Wheel Loader Operator

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Discounted health insurance

Retail products for family

Job summary

WM New Zealand is seeking a Loader Operator to safely operate processing equipment and plants, ensuring efficient outputs while following health and safety policies. The role involves quality checks, general labour tasks, and collaborating with the supervisor to meet production plans.

You will participate in a safety-first culture, perform daily maintenance of machinery, and support other processes as required by the Supervisor, leveraging your hands-on skills and reliability.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Forklift OSH certificate, F endorsement or relevant experience.
• First Aid certificate or knowledge with strong health and safety awareness.
• Physically fit, able to lift 20–30 kg across shifts.
• Flexible days and hours.
• Reliable and punctual with own transport.
• Plastics background in material compounding advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Operate processing equipment and plant in a safe, efficient manner to achieve optimum outputs.
• Undertake duties as directed by shift supervisor, production manager or factory manager.
• Ensure paperwork and quality checks are completed correctly; escalate out-of-spec measurements.
• Scrap and housekeeping tasks, including sweeping and assisting other staff as required.
• Maintain machine performance and settings for optimum operation.
• Label finished goods with correct descriptions for storage.
• Support safety-first culture and contribute to HSEQ compliance.
• Carry out daily service and maintenance of machinery.
• On-site operation of the screen; ensure it remains clean and jam-free.
• Assist with other processes as required by the Supervisor.

Skills

Communication skills

Forklift OSH

First Aid

Physical fitness

Flexible schedule

Reliability

Job description

Company Description

About Us

Let’s take care of work that matters - people, place and purpose. From roads to recycling to reporting, everyone at WM New Zealand (WM) helps take care of our people, protect our whenua and support our communities.

We’re more than waste management – we’re problem solvers, innovators, and hands‑on doers. Every one of us, whether behind the wheel, on the tools, or shaping strategy behind the scenes, is helping build a better Aotearoa.

We all pull together on this waka and if you want work that matters, with people who’ve got your back, you’re in the right place.

Job Description

About the role

Loader Operator is responsible to operate all processing equipment and plant in a safe and efficient manner ensuring optimum outputs are achieved. Undertake all and any other duties as tasked by shift supervisor, production manager or factory manager.

This key operational role will require someone who is motivated and diligent with the ability to analyse issues critically and optimise outcomes. It is also essential that you are fully committed to Health and Safety, follow prescribed policies and procedures, drive a positive culture and lead by example.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Ensure all paperwork and quality checks are carried out correctly and any out of spec measurements are escalated accordingly
• General labour as required, including sweeping, cleaning or assisting other staff or fixing pallets or other operations as required by the supervisor.
• Ensure production process meets plan and process non‑conformances are addressed.
• Inspect materials prior to processing to see they are clean & free of contaminants and is the correct type to be processed.
• Monitoring machine performance & settings to maintain optimum performance.
• Finished goods to be clearly marked & labelled with the correct description to be stored.
• Participate in the company’s safety‑first culture that supports continuous HSEQ, improvement and risk management compliance.
• Perform all required daily service and maintenance of machinery and operate in a safe and efficient manner.
• On site operation of the screen, ensuring the screen is clean, maintained and operates free of product jams
• Assist onsite with the operation of other processes as required by the Supervisor, in line with skills and training.

Qualifications

About you

• Good communication skills verbal and written.
• Forklift OSH certificate, F endorsement or experience highly desirable.
• First Aid certificate or knowledge, coupled with a strong health and safety awareness.
• Physically fitand ability to comfortably lift 20-30 kgs across the shift.
• Flexible in approach to days and hours of work.
• Reliable andpunctualhave own means of transport.
• Exposure to having worked in a plastics background in material compounding will be advantageous.

Additional Information

What is in it for me?

We offer a competitive salary, career progression, access to discounted health insurance and a variety of retail products for you and your family to enjoy just to name a few!

You will also be part of a great team committed to providing a comprehensive one-stop service to meet a broad range of facility, waste, recycling and industrial needs of our clients.

Additional information

WM is an EEO employer and promotes drug and alcohol-free workplaces.

You must be in New Zealand and hold a current work visa/residency or NZ citizenship.