Load Builder I Material Handler | Forklift Operator

Builders FirstSource; Arlington (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Builders FirstSource is hiring a Load Builder to join our Arlington, WA yard team. You will load, unload, and organize building materials, prepare delivery loads, and support daily yard operations.

A safety-minded approach and accuracy are essential as you build balanced loads for on-time customer deliveries. The role requires reading work orders, operating forklifts, and collaborating with team members in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or preferred.
• Forklift certification required or can be obtained per policy.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, shipping docs and labels.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, especially with loads.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload building materials safely and efficiently.
• Build and balance customer delivery loads with proper weight distribution.
• Secure loads using straps, bracing, padding to prevent movement.
• Review orders to determine materials to move, stage, or load.
• Operate forklifts and material-handling equipment in yard or facility.
• Label and organize materials to ensure accurate inventory control.
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment and follow safety policies.

Skills

Forklift certification

Read work orders

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Safety mindset

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Ignite your career at Builders FirstSource, America’s largest supplier of building materials, value-added components and building services to the professional market. The #1 name in our industry, we help make the dream of home ownership more achievable every day. At BFS, you’ll be equipped with all the tools, training, and resources you need, and you’ll be empowered to try new things, gain new experiences, and build a career with unlimited horizons.

Load Builder/Forklift Operator

Location: Arlington, WA Yard

We are seeking a reliable and safety-minded Load Builder to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for safely loading, unloading, and organizing building materials while preparing delivery loads for customer job sites. The ideal candidate takes pride in accuracy, works efficiently in a fast-paced environment, and is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards.

As a Load Builder, you play a critical role in ensuring customers receive the right materials in a safe and timely manner by building balanced, secure loads and supporting daily yard operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Load and unload building materials from trucks, pallets, and customer vehicles safely and efficiently.
• Build customer delivery loads by determining the appropriate weight distribution, product placement, and load configuration to ensure safe transportation.
• Secure loads with strapping, bracing, padding, or other materials to prevent shifting or damage during transit.
• Review work orders and customer requests to identify materials that need to be moved, staged, or loaded.
• Transport materials throughout the yard or facility using forklifts, hand trucks, electric dollies, or other material-handling equipment.
• Open containers, units, slings, and loads using appropriate hand tools and equipment.
• Label, tag, or mark materials to ensure accurate identification and inventory control.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work environment.
• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and best practices to protect team members and customers.
• Participate in safety meetings and training programs as required.
• Recommend improvements to safety procedures and operational efficiency when appropriate.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) months of experience in a lumber yard, warehouse, manufacturing, distribution, or similar environment preferred.
• Forklift certification required or the ability to obtain certification as required by company policy.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, shipping documents, and material labels.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety and safe material-handling practices.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 80 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, reach, push, pull, climb, and kneel throughout the workday.
• Ability to safely operate material-handling equipment and tools.
• Capable of working in a physically demanding environment while maintaining productivity and safety standards.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily in a lumber yard, warehouse, or production environment.
• Regular exposure to varying weather conditions and temperature fluctuations.
• Frequent exposure to moving equipment, mechanical parts, dust, and noise.
• May work around industrial machinery and other equipment requiring adherence to strict safety protocols.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required based on job duties and work location.

Why Join Our Team?

At our company, you'll be part of a hardworking team dedicated to delivering quality products and exceptional service. We offer a supportive work environment, opportunities for career growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on our daily operations. If you're dependable, safety-focused, and enjoy working in a hands-on environment, we'd love to hear from you.

At BFS, we want you and your career to be greater than what you ever could have expected. Our supportive, people -first culture will build you up and empower you to do more, be more, and become better every day. Join us and see what’s possible when you can rise to new challenges, learn new skills, and add to your career tool belt every day.

In addition to the base wage listed, team members are also eligible to earn an additional incentive subject to changes in plan design and documents and in accordance with applicable law. Eligibility and the amount of the incentive varies based on the terms and conditions of the locations’ active incentive plan for the respective year. To help keep BFS employees safe, we actively enforce our drug free workplace expectations. This role is a safety sensitive position for which impairment while working presents a substantial risk of death, which means candidates must complete our pre-employment drug testing process, which includes marijuana.

At Builders FirstSource, we offer competitive, affordable benefits designed to make life better for you and the people you love. Our goal is simple — provide great plans that help you and your family to live happier, healthier and more secure lives. This role is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance plans, 401(k) retirement savings plan, PTO (including paid sick time), and 8 paid holidays per year (for salaried and hourly team members). Details about Builders FirstSource’s benefits offerings are available here www.bldrbenefits.com

Builders FirstSource is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Builders FirstSource, please call [phone] or email: [e-mail]. Please do not send resumes to this email address - it is intended only to be used to request an accommodation in submitting an application for a job opening.

If there's legally required pay transparency information missing from our job posting, it's not intentional and we'd like to know. To let us know, please email the job title and location to [e-mail]. Please do not send resumes to this email address - it is intended only be used to provide a notice of non-compliance.

Please note that due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries about the status of your application.