Forklift Operator

Silgan Containers Mfg Corp; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Career growth

Safety focus

Long-term career

Job summary

Silgan Containers is seeking an experienced Forklift Operator in Fort Dodge, IA to move raw materials, WIP, and finished goods across the plant. The role supports production and warehouse operations with a safety‑conscious approach and teamwork. Competitive starting pay and opportunities to develop material‑handling skills are offered.

The position emphasizes hands‑on material movement, loading, unloading, and ensuring timely shipments while maintaining a clean, safe work environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated forklift operating experience.
• Ability to complete forklift certification if not already certified.
• Safely operate forklifts in manufacturing/warehouse settings.
• Strong attention to detail and safety awareness.
• Dependable attendance in a fast-paced environment.
• Teamwork and collaboration with other departments.

Responsibilities

• Operate different types of forklifts to move raw materials, finished goods, and WIP materials throughout the plant.
• Load trucks with finished sheet metal and prepare products for shipment.
• Load cut-sheet material onto platforms for transport through production lines.
• Prepare finished goods for transfer to other departments.
• Unload coil loads, raw materials, and other supplies from incoming trucks.
• Supply production lines with materials and ensure availability for continuous operations.
• Transport unfinished and finished products between production, storage, and shipping areas.
• Empty scrap tubs and dispose of metal waste safely.
• Assist with inventory counts, material tracking, and order preparation.
• Follow all safety policies and forklift procedures; maintain a clean work environment.

Skills

Forklift experience

Forklift certification

Attention to detail

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Dependable attendance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Forklift Operator – Manufacturing & Shipping/Receiving Location: Fort Dodge, Iowa Starting Pay: $25.34 per hour Company: Silgan Containers Build Your Career with Silgan Containers! Are you an experienced forklift operator looking for a stable manufacturing career with competitive pay? Silgan Containers is hiring a Forklift Operator in Fort Dodge, Iowa! Join our team and play an essential role in keeping production, shipping, and receiving operations running safely and efficiently. As a Forklift Operator, you will operate various types of forklifts to move raw materials, work-in-process materials, finished products, and scrap throughout our manufacturing facility. Your work will directly support production lines, warehouse operations, and the timely shipment of finished goods. If you have forklift experience in a manufacturing or warehouse environment and take pride in safety, accuracy, and teamwork, we want to hear from you!

What We Offer You

• Competitive starting pay of $25.34 per hour
• Opportunity to work for a leading manufacturer in the metal food packaging industry
• A hands‑on role supporting manufacturing, logistics, and warehouse operations
• The opportunity to develop your material‑handling and forklift operating skills
• A safety‑focused work environment
• A chance to build a long‑term career with Silgan Containers

Forklift Operator – Key Responsibilities

As a Forklift Operator, you will be responsible for safely transporting materials and supporting daily plant operations.

• Operate different types of forklifts to move raw materials, finished goods, and work‑in‑process materials throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Load trucks with finished sheet metal and prepare products for shipment.
• Load cut‑sheet material onto platforms for transport through manufacturing production lines.
• Prepare finished goods for transfer to other departments.
• Unload coil loads, raw materials, and other supplies from incoming delivery trucks.
• Supply production lines with raw materials and ensure materials are available to support continuous manufacturing operations.
• Transport unfinished and finished products between production, storage, and shipping areas.
• Empty scrap tubs and safely dispose of metal waste in designated areas.
• Assist with inventory counts, material tracking, and order preparation as needed.
• Follow all company safety policies, forklift operating procedures, and manufacturing guidelines.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

Forklift Operator Job Requirements

• Demonstrated forklift operating experience.
• Ability to successfully complete the company forklift certification test if not already certified.
• Ability to safely operate forklifts in a manufacturing or warehouse environment.
• Strong attention to detail, safety awareness, and teamwork.
• Dependable attendance and the ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced manufacturing setting.

Required Experience & Education

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience working in a manufacturing facility or warehouse.
• Six months to two years of forklift operating experience in a manufacturing, warehouse, shipping, receiving, or material‑handling environment preferred.
• Experience moving sheet metal, coils, raw materials, or finished products is a plus.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The Forklift Operator must be able to perform the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Stand, walk, kneel, stoop, crawl, and squat as needed throughout the workday.
• Remain on your feet and operate equipment for extended periods, including shifts of up to 12 hours.
• Lift, push, and pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work safely around manufacturing equipment, moving materials, forklifts, and metal products.
• Follow all required plant safety procedures and personal protective equipment requirements.

Why Work for Silgan Containers?

Silgan Containers is America’s largest metal food packaging producer, providing essential packaging products to customers across the country. Our company is committed to safety, operational excellence, sustainability, and the development of our employees. When you join Silgan Containers, you become part of a team dedicated to:

• Safety: Promoting a culture focused on protecting our employees and achieving our Drive to Zero Injuries goals.
• Stability: Building a career with an established leader in the essential food packaging industry.
• Sustainability: Reducing our carbon footprint, supporting recyclable packaging solutions, and pursuing environmental stewardship.
• Teamwork: Working together to keep manufacturing and shipping operations running efficiently.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform other job‑related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at‑will” basis.

Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status.

Silgan is a drug‑free workplace. This page is specific to Silgan Containers, Silgan Closures, Silgan Plastics, Silgan Plastics Food Containers and Silgan Specialty packaging.