Production Worker- First Shift

SONOCO CANADA; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Job summary

Sonoco is seeking a Production Worker in Gastonia for safe, efficient operation of material handling equipment and baling systems. The role supports loading/unloading, staging, and inspection of materials across the plant, with a focus on safety and productivity.

The position requires license/qualification for forklift use, experience with pallet jacks, and the ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. Compensation includes benefits and a daytime shift with potential overtime.

Qualifications

• Experience operating fork trucks and pallet jacks for material handling.
• Experience with baling systems and scrap material preferred.
• Capable of lifting, pushing, pulling, and manual assistance when required.
• Able to work in a fast-paced production environment and follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklift to move bales, boxes, racks and other materials.
• Drive in wastepaper area among other vehicles.
• Unload trailers and stage material.
• Weigh, grade, and inspect unloaded material per specs.
• Record inspections and complete daily PMs per standards.
• Load outbound trailers and perform trailer/container inspections.

Skills

Forklift operation

Pallet jack

Baling system

Skid steer loader

Safety compliance

Material handling

Job description

Location: Gastonia, Position: Production Worker Wage: $ 18.10-19.64 ( based on experience) Shift: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm *Overtime and weekends may be required

From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

What you will be doing:

• Safe and efficient operation of assigned Fork Truck for use in handling bales, boxes, racks, bins, equipment, scrap rolls, etc. from one area of the plant to another.
• This also involves driving in the wastepaper area among other vehicles.
• Must be licensed by Sonoco or the designated agent.
• Sorting/Grading items to type for baling
• Unloading 53’ (or like) Van Trailers consisting of baled and containerized material.
• Able to properly weigh, grade, and stage unloaded material.
• This includes the operation of cameras / smart devices to track non-conforming material.
• Stack and place pallets in designated area (maybe staged trailer)
• Maintain, complete, and turn in all unloading manifests to assigned personnel.
• Load outbound trailers / export containers with designated material for shipment to consuming mill.
• Complete trailer / container inspections.
• Check to ensure all material loaded meets required specifications.
• Understand and implement required loading patterns to maximize weights while staying within legal limits.
• This requires an understanding of different bale types and loading patterns.
• Move and stage material within the plant.
• Catching and properly stacking bales in designated areas.
• Dumping of loose materials from Gaylord containers into appropriate bunkers.
• Inspect equipment daily for safe operation.
• Record findings.
• Perform Daily PMs in accordance to Sonoco’s Maintenance Excellence standards.
• Willingly participates in Sonoco Recycling’s 5S standard.
• Stacking of Pallets.
• Use of hand brooms / rakes / etc. to clean around docks or designated areas of the plant or trailers.
• Picking up debris from the yard or perimeter of the property.
• Be held accountable for assigned area of the plant.
• Assist in cleaning conveyor pits, behind baler rams, and around the baler area.
• Must be proficient in the safe and efficient operation of assigned Skid Steer Loader.
• Feeding loose material onto infeed conveyor for baling.
• Unloading loose material from various sized Van trailers in a safe and efficient manner.
• Loading residue into open top containers for take away.
• Perform other tasks or duties as assigned that relate to the safety, housekeeping, or operation of the plant.
• Performs routine service and care of fork trucks.
• Document inspections.
• Loading and unloading trucks.
• Safe and efficient operation of the baler unit assigned.
• Operate and maintain the baling equipment for all grades.
• Responsible for and monitoring the automatic cycling of the baler to produce maximum-density bales.
• Responsible for maintaining baler production reports.
• Filling vacancies during absences, Perform other assigned duties as tasked.

We’d love to hear from you if:

• Have past work experience of a fork truck and pallet jack for safe operation of handling bales, boxes, racks, bins, equipment, scrap rolls, etc. from one area of the plant to another.
• This also involves driving in the wastepaper area among other vehicles.
• Have experience with Baling System equipment & knowledge of scrap material.
• Can manually push, pull, and lift equipment and materials as needed.
• In all instances that a mechanical means is possible, it is done in this manner, but some manual exertion is still required.
• Can work together as a team and cooperate well with others.

At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits.

*Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.

Benefits

• Benefits Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value-added, sustainable metal and fiber consumer and industrial packaging. The Company is now a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with approximately 22,500 employees working in 270 operations in 40 countries, serving some of the world’s best-known brands. Guided by our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., we strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence to provide solutions that better serve all our stakeholders and support a more sustainable future. Sonoco was proudly named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek.

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