Forklift Operator

Job Summary

The Forklift Operator safely moves, loads, unloads, stages, stacks, and restocks brick products in the loading yard. Responsibilities include inspecting forklifts, verifying products and quantities, repairing and securing brick cubes, maintaining accurate inventory information, and keeping work areas clean and organized. The position requires constant awareness of pedestrians, trucks, railcars, equipment, stored products, and changing yard conditions.

Essential Job Functions

• Safely operate a sit-down forklift to transport, stage, stack, restock, load, and unload brick products.
• Load and unload trucks according to established procedures, product requirements, weight distribution, and safety standards.
• Position and stage products in designated storage and loading areas.
• Inspect brick cubes for loose, damaged, missing, or improperly positioned brick; repair, restack, and secure cubes using approved straps, corner protectors, and strapping tools.
• Safely use manual strapping and tensioning tools.
• Verify products, quantities, labels, and load information before moving or shipping products.
• Ensure loads are stable, properly positioned, and within the forklift's rated capacity before lifting or transporting.
• Complete required pre-use forklift inspections and report damage, defects, mechanical problems, and unsafe conditions.
• Maintain safe operating speeds and follow designated traffic patterns, loading procedures, pedestrian rules, and safe work practices.
• Identify and report damaged brick, unstable cubes, packaging issues, incorrect product placement, and other quality concerns.
• Maintain accurate product movement records and assist with inventory counts and verification.
• Keep the loading yard clean and organized by removing broken brick, discarded packaging, and other debris.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, drivers, and coworkers; follow written and verbal instructions.
• Assist with other shipping, loading-yard, and operational duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while operating a forklift and frequently enter and exit equipment.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, squat, reach, twist, turn, and work at or above shoulder height.
• Ability to frequently rotate the head, neck, shoulders, and upper body to maintain visibility when backing and maneuvering equipment.
• Ability to use hands, wrists, arms, legs, and feet to operate controls and handle materials and tools.
• Ability to grip, grasp, push, pull, and perform repetitive movements while repairing and strapping brick cubes.
• Ability to lift, carry, position, and handle materials weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Ability to apply repeated pulling and downward force when using manual strapping tools.
• Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness while operating equipment and working around hazards.
• Ability to work on uneven surfaces and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and sunlight.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment throughout the shift.

Work Environment

• Industrial brick-manufacturing and loading-yard environment, primarily outdoors.
• Exposure to dust, noise, vibration, changing weather, uneven surfaces, broken brick, and packaging materials.
• Work around moving forklifts, trucks, railcars, loading equipment, pedestrians, and other employees.
• Required use of PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, and other equipment as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to safely operate a sit-down forklift and handle brick products in an industrial environment.
• Ability to load, unload, transport, stage, and stack products accurately.
• Ability to inspect equipment, identify unsafe conditions, and recognize damaged or unstable loads.
• Ability to repair and secure brick cubes using approved packaging tools and procedures.
• Ability to maintain awareness of pedestrians, vehicles, railcars, blind spots, and surrounding hazards.
• Ability to read and understand safety procedures, warning signs, product information, load information, and written instructions.
• Basic math and counting skills for product verification and inventory accuracy.
• Ability to follow instructions, communicate effectively, work independently or with a team, and maintain attention to safety and product quality.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous forklift operating experience preferred.
• Manufacturing, warehouse, shipping, distribution, loading-yard, or industrial experience preferred.
• Previous experience loading and unloading trucks or handling palletized products preferred.
• Must successfully complete required forklift training and evaluation before independently operating a forklift and maintain required certification and company authorization.

Schedule

• Regular shift: 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Shift times may vary by location and operational needs.
• Overtime, weekends, or holidays may be required.
• Schedules may change based on business needs, customer requirements, weather, equipment breakdowns, or other operational circumstances.

Safety Requirements

• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and safe work practices.
• Complete required safety training, forklift evaluations, certification, and authorization.
• Perform and document required pre-use forklift inspections.
• Wear the seat belt or operator restraint system as required.
• Maintain visibility in the direction of travel and turn the head and body as necessary when backing or maneuvering.
• Maintain safe operating speeds and remain alert to pedestrians, vehicles, equipment, blind spots, and changing conditions.
• Verify load stability and rated capacity before lifting or transporting products.
• Follow established procedures when entering trailers or other loading areas and when repairing, restacking, or strapping brick cubes.
• Inspect strapping tools and other equipment before use. Do not operate defective equipment or interfere with safety devices.
• Immediately report equipment defects, unsafe conditions, incidents, injuries, property damage, and near misses.
• Wear required PPE and participate in safety meetings, inspections, and training.

Essential Functions and Reasonable Accommodation

Cherokee Brick & Tile Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Employees who require an accommodation should notify Human Resources.

Disclaimer

This job description describes the general nature of the work performed and is not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Duties and responsibilities may change as business needs require.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Cherokee Brick & Tile Company is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

***Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirement: Cherokee Brick & Tile Company & Affiliates is a drug-free workplace. The selected applicant for this position must successfully complete a post-offer drug and/or alcohol test as a condition of employment. Refusal to test or failure to comply with the testing process may result in withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment.***