Yard Forklift Operator

Laborup; Town of Mohawk (NY); On-site; USD 48,712,000 - 51,577,000; Full time

Job summary

Laborup is hiring Yard Forklift Operators for a large plastics manufacturing operation in Mohawk, NY. This outdoor role requires operating industrial forklifts to move pallets, load trucks, and stage materials across the yard and shipping areas.

Shifts include day and night with rotating 12-hour schedules and built-in overtime. Safety and accuracy are emphasized as you coordinate with shipping and production teams to maintain efficient yard operations.

Qualifications

• Previous forklift operating experience, preferably with full pallets or larger loads.
• Ability to safely operate forklifts in outdoor yard environments and around trucks and trailers.
• Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions during a 12-hour shift.
• Strong safety, load stability, equipment operation, and material accuracy.
• Must communicate effectively with shipping, production, and yard teams.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate industrial forklifts to transport full pallets of finished products and other large materials.
• Load and unload flatbeds, trailers, and other delivery trucks, ensuring proper positioning and securing loads.
• Organize and stage finished products for outbound shipments and scheduled pickups.
• Maintain orderly outdoor storage areas, pallet locations, and traffic lanes for safe operations.
• Verify pallet quantities, product IDs, and material condition before loading or moving shipments.
• Operate in changing weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and other outdoor conditions.
• Coordinate with shipping, production, and yard personnel to prioritize loading and material movement.

Skills

Forklift operation

Outdoor work

Safety awareness

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Industrial forklift

Job description

Overview

We’re hiring Yard Forklift Operators for a large, established plastics manufacturing operation.

This is a hands-on, outdoor forklift role responsible for moving, organizing, and loading finished products throughout the facility’s yard and shipping areas. You’ll operate larger industrial forklifts to transport full pallets of manufactured products, stage materials for shipment, load and unload trucks, and maintain an organized, efficient yard.

This position involves working outdoors in varying weather conditions, handling large palletized loads, and maintaining a strong focus on safety, accuracy, and efficient material movement.

What makes this role great:

• Independent Work: Take ownership of your yard area, loading priorities, material organization, and equipment throughout the shift
• 50% of Your Days Off: Rotating 12-hour schedules with openings on both days and nights
• Direct Path to Advancement: Advanced production and lead roles are filled from the shop floor, creating opportunities for promotion

Compensation

• $17/hr – Day shift
• $18/hr – Night shift
• Built-in overtime through the rotating schedules
• Full-time, direct-hire – not a temp job

Shift

Multiple openings are available on both days and nights:

• Day Shift: Rotating 2-2-3 schedule, 12-hour shifts
• Night Shift: Rotating 4-on / 4-off schedule, 12-hour shifts

Responsibilities

• Yard Forklift Operation: Safely operate industrial forklifts to transport full pallets of finished products and other large materials throughout outdoor storage and shipping areas.
• Truck Loading & Unloading: Load and unload flatbeds, trailers, and other delivery trucks, ensuring materials are properly positioned, secured, and handled without damage.
• Material Staging: Organize and stage finished products for outbound shipments, ensuring the correct materials are ready for scheduled pickups.
• Yard Organization: Maintain orderly outdoor storage areas, pallet locations, and traffic lanes to support safe and efficient forklift operations.
• Load Verification: Verify pallet quantities, product identification, and material condition before loading, unloading, or moving shipments.
• Outdoor Operations: Safely operate equipment in changing weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and other outdoor environmental conditions.
• Shipping Coordination: Communicate with shipping, production, and yard personnel to prioritize truck loading, material movement, and daily operational needs.

Qualifications

Required

• Previous forklift operating experience, preferably handling full pallets or larger material loads
• Ability to safely operate forklifts in outdoor yard environments and around trucks, trailers, and other equipment
• Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions throughout a 12-hour shift
• Strong attention to safety, load stability, equipment operation, and material accuracy
• Ability to communicate effectively with shipping, production, and yard teams
• Reliable attendance and punctuality

Preferred

• Previous yard forklift, lumber yard, building materials, or outdoor industrial forklift experience
• Experience loading and unloading flatbed trucks, trailers, or other commercial vehicles
• Experience operating larger-capacity industrial forklifts
• Previous manufacturing, shipping, warehouse, or material handling experience
• High school diploma or GED