Forklift Driver - 3rd shift

Smurfit Westrock; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Total rewards benefit package after 60

Paid vacation and holidays (prorated)

Career at a global packaging company

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is hiring a Forklift Operator for the Shipping Team in a high‑volume manufacturing plant in Virginia. You will operate a forklift to load/unload trucks, track shipments, and palletize goods while maintaining safety and accuracy.

The shift runs 11PM–7AM with Saturdays as needed. Requires a high school diploma or GED, valid driver’s license, and forklift experience; certification is a plus. Training may last 60 days; benefits kick in after 60 days.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Previous forklift experience in a high-volume environment preferred.
• Forklift driver certification valid within the last 12 months preferred.
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Ability to read and interpret documents and follow maintenance instructions.
• Basic arithmetic including decimals, fractions, and reading a tape measure.
• Good attendance and ability to work overtime and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Inspect the forklift daily at shift start and complete the inspection checklist.
• Safely track and move materials throughout the facility.
• Ensure safety and cleanliness of equipment and work area.
• Load and unload trucks according to standards and customer demands.
• Use an RF scanner for receipts of returns or deliveries.
• Verify counts and descriptions of products and materials received or shipped.
• Support production lines by delivering products as requested.
• Palletize or shrink wrap units as needed.
• Complete paperwork accurately and perform inventory/cycle counts.
• Safely change forklift propane tanks or batteries as needed.
• Assist other departments and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Forklift experience

High-volume environment

English literacy

Good attendance

Overtime willingness

Effective communication

Safety awareness

Read tape measure

AR/RF scanner use

Education

High School diploma or G.E.D.

Job description

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Opportunity summary

As Forklift Driver in our busy shipping bay or warehouse, you will be responsible for operating an industrial forklift to track load and/or unload trucks for delivering the units to customers according to their requirements. You will also keep accurate tally of what is shipped to customers. We are a high-volume manufacturing plant, and you will be part of a team that loads up to 60 trailers a day. You will also be responsible for all activities associated with safely operating the forklift in addition to participating in cross training efforts and sharing duties with other drivers. Our forklift drivers may also operate our banding machines to ensure pallets are ready to load. Training and onboarding take place on the day shift and may last 60 days depending on your ability and readiness to move to the floor. Our plant is not climate controlled.

Forklift Operator – Shipping Team

• c shift 11PM-7AM Monday with Friday with Saturdays as needed

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock

• Inspect the forklift daily at the start of the shift ensuring all safety features are operational. Complete checklist documenting inspection.
• Safely track and move materials throughout the facility safely and efficiently
• Responsible for the overall safety and cleanliness of the equipment and work area.
• Assure all materials shipped and warehouse are handled in a manner that prevents damage
• Load and unload trucks according to department standards and customer demands.
• Use an RF scanner for receipts of returns or deliveries.
• Verify all counts, quantities, quality and descriptions of products and materials received, shipped or warehouse are what is expected.
• Service production lines, delivering products as requested.
• Properly palletize or shrink wrap a unit.
• Timely and accurate completion of paperwork associated with the movement of product & materials.
• Responsible for general cleanliness of the warehouse and loading docks.
• Perform regular inventory and cycle counts.
• Safely change forklift propane tanks and/or batteries as needed.
• Assist other departments as needed. Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Need To Succeed

• High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Previous forklift experience in a high-volume high-speed environment preferred
• Forklift driver certification valid during the last 12 months is preferred
• Knowledge of machinery and how to identify issues and troubleshoot equipment preferred.
• Ability to learn proprietary software programs for the Corrugated Manufacturing systems.
• Must have ability to the basic ability to read and write in English.
• Must have the ability to read and interpret documents, comprehend simple instructions, follow maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Must have ability to perform basic arithmetic dealing with decimals, fractions, rations, etc.
• Ability to read a tape measure.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all employees and to customers, both verbally and in writing
• Must be able to maintain good attendance.
• Must be available to work overtime and weekends or other shifts.
• Physical demand will include the ability to sit for continuous hours, stand, walk, bend kneel, navigate stairs though the entire shift and drive in reverse.

What We Offer

• Corporate culture is based on integrity, respect, responsibility, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• An attractive salary that reflects skills, competencies, and potential.
• Total rewards benefit package starting after 60 days.
• A career in a global packaging company where sustainability, safety and inclusion are business drivers and fundamental elements of daily work

The starting rate is $23.88 per hour, depending on your role, level, and location. The benefits for this role may include short-term bonus incentive, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and paid sick leave as required by applicable state/local law, 5 days of paid vacation prorated year 1, and 10 days of paid holidays, subject to annual change. Your actual pay will be based on your work location and other factors, such as your skills, experience, and education. To learn more about the specific salary range for your preferred location, please contact your recruiter during the hiring process. You may apply online at www.westrock.com/company/careers and the application window is expected to close by 9/10/26

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.