
Prepare or assist with bills of lading, obtain the carrier’s signature, and turn packing lists in to the supervisor.
Keep warehouse areas clean, organized, and swept; complete general housekeeping duties.
Assist with monthly inventories and physical product counts as needed.
Restack spilled loads and deliver supplies and materials to appropriate locations throughout the plant.
Follow safety and environmental procedures, Safe Reliable Methods, and job-specific safety practices; report safety or maintenance concerns and attend required meetings.
Communicate with machine operators, supervisors, other forklift operators, strapper operators, and truck drivers.
Use the dock plate and truck restraint controls and apply a personal lock to secure trailers during loading.
Sound the forklift horn at specified intersections, corners, doorways, and other points; drive in reverse when carrying a load.
Adjust fork spread when necessary and re-strap loads with a hand bander when required.
Work overtime as required and support production, waste, and quality goals.
Paint posts, guard rails, or floor lines from time to time.