Lumber Load Builder / Forklift Operator

Colonial Group; Graham (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Ongoing safety and skills training

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Colonial Group is seeking a reliable Forklift Operator / Load Builder to join our warehouse team in Graham, WA. You will load, unload, move, and organize building materials, ensuring orders are accurately prepared for delivery with safe handling practices.

The role requires forklift experience, attention to detail, and commitment to maintaining a safe work environment. Candidates should have a valid forklift certification and basic math skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of 3 months of experience in material handling or related field.
• Valid forklift certification.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, labels, and shipping documents.
• Basic math and counting skills to verify inventory.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload building materials from trucks, pallets, and customer vehicles.
• Safely build and secure loads for delivery, ensuring proper weight distribution and load balance.
• Read work orders and follow instructions to accurately select and prepare materials.
• Move products and materials between storage areas and loading zones using forklifts, hand trucks, electric dollies, and other equipment.
• Secure loads with straps, bracing, or padding to prevent damage during transport.
• Open containers, bundles, and shipments using hand tools as needed.
• Apply tags, labels, and identifying information to materials and inventory.
• Verify materials and quantities against work orders and shipping documentation.

Skills

Forklift operation

Read work orders

Basic math

Inventory verification

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift

Hand tools

Dollies

Job description

Forklift Operator / Load Builder

Job Summary

We are seeking a reliable and safety-focused Forklift Operator / Load Builder to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for loading, unloading, moving, and organizing building materials in the yard and warehouse while ensuring customer orders are accurately prepared for delivery. The ideal candidate has forklift experience, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Load and unload building materials from trucks, pallets, and customer vehicles.
• Safely build and secure loads for delivery, ensuring proper weight distribution and load balance.
• Read work orders and follow instructions to accurately select and prepare materials.
• Move products and materials between storage areas and loading zones using forklifts, hand trucks, electric dollies, and other equipment.
• Secure loads with straps, bracing, or padding to prevent damage during transport.
• Open containers, bundles, and shipments using hand tools as needed.
• Apply tags, labels, and identifying information to materials and inventory.
• Verify materials and quantities against work orders and shipping documentation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of 3 months of experience in material handling, warehouse operations, yard operations, or a related field.
• Valid forklift certification.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, labels, and shipping documents.
• Basic math and counting skills to verify inventory and materials.
• Ability to safely operate forklifts and other material handling equipment.
• Experience using basic hand tools.

Preferred

• Previous experience in a lumber yard, building materials, warehouse, manufacturing, or distribution environment.
• Knowledge of load-building and safe material handling practices.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift and carry materials up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally lift and carry materials up to 80 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, push, and pull throughout the workday.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments with varying weather conditions.

Work Environment

This position works in a warehouse, yard, or production environment and may be exposed to:

• Temperature fluctuations
• Dust and debris
• Equipment and machinery noise
• Moving mechanical equipment
• Industrial worksite conditions

What We Offer

• Competitive pay
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off
• Career growth opportunities
• Ongoing safety and skills training
• Supportive team environment

Join our team and help ensure our customers receive the materials they need safely, accurately, and on time.