Forklift Operator - St. Louis, MO

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world’s supply chain moving. That’s what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you’re at one of these locations or in a support‑services role, there’s one thread that ties everyone together. We’re all one team. One Watco.

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Paid on‑the‑job training with peer trainers
• Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco’s Safe Performance Center
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities

Pay: $17.50 per hour (Union position)

Schedule: Monday – Friday | 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Equipment: Electric Sit‑Down Forklift (Hyster primarily) | Up to 5,500 lb capacity

Watco is hiring an experienced Electric Sit‑Down Forklift Operator for our St. Louis Gateway Transload Terminal, a 300,000 sq. ft., AIB‑certified, rail‑served warehouse handling food, pharmaceutical, and industrial products. This full‑time, day shift role supports rail and truck transloading in a secure, regulated environment. As a Forklift Operator, this role supports the efficiency of operations at a high‑level performance with a strong emphasis on safety, teamwork, and operational excellence.

Team members must be dependable, follow company safety protocols, wear required PPE, and be available for shift work, overtime, and off‑hour responses.

• Operate forklifts 8k‑65k and up depending on skillset
• Perform inspections of equipment being utilized prior to use and during use as needed
• Demonstrate performance toward operational excellence
• Communicate with operational stakeholders throughout shift
• Wear all Watco and OSHA mandated personal protective equipment
• Able to work with a team, take direction and follow work rules, as well as take on additional job responsibilities as needed
• Demonstrate knowledge of company safety programs

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be able to pass and/or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position and location. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately
• Knowledge of weight limits, load distribution, and material storage protocols
• 3 years of experience working with or around forklifts, with demonstrated skill in safe load handling, stacking, and maneuvering in confined spaces preferred
• Basic mechanical skills with knowledge of equipment inspection, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance preferred
• Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS) or handheld scanners preferred
• Maintain regular, dependable attendance
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including day and night shifts, with availability for overtime, weekends, and holidays as required by business needs
• Forklift Operator certification preferred

High School or GED equivalent