Material Handler/Forklift Operator

North State Steel is a leading structural steel fabrication company that has served clients since 1984 across healthcare, education, entertainment, and commercial industries. Starting from a small shop in Greenville, NC, the company has grown significantly while maintaining a focus on quality, integrity, and craftsmanship. North State Steel is a 100% employee-owned company (ESOP), giving every team member a direct stake in the organization’s success. The company is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality steel solutions on schedule and at a fair price. Its long-standing mission is to build with integrity, deliver with excellence, and stand behind every project.

Material Handler / Forklift Operator

Department: Shop / Fabrication
Reports To: Shop Manager or Designated Supervisor
Location: Greenville or Louisburg, NC

Position Summary

The Material Handler / Forklift Operator is responsible for safely receiving, moving, staging, loading, and unloading structural steel and other materials throughout the fabrication facility and storage yard. This position supports daily shop operations by ensuring materials are properly handled, organized, identified, and delivered to the appropriate work areas in accordance with production schedules. The position requires a strong commitment to safety, attention to detail, and the ability to operate forklifts and other material-handling equipment safely and efficiently.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Material Handling and Movement

• Operate forklifts and other authorized material-handling equipment to move structural steel, fabricated components, and supplies throughout the shop and storage yard.
• Load and unload incoming deliveries and outgoing shipments of steel and related materials.
• Stage and deliver materials to designated fabrication and production areas according to job requirements and production schedules.
• Properly stack, store, and secure materials to maintain organization, accessibility, and safe working conditions.
• Assist with identifying, sorting, and separating materials by size, type, job number, or other applicable markings.
• Verify material identification and quantities against shipping documents, receiving records, or work orders as assigned.

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory

• Assist with receiving, inspecting, and organizing incoming materials and supplies.
• Help prepare fabricated steel and materials for shipment, ensuring items are properly staged and accessible for loading.
• Report damaged, missing, mislabeled, or incorrect materials to the appropriate supervisor.
• Maintain organized material storage areas and assist with inventory counts as needed.
• Support production by ensuring materials are available and delivered to the correct locations in a timely manner.

Equipment Operation and Safety

• Perform daily pre-operation inspections of forklifts and other assigned equipment and report maintenance concerns or defects.
• Operate equipment in accordance with company safety procedures, manufacturer guidelines, and applicable OSHA requirements.
• Follow safe material-handling practices when moving long, heavy, or awkward steel components.
• Use appropriate rigging, lifting attachments, and material-handling equipment only when trained and authorized.
• Maintain awareness of pedestrians, overhead obstructions, other equipment, and changing conditions in the shop and yard.
• Maintain clean and orderly work areas and promptly report unsafe conditions, incidents, or near misses.

Teamwork and General Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively with shop personnel, supervisors, and shipping and receiving staff regarding material needs and movement.
• Follow instructions, production priorities, and established company procedures.
• Assist with other shop, yard, shipping, receiving, and material-handling duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous forklift operation and material-handling experience required.
• Must be able to safely operate a forklift with a lifting capacity of 18,000 lbs. or greater.
• Experience handling structural steel, fabricated metal products, or other heavy industrial materials preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate equipment safely and follow established procedures.
• Ability to read and understand basic material labels, work orders, shipping documents, and written or verbal instructions.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to complete required equipment training and evaluations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials and supplies as required by the position, within applicable safety limits.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, climb steps, and enter or exit equipment throughout the workday.
• Ability to work around heavy steel, moving equipment, industrial noise, dust, and changing indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
• Ability to safely perform duties in a steel fabrication shop and outdoor material storage yard.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, protective footwear, hearing protection, and other designated equipment.
• Ability to maintain visual and situational awareness while operating equipment and working around moving loads.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position is demonstrated by:

• Safe and responsible operation of forklifts and other assigned equipment.
• Accurate and timely movement, staging, loading, and unloading of materials.
• Proper material identification, storage, and organization.
• Consistent support of production and shipping schedules.
• Careful handling of materials to minimize damage, loss, and unnecessary movement.
• Reliable attendance, effective communication, and cooperation with the shop team.
• Compliance with company policies, safety procedures, and housekeeping standards.

Pay: $18.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 – 50.0 per week

Work Location: In person