Material Handler Yard Spotter

Trane Italia; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 55,104,000 - 60,614,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K match

Paid time off

Educational and training opportunities

Job summary

Trane Technologies in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking a Material Handler Yard Spotter to safely move, stage, and coordinate trailers in the finished goods yard. This on-site role requires operating yard spotter equipment, following safety rules, and coordinating with shipping and logistics teams.

Experience with yard operations or heavy equipment is preferred. The position offers full-time hourly compensation and benefits, with overtime opportunities during peak shipping periods.

Qualifications

• Valid driver's license is required.
• Experience operating yard spotter or similar mobile equipment preferred.
• Experience in shipping, logistics, yard operations, transportation, or manufacturing support preferred.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Forklift certification or other powered industrial vehicle experience preferred where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate yard spotter equipment to move, position, and stage trailers.
• Coordinate trailer moves to support daily shipping schedules and yard flow.
• Position trailers at designated locations per priorities and standard work.
• Perform pre/post-shift inspections and report issues.
• Follow yard traffic rules and safety requirements.
• Maintain yard organization and safe working conditions.

Skills

Valid driver's license

Yard spotter operation

Shipping/logistics experience

Outdoor weather resilience

Forklift certification (preferred)

Job description

Be a part of our mission! As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, it’s our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, and through our businesses including Trane®andThermo King, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world’s challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world.

Learn about our benefits designed for you to Thrive at work and at home.

We boldly go.

Where is the work:

On-Site (5 days)

What’s in it for you:

• The Material Handler Yard Spotter role is responsible for supporting finished goods yard and shipping operations through the safe and efficient movement, positioning, and staging of trailers and related equipment to meet daily shipping and operational requirements.
• The Yard Spotter helps maintain trailer flow, yard organization, shipment readiness, and safe traffic patterns throughout the finished goods yard.
• This role works primarily in an outdoor finished goods yard environment and requires the ability to perform effectively in varying and sometimes extreme weather conditions, including rain, heat, snow, ice, wind, and freezing temperatures.

What you will do:

• Responsible for safely operating yard spotter equipment to move, position, and stage trailers within the finished goods yard and shipping areas.
• Coordinate trailer moves to support daily shipping schedules, staging priorities, loading readiness, and yard flow requirements.
• Position trailers at designated staging locations and shipping points in accordance with operational priorities and standard work.
• Perform pre-shift and post-shift inspections of yard spotter equipment and report maintenance, safety, or operating concerns promptly.
• Follow established yard traffic rules, trailer movement procedures, site safety requirements, and equipment operating standards.
• Support safe and efficient trailer flow throughout the yard by maintaining awareness of pedestrians, equipment, traffic patterns, weather conditions, and changing yard activity.
• Communicate effectively with yard leadership, logistics coordinators, shipping personnel, and other team members regarding trailer status, movement priorities, and operational issues.
• Verify trailer identification, placement, and readiness before and after movement activities.
• Assist with yard checks, trailer inventory, and status verification activities as required.
• Support shipping execution by ensuring trailers and finished goods are moved and positioned accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintain compliance with company safety policies, operational procedures, and standard work expectations.
• Help maintain yard organization, housekeeping, and safe working conditions across assigned areas.
• Assist during peak shipping periods, schedule changes, and weather-related events as needed.
• Attend, contribute to, and/or support meetings with team members and management as needed.
• Demonstrate positive and proactive behavior.
• Demonstrate good teamwork and communication skills, including communicating effectively with others.
• Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, and adjusted schedules as required by business needs.

What you will bring:

• Valid driver’s license required.
• Experience operating yard spotter, tractor, trailer-moving equipment, or other related mobile equipment preferred.
• Experience in shipping, logistics, yard operations, transportation, or manufacturing support preferred.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions required.
• Experience working safely around trailers, heavy equipment, and active yard traffic preferred.
• Forklift certification or other powered industrial vehicle experience preferred, where applicable.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, verbally communicate, and listen.
• The employee frequently is required to use hands and arms to operate equipment and controls and may be required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee may be required to enter and exit yard spotter equipment repeatedly throughout the shift.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds frequently and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must be able to work outdoors for extended periods in varying and sometimes extreme weather conditions.

This position requires working primarily in the Grand Rapids finished goods yard and other outdoor shipping-related environments, with approximately 90% of the time spent in an outdoor work setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, trailers, heavy equipment, powered industrial vehicles, and changing weather conditions, including rain, heat, snow, ice, wind, and freezing temperatures. PPE is required in accordance with site policy.

Annual Base Salary Range or Hourly Base Pay Range:

$20.00

Compensation Type:

Hourly

Incentive Eligible:

No

Sales Commission Eligible:

No

Disclaimer

: We strive to provide competitive compensation for this position, tailored to a variety of factors. The actual compensation will depend on elements such as seniority, merit, geographic location, education, experience, travel requirements, and union designation. Our compensation range is generally based on the national average for the country. Additionally, benefits may vary depending on the region, business alignment, union involvement, and employee status.

Thrive at work and at home:

• Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE!
• Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
• 401K match up to 6%, plus an additional 2% core contribution = up to 8% company contribution.
• Paid time off includes 15 vacation days, 9 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave.
• Educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.

Disclaimer: Benefit offerings may vary depending on Collective Bargaining Agreements and local/state regulations.

Safety Sensitive Role:

Yes

The company designates certain roles as Safety Sensitive. Safety Sensitive roles may require that you pass additional drug screening.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.