Freight Handler Part Time

Forward Air Corp.; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; 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 seeking a Forklift Operator to safely load, unload, stage, and document freight in a busy dock/ warehouse environment in Irving, TX.

You will move freight between doors and designated areas, assist with driver loading, and use handheld scanners to ensure accuracy and freight integrity. Qualified candidates have 3+ years in dock/warehouse roles, a valid forklift certification, strong English communication, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly (75 lbs with

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED preferred but not required.
• Certification: Valid forklift certification/licensure required or ability to obtain.
• Experience: 3+ years of dock or warehouse experience required.
• Communication: English communication skills required to understand safety and instructions.
• Physical: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly and 75 lbs with assistance.

Responsibilities

• Move, stage, sort, and position freight between dock doors, trailers, and designated areas following procedures.
• Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
• Assist drivers with loading/unloading while following safety procedures.
• Label, scan, and track freight using handheld devices to ensure accuracy.
• Identify damaged freight and report safety or equipment concerns promptly.
• Maintain a clean, safe dock environment and comply with PPE standards.
• Operate various MHE (pallet jacks, dollies, order pickers, forklifts) per training.
• Support dock productivity and workflow efficiency to meet targets.
• Possibly mentor developing Material Handlers and assist with onboarding.
• Work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.

Skills

English communication

Dock/warehouse experience

Safety awareness

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift certification

MHE operation equipment

Handheld scanners

Job description

• Locations 3800 Cabell Drive, Irving, TX, 75063, US (On-site)


• Job Category Operations: Individual Contributors


• Job Category Logistics and Transportation


• Job Function Operations

Job Description

The 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.