Freight Handler-Part Time- Multiple Shifts

Forward Air Corp.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forklift Operator at Forward Air Corp. in Buffalo, NY, onsite, is responsible for the safe, accurate, and efficient loading, unloading, staging, scanning, and movement of freight within a multimodal terminal. As an experienced team member, you mentor new Material Handlers and help resolve operational issues on the floor.

Compensation is $19.30 per hour with a Monday–Friday schedule 8am–12pm, onsite. This role requires forklift certification, 3+ years of dock/warehouse experience, strong

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred but not required.
• Valid forklift certification/licensure required before operating equipment.
• 3+ years of dock or warehouse experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read numbers, labels, barcodes, and freight markings accurately.
• Willingness to learn and use basic computer systems and scanners.
• Ability to safely operate MHE and lift up to 50–75 lbs with/without assistance.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload freight using forklifts and other MHE, following safety rules.
• Move, stage, sort, and position freight between doors and areas.
• Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
• Assist drivers with loading/unloading and safety procedures.
• Label, scan, and track freight to ensure accuracy.
• Identify damaged freight and report issues to supervision.
• Maintain a clean, safe dock and comply with OSHA PPE standards.
• Learn equipment operation and safety procedures on the job.
• Support dock productivity and meet operating goals.
• Work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Safely handle oversized or high‑value freight.
• Assist with dock coordination and workflow management.
• Prioritize tasks and may act in a lead capacity without supervision.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert on dock operations and procedures.
• Train, mentor, and support development of other Material Handlers.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs.

Skills

Forklift operation

Warehouse experience

English communication

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Tools

Handheld scanners

Freight-tracking devices

Job description

The Forklift Operator is responsible for 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.

Compensation: $19.30 per hour

Schedule: Monday- Friday 8am-12pm (as needed), 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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