Raw Material Equipment Operator

Brief Description

Job Summary:

The Raw Material Equipment Operator safely operates front-end loaders, forklifts, excavators, and other mobile equipment to transport, process, store, and stage raw materials while supporting material recovery, inventory movement, housekeeping, equipment inspections, and overall Furnace Department operations.

Essential Job Duties / Responsibilities:

• Safely operate front-end loaders, forklifts, excavators, and other authorized mobile equipment to support daily operations.
• Process and transport scrap material received from the Receiving Department for use in the blast furnaces.
• Process and transport dross material generated by the Refining Department for furnace production.
• Transport battery breaker group material to designated storage areas using a front-end loader.
• Load, unload, stockpile, organize, and stage raw materials for efficient furnace operations.
• Assist with maintaining proper inventory and organization of raw material storage areas.
• Inspect materials for contamination or abnormalities and report concerns to supervision.
• Support furnace operations by ensuring raw materials are delivered in a timely manner.
• Assist with loading trucks, trailers, bins, containers, and material storage areas as required.
• Operate equipment safely around pedestrians, production personnel, and other mobile equipment.
• Perform routine equipment inspections, lubrication, fueling, cleaning, and minor preventive maintenance.
• Complete daily equipment inspection reports and report mechanical deficiencies immediately.
• Maintain clean work areas in accordance with plant housekeeping and 6S standards.
• Assist with cleanup of material spills and maintain safe traffic routes throughout the department.
• Participate in special construction, demolition, cleanup, and improvement projects supporting the Furnace Department.
• Assist other departments during outages, shutdowns, emergency repairs, or special operational projects as assigned.
• Follow all company safety policies, environmental regulations, and standard operating procedures.
• Properly wear all required PPE including respirator, hard hat, hearing protection, gloves, coveralls, safety glasses, and steel-toe boots.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and company operational needs.
  
  

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to safely operate forklifts, front-end loaders, excavators, and other mobile equipment.
• Knowledge of safe material handling and industrial equipment operating practices.
• Ability to transport, organize, and stage raw materials efficiently.
• Basic mechanical aptitude for conducting equipment inspections and recognizing maintenance needs.
• Ability to work safely around heavy industrial equipment and moving vehicles.
• Ability to recognize unsafe conditions and immediately report safety concerns.
• Strong organizational and housekeeping skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision or as part of a team.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated reliability, dependability, and commitment to workplace safety.
• Ability to adapt to changing operational priorities and support multiple departments when needed.
  
  

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Work performed in a heavy industrial manufacturing environment.
• Frequent exposure to heat, cold, dust, vibration, noise, moving machinery, and varying weather conditions.
• Frequent standing, walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to lift and carry 30–50 pounds throughout the work shift.
• Ability to safely enter and exit mobile equipment multiple times daily.
• Frequent outdoor work regardless of weather conditions.
• Required to wear all assigned PPE, including respirator, hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, coveralls, and steel-toe boots.
• Must comply with OSHA regulations, environmental policies, and company safety procedures.
• Must follow all plant hygiene and contamination control procedures.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and physical.
• Ability to safely operate or learn to operate forklifts, loaders, excavators, and other mobile equipment.
• Ability to read and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Strong attendance and dependability.
• Ability to work with or without direct supervision.
• Ability to work overtime or occasional weekends as operational needs require.
• Ability to wear all required PPE.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license.
• Previous experience operating forklifts, front-end loaders, excavators, or similar heavy equipment.
• Experience in manufacturing, recycling, mining, construction, or heavy industrial environments.
• Experience with material handling, stockpile management, or raw material storage operations.
• Experience working in environments requiring respirator use.