Yard Hand - Metal Recycling Yard

Sims Ltd.; Cairns Regional; Hybrid; AUD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Career progression

Parental leave

Health & wellbeing benefits

Novated leasing

Job summary

Sims Limited in Cairns is seeking a motivated Yard Hand to support the day-to-day operations of our metal recycling yard. You will help move, sort, and process recyclable materials, operating a range of mobile plant and equipment in a busy outdoor setting.

We value safety, teamwork, and a practical approach to problems, with opportunities for training and career development in a growing environmental business.

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating mobile plant, heavy equipment, or machinery in a recycling, manufacturing, industrial, logistics, construction, or similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate mobile plant and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Load, unload, and move materials throughout the site.
• Sort, grade, and process ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
• Assist with the receival, processing, and dispatch of recyclable materials.
• Conduct routine equipment inspections and report maintenance requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe work environment.
• Follow all health, safety, environmental, and operational procedures.
• Identify and report hazards and unsafe conditions.
• Provide excellent customer service to suppliers, drivers, and customers.
• Support general yard and operational activities as required.

Skills

Mobile plant operation

Safety-focused

Team player

Good communication

Customer service

Physically fit

Willingness to learn

Reliability

Job description

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Yard Hand - Metal Recycling Yard

Date: 16 Sept 2026

Location: Cairns, QLD, AU, 4870

Company: simsmetalm

Sims Limited (Sims) is a global leader in metal and electronics recycling, and an emerging leader in the renewable energy industry. With facilities across the globe, Sims plays an intrinsic role in the circular economy by making resources available for future use. As a responsible corporate citizen, we continuously seek new ways to broaden our participation in the environmental sector, ensuring that our future is as bright, safe, and secure as at any time in our long history.

With a promote-from-within philosophy and a variety of programmes available to support continuous learning, Sims offers the opportunity for a rewarding career. We are committed to the ecologically sound and sustainable use of resources and strive to operate in a manner that minimises waste and protects the environment.

We are seeking a motivated and safety-conscious Operator to join our Cairns operations. Reporting to the Yard Manager, you will play a key role in the day-to-day running of our busy recycling facility, assisting with the movement, sorting, and processing of recyclable materials while operating a range of mobile plant and equipment.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working outdoors, operating machinery, and being part of a hardworking team committed to safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate mobile plant and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Load, unload, and move materials throughout the site.
• Sort, grade, and process ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
• Assist with the receival, processing, and dispatch of recyclable materials.
• Conduct routine equipment inspections and report maintenance requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe work environment.
• Follow all health, safety, environmental, and operational procedures.
• Identify and report hazards and unsafe conditions.
• Provide excellent customer service to suppliers, drivers, and customers.
• Support general yard and operational activities as required.

What you’ll bring:

• Previous experience operating mobile plant, heavy equipment, or machinery in a recycling, manufacturing, industrial, logistics, construction, or similar environment.
• A strong commitment to workplace health and safety.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A reliable work ethic and positive attitude.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced, physically active environment.
• A willingness to learn and develop new skills.

The following will be highly regarded but are not essential:

• Experience within the recycling, scrap metal, or resource recovery industry.
• Knowledge of metal grading and material handling processes.
• Experience operating multiple types of mobile plant and equipment.

Why work for us:

• A competitive salary with overtime
• Opportunity to gain further certification and career progression
• Company Paid Parental leave: 12 weeks for primary carers, 6 weeks for secondary carers
• Health and wellbeing support: BUPA discounts and an Employee Assistance Program
• Novated leasing options providing convenience and savings
• Access exclusive superannuation sessions tailored to enhance your understanding and management of superannuation benefits

A career with Sims provides you with the opportunity to work with an organisation whose goal is to be the world’s safest and most responsible recycling company. Our people achieve this by creating a zero-harm workplace, being exemplary members of the communities in which we operate, and being responsible stewards of the environment. We also offer competitive pay and a range of attractive benefits.

At sims together we are a diverse group ofemployees who are supported by our equal opportunity policy. To achieve our purpose to create a world without waste to preserve our planet, we are guided by our Pillars of Purpose: Be Safe + Well, Band Together, Be Accountable + Transparent, Consistently Innovate, Inspire with Purpose, Celebrate + Have Fun.

Why Choose A Career with Sims?

Sims is a hub of innovation, offering employees the chance to explore new ideas and technologies while providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.

With a diverse workforce, Sims fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion where employees can thrive and establish lasting connections. Working at Sims offers the chance to engage with a global network, providing opportunities for travel, cross-cultural experiences, and the ability to contribute to a sustainable future. Sims is renowned as one of the world’s leading sustainable companies, empowering employees to make a difference in creating a world without waste to preserve the planet.

Sims prioritizes employee wellbeing, offering superior benefits packages, meaningful training opportunities, and a supportive atmosphere where employees feel valued and heard at all levels of the organization. Sims maintains a strong focus on safety, where individuals are encouraged to challenge themselves, contribute, and support one another, in a collaborative team environment.