Forklift Operator

Plain Dealing Lumber; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Plain Dealing Lumber is seeking a Forklift Operator to safely move lumber and materials through the sawmill, planer mill, and shipping areas. You will support production flow, inventory accuracy, and shipping while following strict safety procedures.

Typical responsibilities include loading/unloading, transporting materials between departments, and conducting pre-shift inspections. Candidates should have forklift certification and experience in lumber environments, with strong teamwork and

Qualifications

• Experience in a sawmill, lumber yard or manufacturing environment.
• Forklift certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Experience loading lumber, bundles, or oversized materials.
• Familiarity with inventory or shipping documentation.
• Safety awareness and attention to detail.
• Hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.
• Time management and reliability.
• Teamwork and communication.
• Equipment care and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate forklifts and material-handling equipment to move lumber, pallets, and materials
• Load and unload trucks, trailers, and railcars as required
• Transport raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods between departments
• Stack, stage, and organize lumber in designated yard and warehouse locations
• Verify loads for accuracy, stability, and damage prior to movement
• Follow load capacity limits and secure materials properly
• Conduct pre-shift forklift inspections and report mechanical issues immediately
• Assist with inventory counts and material tracking as needed
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas
• Comply with all company safety rules, PPE requirements, and forklift operating procedure

Skills

Sawmill experience

Lumber yard experience

Manufacturing experience

Forklift operation

Safety awareness

Time management

Reliability

Teamwork

Communication

Hand-eye coordination

Spatial awareness

Equipment care

Accountability

Tools

Forklift certification

Job description

Job Description

The Forklift Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of lumber, materials and products throughout the sawmill, planer mill and shipping areas. This role supports production flow, inventory accuracy, and shipping operations while maintaining strict adherence to safety standards and procedures.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Safely operate forklifts and material-handling equipment to move lumber, pallets, and materials
• Load and unload trucks, trailers, and railcars as required
• Transport raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods between departments
• Stack, stage, and organize lumber in designated yard and warehouse locations
• Verify loads for accuracy, stability, and damage prior to movement
• Follow load capacity limits and secure materials properly
• Conduct pre-shift forklift inspections and report mechanical issues immediately
• Assist with inventory counts and material tracking as needed
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas
• Comply with all company safety rules, PPE requirements, and forklift operating procedure

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Required:

Sawmill, lumber yard, or manufacturing experience

Forklift certification (or ability to obtain certification)

Experience loading lumber, bundles, or oversized materials

Familiarity with inventory or shipping documentation

Safety awareness and attention to detail

Hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness

Time management and reliability

Teamwork and communication

Equipment care and accountability

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in a sawmill, lumber yard or manufacturing environment

Forklift certification or willingness to obtain certification

Experience loading lumber, bundles, or oversized materials

Familiarity with inventory or shipping documentation

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Must be able to stand 100% of scheduled shift. Lifting, pushing, prying and dragging heavy materials.

Must be capable of bending, stooping, crawling under or over and occasionally climbing stairs/ladders heights up to 6 or 7 feet.

Abnormal levels of noise due to grinding, chipping, hammering require hearing protection (ear plus) to be always worn.

Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment

Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds

Position requires manual dexterity, arm-hand steadiness and a safety-minded individual.

Must be able to work in an open environment exposed to extreme temperatures.

Outdoor yard work in varying weather conditions

Full time; shift assignment based on production needs

Overtime, nights, weekends or holidays may be required.