Cement Terminal Operator

Becker Wright Consultants; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Becker Wright Consultants seeks an Equipment Operator to safely run telehandlers and related equipment at a marine cement terminal in a dusty outdoor setting. You will support loading, unloading, stacking, and moving bulk cement from vessels, barges, railcars, and trucks.

Responsibilities include pre/post-shift inspections, equipment maintenance, load security, and coordinating with ship crews and stevedores.

Qualifications

• Must have 1–2 years experience operating loading equipment.
• Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Physical ability to climb on/off equipment and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Strong safety mindset and ability to follow procedures.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate telehandlers to lift, transport, stack, and place bulk cement bags, pallets, supersacks, equipment, and other materials within the terminal yard, warehouse, and dock areas.
• Assist with vessel and barge operations by moving materials to/from the dock, supporting ship loaders/unloaders, and coordinating with stevedores and vessel crews.
• Load and unload trucks and railcars using the telehandler; position loads accurately and securely.
• Conduct thorough pre-shift and post-shift inspections of the telehandler and report any defects immediately.
• Perform basic operator-level maintenance and cleaning per manufacturer and company guidelines.
• Follow load charts, stability principles, and operating limits; never exceed rated capacities or work under unsafe conditions.
• Coordinate movements with other terminal staff, truck drivers, and supervisors using radio, hand signals, or verbal communication.
• Maintain clear travel paths, staging areas, and storage zones; assist with general terminal housekeeping and spill cleanup as needed.
• Comply with all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, marine terminal rules, and environmental requirements (dust control, spill prevention).
• Support other terminal activities as assigned, which may include operating forklifts, front-end loaders, or assisting with railcar spotting and minor equipment maintenance.
• Accurately record equipment hours, material movements, and any incidents or near-misses.

Skills

Safety-conscious

Equipment control

Team coordination

Situational awareness

Job description

The Equipment Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of telehandlers (telescopic handlers) and related mobile equipment at a marine cement terminal. This role supports the loading, unloading, stacking, and movement of bulk cement, bagged cement, and related materials from vessels, barges, railcars, and trucks. The operator plays a key part in maintaining continuous product flow, accurate inventory placement, and a safe working environment in a dusty, outdoor, weather-exposed marine industrial setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely operate telehandlers to lift, transport, stack, and place bulk cement bags, pallets, supersacks, equipment, and other materials within the terminal yard, warehouse, and dock areas.
• Assist with vessel and barge operations by moving materials to/from the dock, supporting ship loaders/unloaders, and coordinating with stevedores and vessel crews.
• Load and unload trucks and railcars using the telehandler; position loads accurately and securely.
• Conduct thorough pre-shift and post-shift inspections of the telehandler (tires, hydraulics, boom, forks/attachments, lights, alarms, fluid levels) and report any defects immediately.
• Perform basic operator-level maintenance and cleaning (greasing, fluid checks, debris removal) according to manufacturer and company guidelines.
• Follow all load charts, stability principles, and manufacturer operating limits; never exceed rated capacities or work under unsafe conditions.
• Coordinate movements with other terminal staff, truck drivers, and supervisors using radio, hand signals, or verbal communication.
• Maintain clear travel paths, staging areas, and storage zones; assist with general terminal housekeeping and spill cleanup as needed.
• Comply with all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, marine terminal rules, and environmental requirements (including dust control and spill prevention).
• Support other terminal activities as assigned, which may include operating forklifts, front-end loaders, or assisting with railcar spotting and minor equipment maintenance.
• Accurately record equipment hours, material movements, and any incidents or near-misses.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Proven experience operating loading equipment (minimum 1–2 years preferred).
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, in a dusty industrial environment, and around heavy equipment, vessels, and rail traffic.
• Physical ability to climb on/off equipment, walk on uneven surfaces, lift up to 50 lbs occasionally, and work shifts that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, or overtime as vessel schedules require.
• Strong safety mindset, situational awareness, and ability to follow detailed procedures.

Working Conditions

• Outdoor marine industrial environment with exposure to dust (cement), noise, weather extremes, and moving equipment.
• Shift work may be required to align with vessel arrivals/departures and customer loading schedules.
• Strict adherence to PPE requirements (hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, hearing protection, respirator when required).

Core Competencies

• Safety-first attitude and strict compliance with procedures
• Precise equipment control and spatial awareness
• Reliable communication and teamwork
• Attention to detail and accountability
• Ability to remain calm and focused under time pressure during vessel operations