Loader Operator - Pellet Mills

W.C. Bradley Co.•Peebles, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a heavy-equipment operating position. Prior hands-on experience operating a front-end loader, excavator, or comparable heavy material-handling equipment is required. The Heavy Equipment / Loader Operator safely operates mobile equipment to move, scoop, blend, and load wood fiber used in pellet production. Following production instructions, the operator combines fiber materials in the required proportions and continuously loads the correct blend into the pellet mill infeed system. The role is essential to maintaining safe, consistent material flow and reliable mill production.

Requirements

Demonstrated hands-on experience operating a front-end loader, wheel loader, excavator, or similar heavy equipment used to scoop, move, mix, or load bulk materials.
Ability to operate equipment safely in an active industrial environment and around pedestrians, structures, conveyors, trucks, and other mobile equipment.
Ability to follow fiber-blending instructions, recognize material differences, and maintain consistent material flow to production equipment.
Working knowledge of basic mobile-equipment inspections and the ability to recognize and report mechanical or safety concerns.
Ability to communicate clearly by radio and in person, follow written and verbal instructions, and work effectively as part of a production team.
Ability to work the assigned shift, including nights, weekends, holidays, call-ins, and overtime, as applicable.
Ability to satisfy site-specific training, qualification, and authorization requirements before independently operating equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating a front loader in wood products, forestry, sawmill, pellet manufacturing, recycling, agriculture, aggregate, mining, or a similar bulk-material environment.
Experience blending materials to a production specification or feeding material into hoppers, conveyors, grinders, dryers, or other manufacturing equipment.
Previous mobile-equipment, powered-industrial-equipment, or site safety training relevant to the assigned equipment.
High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Safely operate a front-end wheel loader and other authorized mobile equipment to handle wood fiber and related bulk materials.
Complete documented pre-use inspections, including checks of tires or tracks, hydraulics, attachments, fluid levels, safety devices, alarms, lights, and the operator cab; promptly report defects and remove unsafe equipment from service in accordance with company procedures.
Move fiber from storage areas and stockpiles to designated blending and feed locations without contaminating or unintentionally mixing materials.
Scoop and combine fiber types or grades according to production instructions, established blend requirements, and direction from the mill or control-room operator.
Load the prepared fiber blend into hoppers, bins, conveyors, or other infeed points while maintaining a steady and appropriate flow of material to the pellet mill.
Monitor stockpiles, blend consistency, material condition, and infeed levels; communicate material shortages, contamination, excess moisture, flow problems, or other concerns that may affect production or product quality.
Coordinate closely with mill operators, supervisors, maintenance employees, truck drivers, and other equipment operators using established radio and traffic-control practices.
Maintain safe stockpile faces, travel paths, loading areas, and adequate clearances around people, equipment, structures, utilities, and fire-protection systems.
Perform routine operator care, such as cleaning the cab and windows, removing accumulated debris, fueling or charging equipment when authorized, and supporting scheduled preventive maintenance. Do not perform repairs beyond assigned training and authorization.
Follow all plant safety requirements, including personal protective equipment, mobile-equipment rules, pedestrian controls, combustible-dust and fire-prevention practices, and lockout/tagout requirements when applicable and authorized.
Maintain required inspection, production, fuel, and material-handling records accurately and on time.
Support housekeeping, cleanup, and other production activities during downtime or as operational needs require, provided the employee is trained and authorized to perform the work safely.