Material Handler

POET; Obion (TN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive bonuses

Paid time off

Comprehensive benefits

401K with company match

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Safety gear reimbursements

Wellness program

Onsite fitness centers

Job summary

POET, a leading bioethanol producer in Obion, TN, is seeking a Material Handler to load feed and fuel products into trucks and rail cars, and to assist with unloading and grading as trained. This on-site role requires adherence to safety and quality standards in a fast-paced facility.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent; experience with heavy machinery is preferred, and DOT certification is a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Material Handler I: no experience required; Material Handler II: I or equivalent experience.
• Experience operating heavy machinery and loading/unloading equipment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Load trucks and rail cars with feed and fuel products using mechanical equipment and scales.
• Assist with grain product or biomass unloading functions.
• Complete grading of grain products or biomass per training provided.
• Operate machinery and may require DOT certification.

Skills

Heavy machinery operation

Truck loading/unloading

DOT certification

MS Office basics

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Heavy equipment (skid loaders)

Job description

ABOUT POET

At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty years our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products in the world.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Eligible Team Members may receive $$

• Competitive BONUS opportunities - up to SIX bonuses per year (Quarterly Profit Sharing & Value Share)
• Paid time off and paid holidays - 40 hours of PTO available on Day 1, on top of a biweekly PTO accrual program!
• Comprehensive benefits package; Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution
• Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions
• 401K with company match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Attractive Relocation Assistance and Bonus Programs for qualifying positions and/or locations
• Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements
• Discounted home and auto insurance
• All POET Team Members enjoy A multifaceted wellness program encompassing the whole person – mentally, physically, and spiritually 'Family-first' culture
• Onsite fitness centers or fitness reimbursements

JOB SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Material Handler is responsible for loading dried distillers' grains, ethanol, corn oil, wet cake feed, distiller’s syrup, or biomass into trucks and rail cars. Team members in this position use mechanical equipment, meters or scales as well as computers and software equipment when loading products to ensure a timely delivery and product safety. Based on training provided, the Material Handler may also complete the grading of grain products or biomass. This is an on-site role located in Obion, TN.

Responsibilities include:

• Load trucks and rail cars with feed and fuel products of POET bioprocessing facilities using mechanical equipment, meters and scales as required to ensure timely delivery of products.
• Assist with grain product or biomass and supply truck unloading functions.
• Complete the grading of grain products or biomass using training provided.
• Operate large machinery and equipment; may be required to obtain DOT certification.
• Maintain a clean work area.
• Enter bins adhering to POET’s confined space procedures.
• Complete HAZMAT paperwork when necessary.
• Learn, maintain and operate all processes associated with the grains operation including repair and maintenance.
• Remove, install, rebuild, lubricate and clean all equipment associated with the grains process.
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks as directed.
• Be required to work outdoor, weekend, and holidays.
• Must be able to meet call-in requirements as well as work extended hours as necessary.
• Assist with running the bioprocessing facility scale house and learn required software applications.
• Work in an honest and ethical manner; maintain confidentiality on all business related matters.
• Foster a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance at all times.
• Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community.
• Maintain and advance the food safety and quality of POET’s products and processes to deliver a best-in-class culture of quality.
• Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills may be put to a lot of other uses!

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

High school diploma or equivalent required. Experience requirements: Material Handler I: No experience required. Material Handler II: Documented successful performance as a Material Handler I or equivalent work experience required.

• Experience and knowledge in the operation of heavy machinery, skid loaders or other associated heavy loading or material‑moving equipment preferred.
• Experience in truck loading and unloading, including rail tank car and tanker truck preferred.
• DOT certification preferred.
• Knowledge of the basics of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability of learning new programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role has some physical requirements that our team members will need to be able to perform, such as:

• Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel‑toed boots, self‑contained breathing system, hazardous material suit, hearing protection, and harness.
• Working at extreme heights (approximately 150 ft), in confined spaces, and in extreme temperatures from -20 to +100 degrees Fahrenheit, both indoors and outdoors.
• Be able to use the following equipment/tools, with training provided (not all encompassing): various hand tools, skid loader, scoop shovels, pipe wrenches, impact wrench, air hose, and shuttle wagon.
• Must also be able to operate machinery such as a payloader and Trackmobile for long periods of time.
• Frequently: Climb a step ladder and/or stairs
• Walk indoors and outdoors, sometimes over rough, uneven, or wet/slick surfaces
• Reach forward, backward, and overhead to fill railcars
• Reach at arm’s length to gather samples
• Be in awkward back, shoulder, wrists, and hand positions
• Use coordination and grip, with a force of up to 50lbs
• Bend while standing
• Climb in & out of Powered Industrial Vehicles
• Occasionally: Grip with a force of 40lbs to prep rail cars
• Kneel and crouch and pull tools with a force of up to 95lbs
• Carry up 40lbs, sometimes up stairs, with or without assistance
• Pull with a force of up to 120lbs, with or without assistance
• Bend forward to fill railcars

Due to the physical and safety‑sensitive nature of this job, you will be subject to a physical and expected to pass a drug screen during the pre‑screen process. During employment, you’ll be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

CULTURE IS KING AT POET

We’re all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren’t just slogans on our walls. It’s the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work‑life balance. It’s the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

At POET we encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member’s position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset. POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, abilities, merit, and other legitimate business factors, without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, working conditions, promotion, and termination. Over the past 30 years of bioprocessing leadership, we've assembled the industry's strongest team of engineers, scientists, financial analysts and more. Along the way, we've carefully selected team members who share our core values and pride in everything we do. That's common sense—and it's led to some of the most creative bioprocessing work in the world. The people of POET make working here a challenging, exhilarating place to advance a career. They accomplish great things for millions of Americans and find great satisfaction in helping our country in so many ways.