Forklift Operator And Material Handler

Forklift Operator And Material Handler

This role combines sit-down forklift operation with hands-on material handling in a clean, well-lit vacuum carburizing and hardening facility. You will load and unload trucks and trailers, move parts and products throughout the facility, and support general labor tasks while working with a small, collaborative team. The position offers significant independence, ownership of your work, and opportunities for growth within a specialized manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate a sit-down forklift safely and efficiently for approximately 20% of the workday.
• Load and unload trucks and trailers on the dock with parts and products, ensuring accuracy and care in handling.
• Perform general labor and material handling tasks throughout the facility when not operating the forklift.
• Lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds as part of daily operations.
• Handle and unload parts related to government contracts, including items such as handguns, barrels, and other components, following all safety and handling procedures.
• Transport materials between vacuum equipment, quenching chambers, and tempering furnaces as needed to support production.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area to support the facility’s high standards of cleanliness and safety.
• Work independently for the majority of the day while communicating effectively with the small team and ownership when needed.
• Follow all workplace safety guidelines and operational procedures in a warm environment with active furnaces.

Essential Skills

• 12 years of sit-down forklift experience in a production, warehouse, or industrial environment.
• Proven ability to safely operate a sit-down forklift for loading and unloading trucks and trailers.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Experience with material handling and general labor tasks in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Comfort working in a warm environment due to furnaces operating inside the facility.
• Ability to work independently for most of the day while staying productive and focused.
• Attention to detail when handling parts and products, including items for government contracts.
• Reliable work habits, including punctuality and consistent performance on a first-shift schedule.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience loading and unloading parts and products from trucks and trailers.
• Experience in handling metal components, firearms parts, or similar precision items.
• Familiarity with vacuum carburizing, heat treating, or related industrial processes is a plus.
• Comfort working in a small-team environment where each person has visible impact and ownership.
• Willingness to perform a mix of forklift operation and off-lift tasks throughout the day.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with team members and facility leadership as needed.

Why Work Here?

You join a small, close-knit team where you are recognized as an individual, not a number, and enjoy a culture built on respect, independence, and growth. The role offers rare weekend work, promoting work-life balance, along with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with matching, paid time off and vacation, and clear opportunities to grow within a specialized, high-tech industrial environment.

Work Environment

The role is based in a newer, Nadcap-accredited vacuum carburizing and hardening facility located near Interstate 80 in the Eastern Iowa Industrial Park. The building houses multi-chamber vacuum equipment, oil and gas quenching chambers, and both traditional and vacuum tempering furnaces, creating a very warm environment inside due to active furnaces. The facility is clean, well-lit, and designed for efficient material flow.

You work…