Freight Handler- Full Time- Multiple Shifts

Forward Air Corp.; Hempfield Township (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 2,921,000 - 3,306,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Air Corp. is seeking a Dock/Material Handler to load and unload freight, operate forklifts and MHE, and assist drivers on an onsite facility in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires forklift certification (or ability to obtain), 3+ years dock experience, and strong English communication, with attention to safety and accurate freight documentation.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Forklift certification/licensure required or ability to obtain before operating equipment.
• 3+ years dock or warehouse experience required.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, to understand safety and freight documentation.
• Ability to recognize numbers, labels, barcodes, and freight markings accurately, and perform basic arithmetic.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload freight using forklifts and other MHE following safety procedures.
• Move, stage, sort, and position freight between dock doors and trailers.
• Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
• Assist drivers with loading/unloading activities.
• Label, scan, and track freight using handheld devices and company systems.

Skills

English communication

Basic arithmetic

Attendance reliability

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Handheld scanners

Freight-tracking devices

Pallet jacks

Reach trucks

Sit-down/stand-up forklifts

Job description

Compensation

Compensation: $21.56-$24.00 per hour

Schedule

~Monday- Friday 7am-3:30pm, onsite

~Monday- Thursday, Saturday 7am-3:30pm, onsite

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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