Fork Lift Operator

North Shore Steel & Affiliates are trusted, industry-leading metals service centers with more than 65 years of experience supporting customers across the Gulf Coast and nationwide. With locations in Houston and Beaumont, we provide a full range of structural steel products and value-added processing services, cutting, machining, forming, rolling, and fabrication, helping customers across construction, energy, industrial, and OEM sectors move faster and build with confidence. Our legacy is rooted in reliability, craftsmanship, and long-term relationships.

At North Shore Steel, our Core Values guide how we work and lead: Be Safe Always, Provide Great Service, Do the Right Thing, Take the Initiative, and Maximize Your Potential. If these values resonate with you and you’re looking for a place where you can contribute, grow, and be part of a team that supports one another, we invite you to join our team.

Forklift Operator – Steel Distribution

Schedule: Monday–Friday | 6:00 AM–4:30 PM

Position Summary

The Forklift Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient movement, staging, loading, and organization of steel material throughout the Steel Distribution operation. This position operates heavy-capacity forklifts and works around overhead cranes and rigging equipment to handle large, heavy, and irregularly shaped steel products.

This role requires more than traditional warehouse forklift experience. Successful operators must understand load weight and capacity, material identification, load balance, and the unique safety considerations involved in moving structural steel and other heavy steel products.

Forklift Operators report directly to the Distribution Supervisor and move material and product as directed to support safe and efficient operations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform and document required daily forklift inspections before operating equipment.
• Immediately report equipment deficiencies, unusual noises, operating difficulties, or unsafe conditions.
• Identify material for movement or production and verify applicable material tags, heat numbers, quantities, and other identifying information.
• Determine or calculate material weight and select equipment with the appropriate rated capacity.
• Safely pick up, secure, transport, stage, and position large or irregularly shaped steel products.
• Maintain proper load balance and control when transporting long, heavy, or oversized material.
• Maintain constant awareness of pedestrians, coworkers, equipment, material, and other hazards within the operating area.
• Communicate with coworkers before moving material and coordinate safe material movement involving forklifts, overhead cranes, and other equipment.
• Follow established procedures for the safe use of overhead cranes, rigging, lifting accessories, and material-handling equipment.
• Assist with stock checks, inventory verification, and physical material counts as directed.
• Maintain safe and organized material storage and staging areas.
• Follow all company safety policies, operating procedures, and equipment requirements.
• Identify and report potential safety hazards or operational deficiencies to management.
• Attend required safety meetings, training, and equipment certifications.
• Assist with training and development of other employees when requested.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support Steel Distribution operations.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of forklift or heavy material-handling experience in steel distribution, structural steel, metals, pipe, manufacturing, or a comparable heavy industrial environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle large, long, heavy, and irregularly shaped material.
• Knowledge of forklift capacities and ability to select appropriate equipment based on material weight and dimensions.
• Knowledge of overhead crane operation, rigging practices, lifting accessories, and equipment capacities preferred.
• Ability to calculate or determine material weights and understand equipment load limits.
• Ability to identify and verify material using tags, heat numbers, and other identifying information.
• Strong spatial awareness and ability to safely maneuver material in active industrial environments.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Strong verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate material movements with coworkers.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and procedures.
• Reliable attendance and ability to consistently work the required schedule.

Schedule: Monday–Friday | 6:00 AM–4:30 PM

Overtime may be required based on production and operational needs.

The Experience We're Looking For

The strongest candidates will have experience moving steel or similarly large and heavy material, rather than experience limited to palletized warehouse products.

Experience in a steel service center, structural steel operation, pipe yard, metals distribution facility, fabrication facility, lumber operation, precast operation, or other heavy-material environment may translate well to this position.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs independently on a routine basis and handle materials safely as part of daily job duties.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and maintain safe body positioning while performing tasks and moving through the work area, including walking on concrete floors and uneven surfaces.
• Frequent squatting, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting, requiring full-body mobility, balance, and upper- and lower-body strength to perform work safely.
• Manual agility to operate tools safely and effectively, with regular use of arms, shoulders, and back for lifting, reaching, and positioning tasks.
• Ability to work safely in a warehouse environment with exposure to noise, dust, moving equipment, and varying temperatures.
• Maintain adequate visual and auditory acuity to safely perform assigned tasks, including but not limited to: identifying potential hazards, reading and/or recording measurements, inspecting materials, and responding promptly to verbal instructions, alarms or hand signals in the work environment

Pre-Employment Requirements:

All candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must complete the company’s pre-employment screening process. This includes:

• Criminal background check: reviewed in accordance with job duties, the nature and gravity of any convictions, and the time elapsed since the offense or sentence completion.
• Pre-hire drug screening: candidates must pass a drug screen to be eligible for hire.
• Physical assessment: required for all Production and Distribution positions, conducted by a company-designated physician at no cost to the candidate.

Participation in each step of the pre-employment process is required. Candidates who choose not to participate or who do not meet the screening criteria will not be eligible for employment.

Benefits:

At North Shore Steel, we invest in the well-being of our team. Full-time employees receive a full benefits package that includes multiple Major Medical plan options, Dental, Vision, Voluntary Life, Short-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, and HSA options for qualifying plans.

We also provide Long-Term Disability, Basic Life, and AD&D coverage at no cost to you. You’ll also enjoy our competitive holiday schedule, PTO program, and a Safe Harbor 401(k) with company contributions to support your long-term financial goals.

We are an equal opportunity employer and maintain a safe, secure, and drug-free workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.