Missouri - Yard Forklift Operator 1st Shift

Date Posted: 10/26/2026

Location: Springfield, MO

Job Category: South Production

Salary Interval: Hourly

Pay Range: N/A

Who We Are: Merrill Steel is a family-owned company that has been in central Wisconsin for the past 60 years. Now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we’re building bigger and better than ever. From stadiums to hospitals and skyscrapers, our complex structural steel and plate fabrications are the backbones of many massive projects all over the country.

What Makes Us Different: We recognize that our employees are our most valuable asset. It is our intention to make continuous improvements to ensure our employees enjoy coming to work. Here is a list of just some of the things we offer:

• Flexible Scheduling: Second shift operates Monday– Friday from 5:30 pm – 5:00 am, Fridays are voluntary. Second shift employees receive a night shift premium of $1.60/hour effective immediately.
• Innovative and Affordable Healthcare: We have put a lot of effort into being able to provide good healthcare at a very affordable cost to our employees. We have an onsite clinic that you and your family can use. Insurance available on the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Extensive Wellness Plan: You can earn enough $ to meet your annual deductible through participation in the yearly wellness program.
• Health Savings Account
• Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability Insurance
• PTO: Time awarded after 30 days of employment
• 9 Paid Holidays Per Year
• Yearly Tuition Reimbursement
• Milestone Anniversary gifts
• Safety Boots and Glasses: In addition to offering a generous company contribution each year, we also have companies come onsite for fitting and purchasing.
• Celebrations Throughout the Year: annual family fun day, annual Christmas party, Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas hams, popcorn Wednesdays, monthly celebration meals.

Department: Production / Yard Operations

Reports To: Prep Lead

Location: Springfield, Missouri

Work Schedule: Approximately 44–55 hours per week

The Yard Forklift Operator is responsible for safely operating large outdoor forklifts and combi-lifts to unload, transport, organize, store, and stage structural steel materials. This position supports production operations by moving processed steel to designated fabrication areas, supplying departments according to pick lists, loading and unloading trucks and railcars, maintaining accurate inventory records, and keeping the yard organized and safe.

The ideal candidate has experience operating forklifts to move large steel members, can identify structural steel sizes and shapes, and consistently follows safe material‑handling practices.

• Safely operate large outdoor forklifts and combi-lifts to move, load, unload, and position steel materials.
• Transport processed steel from saws and Python machines to designated fabrication staging areas.
• Unload incoming trucks and railcars using appropriate equipment and established safety procedures.
• Assist with loading oversized steel onto trucks using approved equipment and material-handling methods.
• Supply production departments with materials according to pick lists, work instructions, and production requirements.
• Identify structural steel sizes, shapes, and types to ensure accurate material handling, storage, and placement.
• Store steel in designated yard locations and maintain an organized, orderly, and safe work environment.
• Complete daily equipment inspections, inventory records, checklists, and other required documentation accurately.
• Identify and help resolve material shortages, overages, and discrepancies in coordination with Purchasing and other departments.
• Inspect equipment and attachments…