Forklift Operator/Loader

Position Summary

At Western States Metal Roofing, we rely on skilled Forklift Operators to keep materials moving safely and accurately across our warehouse and production areas. In this role, you’ll load/unload trailers, move and store goods, use RF scanners load and track inventory, and perform pre-shift equipment inspections. You’ll collaborate with Shipping/Receiving, Warehouse, and Production teams to support on-time orders and steady production flow. The ideal candidate is certified, safety-minded, detail-oriented, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and occasional overtime. orders and steady production flow. The ideal candidate is certified, safety-minded, detail-oriented, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and occasional overtime.

Essential Responsibilities

Safety and Compliance:

• Perform pre-shift equipment inspections and complete OSHA-required daily checks.

• Follow company policies, facility traffic rules, and legal/OSHA safety guidelines at all times.

• Maintain safe speeds, clear visibility, and proper fork positioning; use required PPE.

• Keep aisles, roadways and work areas clean, orderly, and free of hazards.

• Immediately report hazards, near misses, and equipment defects.

• Report any unsafe or improper loading for transport to upper management. Do not load anything that is not lawfully legal to move on the roadways.

Material Handling and Equipment Operation:

• Operate sit-down and stand-up forklifts to move goods between receiving, storage, production, and shipping areas.

• Load and unload materials from trucks and trailers; position pallets safely in assigned bays.

• Transport raw materials to workstations and return finished goods to staging areas.

• Use pallet jacks, cherry pickers, forklift and related material handling equipment as needed.

• Verify Crate/pallet stability, and ensure proper wrapping/shrink-wrapping prior to movement.

• Use proper equipment for moving products, stacking and storage.

Inventory Control and Documentation:

• Verify, label, scan, and track inventory using RF scanners and/or a warehouse management system (WMS).

• Complete basic shipping/receiving documentation (e.g., manifests, bills of lading) as directed.

• Support put-away, picking, packing, order staging, and trailer loading tasks.

• Rotate stock using FIFO and assist with cycle counts and inventory audits.

• Report shortages, damage, or quality issues to supervisors and Quality Assurance.

Maintenance and Housekeeping:

• Conduct basic cleaning and minor upkeep of forklifts; check batteries, fuel, and fluid levels.

• Document and escalate mechanical issues for repair; remove unsafe equipment from service.

• Maintain cleanliness of fueling stations and surrounding work zones.

• Keep all pallets, wood and packaging in proper order.

• Keep equipment clean and free of debris.

• Keep seating area clean and free of banding, wood and debris.

• Once per week, clean air filter and radiator of dust and debris.

Production and Cross-Functional Support:

• Coordinate material flow with Shipping/Receiving, Warehouse, and Production teams.

• Align handling activities to production schedules and outbound shipping windows.

• Assist with warehouse operations and yard organization as assigned.

• Weigh and record product weights; verify counts and packaging integrity.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent; valid forklift certification (OSHA-compliant).

• 2+ years of Experience operating sit-down and/or stand-up forklifts in warehouse or manufacturing environments.

• Familiarity with RF scanners/WMS and basic shipping/receiving paperwork.

Preferred

• Experience in roofing, building materials, manufacturing, or distribution.

• Strong hand–eye coordination, attention to detail, and safety-first mindset.

• Effective communication; able to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift/move packages as required by the role.

• Ability to work around moving equipment; may include hot and cold environments. Prolonged periods outdoors.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Relationship building

• Professional communication

• Problem solving

• Time management

• Technical product aptitude

• Adaptability

• Cross-functional collaboration

Working Conditions

• Primarily outdoors. Hot and Cold Conditions.

• Full-time; occasional overtime based on demand.

Reporting Structure

Reports To: Production Manager

Works Closely With: Production, Purchasing, Shipping & Logistics

Reasonable Accommodations:

Western States Metal Roofing is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to perform any essential function of this position, please contact the Human Resources department to discuss the available options.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):

Western States Metal Roofing is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. All aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, and training, will be administered without regard to these protected categories.