Forklift Operator / Material Handler - Arlington, TX

Forklift Operator / Material Handler

Client: Confidential Metal Recycling / Manufacturing Services Company
Location: Arlington, TX 76001
Employment Type: Temp-to-Hire / Long-Term Assignment
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-3:30 PM
Pay: $19.00-$20.00 per hour to start; review within the first six months
Workplace: On-Site
Department: Revert Operations / Material Handling

Position Summary

A confidential manufacturing services company is seeking a dependable, safety-focused Forklift Operator / Material Handler to support chip processing and metal recycling operations. This role collects, transports, inspects, consolidates, and prepares aluminum chips, scrap solids, cardboard, and other recyclable materials for shipment.

The ideal candidate brings forklift experience, strong safety awareness, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently in production and yard areas. On-site training is provided.

Key Responsibilities

- Safely operate a sit-down forklift to collect, move, and stage chip bins, gaylord boxes, scrap solids, and recyclable materials.

- Transport aluminum chips and scrap from production and yard areas to designated bulk containers; verify material type before moving each load.

- Inspect materials and containers for contamination, trash, mixed metals, damage, or non-compliant material.

- Consolidate materials into properly labeled bulk containers and drain coolant from bins as needed.

- Wrap, prepare, weigh, and load gaylord bags or boxes for shipment; band cardboard boxes during the shift.

- Complete daily forklift inspections, PPE checks, and work-area hazard inspections.

- Update inventory, material quantities, and beginning- and end-of-shift revert reports.

- Report equipment issues, contamination, spills, leaks, and safety concerns promptly.

- Maintain clean, organized work areas; sweep loose chips, respond to spills, and complete end-of-shift cleanup and forklift parking procedures.

- Follow site-specific procedures, forklift load limits, pedestrian traffic rules, and supervisor instructions.

Required Qualifications

- Previous forklift operation experience.

- Ability to safely move, stage, weigh, wrap, and load materials.

- Ability to inspect materials for contamination, damage, and mixed-material issues.

- Basic inventory, documentation, or reporting skills.

- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and communicate concerns clearly.

- Strong safety awareness, attention to detail, reliable attendance, and punctuality.

- Ability to work independently in production and yard areas.

- Availability Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-3:30 PM.

Preferred Qualifications

- Sit-down forklift experience and prior forklift certification or employer training.

- Material handling, warehouse, recycling, manufacturing, yard, production, or industrial experience.

- Experience handling metal chips, scrap metal, recyclable materials, bulk containers, gaylord boxes, or production scrap.

- Experience with banding equipment, plastic wrap, pallet jacks, scales, forklift checklists, and inventory updates.

Ppe And Work Environment

Required PPE may include safety glasses, steel-toe boots, cut-resistant gloves, hearing protection, and a high-visibility vest where required. Additional PPE and site procedures apply.

The work environment includes production and yard areas, forklifts, trucks, bins, sharp metal chips, scrap material, noise, dust, outdoor exposure, and possible fluid spills. Employees must follow equipment and pedestrian safety procedures and keep travel paths clear.

Physical Requirements

The role involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, getting on and off forklift equipment, and material handling throughout the shift. Duties include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, wrapping, banding, staging materials, and cleaning work areas. Specific physical demands will be reviewed during the hiring process.

Ideal Candidate

A reliable forklift operator who stays organized, understands material flow and production support, checks materials carefully, maintains a clean work area, and communicates concerns before they become larger problems.