Freight Handler

Forward Air Corp.; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee stock purchase program

Job summary

Forward Air Corp. is hiring a Freight Handler (Forklift Operator) for full-time, first and second shift in Nashville. Base pay is $20.00/hr with a night differential of $3.00/hr. The role includes loading/unloading freight, operating MHE, and supporting dock operations in a fast-paced environment.

Requires 3+ years dock experience, forklift certification, and strong safety focus; English communication and basic arithmetic are essential for accurate freight handling.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred but not required.
• Valid forklift certification/licensure or ability to obtain before operation.
• 3+ years of dock or warehouse experience required.
• Ability to communicate in English and read safety instructions and freight docs.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic for freight counts and weights.
• Willingness to learn computer systems and handheld scanners.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload freight using forklifts and other MHE safely.
• Move, stage, and sort freight between dock areas and trailers.
• Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
• Assist drivers with loading/unloading following safety procedures.
• Scan and track freight with handheld devices and company systems.
• Identify damaged freight and report issues to supervision.
• Maintain a clean, safe dock environment and follow PPE rules.
• Learn equipment operation and safety protocols while developing skills.
• Support dock productivity and resolve workflow issues.
• Work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.

Skills

English communication

Numeracy

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Pallet jacks

Dollies

Hand trucks

Reach trucks

Sit-down forklifts

Job description

Freight Handler- Full Time- 1st/2nd Shift

Job Info

• Job Identification 42047
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 110 AIRPARK CENTER DRIVE EAST, Nashville, TN, 37217, US
• Job Category Operations: Individual Contributors
• Job Category Logistics and Transportation
• Job Function Operations

Job Description

Compensation

Base Pay: $20.00/hr

Night Shift Differential: +$3.00 / hour

Available Schedules

Schedule 1

Monday: 8:00AM-4:30PM

Tuesday: 10:30AM-7:00PM

Thursday: 10:30AM-7:00PM

Friday: 10:30AM-7:00PM

Saturday: OFF

Sunday: OFF

The Freight Handler (Forklift Operator) is responsiblefor the safe, accurate, and efficient loading, unloading, staging, scanning, and movement of freight. As certified forklift operators within the operation, they provide safe, accurate, and efficient loading, unloading, movement, and documentation of cargo/freight within a multimodal transportation terminal, intermodal yard, warehouse, or dock environment,directly contributing to productivity, workflow coordination, and freight integrity. As the most experienced team members without direct reports, they often assist with mentoring, guiding, and onboarding new Material Handlers and solving complex operational problems on the floor.

Responsibilities

Load and unload freight using sit-down/stand-up forklifts and reach trucks, along with other appropriate Material Handling Equipment (MHE), such as pallet jacks, carts, and dollies, and approved physical lifting techniques.

Move, stage, sort, and position freight between dock doors, trailers, and designated warehouse areas in accordance with operating procedures.

Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.

Assist drivers with loading and unloading activities following dock and safety procedures.

Label, scan, and track freight using handheld scanning devices and company systems to ensure accuracy and documentation integrity.

Identify damaged freight and promptly report issues, unsafe conditions, or equipment concerns to supervisory personnel.

Abide by all company safety policies, OSHA requirements, and PPE standards.

Maintain a clean, safe, and organized dock environment, including work areas, tools, and MHE.

Perform tasks under appropriate supervision while learning equipment operation, safety protocols, and job procedures (for developing roles).

Support dock productivity, workflow efficiency, and overall operational goals.

Work assigned schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime based on business needs.

Safely and accurately handle oversized, high‑value, or complex freight.

Assist with dock coordination, workflow management, and problem resolution.

Prioritize freight and coordinate task assignments, sometimes acting in a lead capacity (without direct supervisory responsibility).

Serve as a subject matter expert on dock operations, equipment, and procedures.

Train, mentor, and support the development of other Material Handlers.

All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)/equivalent preferred but not required.

Certification/Licensure: Valid forklift certification/licensure (or ability to obtain before operating equipment) required.

Experience:3+ years of dock or warehouse experience required.

Communication: Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, to understand safety and operational instructions, work assignments, and freight documentation.

Ability to recognize numbers, labels, barcodes, and freight markings accurately, and to perform basic arithmetic to verify freight counts, quantities, and weights.

Basic arithmetic skills to verify freight counts, quantities, and weights.

Technology: Willingness and ability to learn and use basic computer systems, handheld scanners, and freight-tracking devices.

Equipment: Ability to safely operate material handling equipment (MHE) such as pallet jacks, dollies, hand trucks, order pickers, pallet riders, conveyors, dock plates, dock levelers, sit-down/stand-up forklifts and reach trucks (with company-assisted certification/training), and/or other specialized MHE as required by the site.

Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Physical Demands: Extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting for 8-12 hours per/shift, with the ability to lift, push, pull, and carry freight up to 50lbs without assistance, with occasional lifting of freight up to 75lbs with assistance or mechanical aids throughout each 8-12 hour shift, multiple times per/week.

Vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to work safely in a noisy dock environment.

Environment: Ability to work safely around moving equipment, vehicles, and freight in a non-climate-controlled environment, including frequent exposure to temperature extremes (both hot and cold), occasional outdoor work and/or exposure to precipitation (rain, sleet, snow, etc.), regular exposure to moving equipment, vehicle traffic, exhaust, dust, and moderate to loud noise.

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WHAT WE OFFER

• Compensation: Competitive base pay based on experience, industry/geographic benchmarks and internal equity. Some positions may be eligible for incentive pay programs and/or equity-based incentives. Pay ranges published on job boards are not provided nor verified by the Company.
• Health: Medical and Pharmacy insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA); Vision; Dental; Life and Disability; Critical Illness; Accident Indemnity; Hospital Indemnity; On-demand telehealth via Teladoc; Employee Assistance Program (counseling and financial/lifestyle coaching).
• Wealth: 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match; Employee stock purchase program; Flexible Spending Account (FSA); Commuter Benefits; LegalEASE legal coverage.
• Time: 7 paid holidays and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) tiers ranging from 10–25 days annually.
• Culture: A collaborative, transformation-driven, solutions-first environment full of "can do" attitude and "will do" work ethic.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Agencies: The Company does not accept unsolicited outreach from third parties. Absent an agreement signed by internal Talent Acquisition and Procurement, and a documented request from Talent Acquisition to submit candidates for a specified requisition, we will not approve payments to any third party.
• Work Authorization: Within the United States, the Company is an E-Verify employer. Unless otherwise indicated, U.S.-based workers must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, including but not limited to F-1, H-1, H-2, L, J, and TN visas, etc.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): The Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer . Applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Physical/mental requirements are listed only to identify where potential accommodations may be needed, not as qualification standards. In compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including ADA, ADEA, and FMLA), accommodations may be available to qualified individuals unable to perform essential duties without them. Additional requirements may apply to meet legal, regulatory, and Company standards.
• Recruitment Fraud: We will only contact you from @forwardair.com or @omnilogistics.com emails (system messages may come from @workflow.email.us-phoenix-1.ocs.oraclecloud.com). If reached via Indeed or LinkedIn, verify recruiters by reviewing their LinkedIn profiles. We will never request sensitive personal information outside secure systems, nor ask for purchases. Report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission and your state Attorney General .