Forklift Operator

Forklift Operator

 Location: Moultrie, GA

Job Summary

The Forklift Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient operation and daily maintenance of material handling equipment. This role ensures that production machinery is consistently supplied with materials, finished goods are safely removed, and inventory tracking is accurately maintained. Additionally, this position provides vital support to fellow operators and serves as the primary backup for the Shipping Lead.

Duties and Responsibilities

Material Handling & Production Support

• Safe Operation: Operate and care for forklifts in strict accordance with OSHA regulations and company safety guidelines.
• Supply Chain Support: Locate and deliver the correct stock to designated machines safely and ahead of production schedules.
• Staging & Storage: Promptly remove finished goods from machines and stack inventory in a neat, organized, and safe manner within designated storage areas.
• Workflow Optimization: Adhere to the daily production schedule and proactively recommend adjustments to optimize cost, quality, and delivery goals.

Equipment & Safety Compliance

• Pre-Shift Inspections: Complete and document daily forklift inspection forms before starting a shift or when switching equipment; immediately submit maintenance work orders for required repairs.
• Housekeeping: Comply with all company policies regarding safety, hazard recognition, and excellent facility housekeeping.
• Equipment Utilization: Maximize equipment efficiency by safely operating machinery at its optimal available capacity and speed.

Documentation & Teamwork

• Inventory Tracking: Maintain precise inventory locations using both physical paperwork and computerized tracking systems.
• Reporting: Accurately complete required logs in a timely manner, including production data, machine status, safety metrics, and quality data.
• Team Collaboration: Assist other forklift operators as needed and serve as the designated backup to the Shipping Lead Person.
• Adaptability: Perform additional duties and operational tasks as assigned by management.

Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

• Minimum: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• License: Must possess and maintain a current Lift Truck Operator License (Forklift Certification).
• Preferred: Prior experience as a forklift operator, ideally within the corrugated packaging industry.

Core Competencies

• Technical Knowledge: Working understanding of equipment capabilities, product layouts, production specifications, and strict quality standards.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to read a tape measure with speed and accuracy. Skilled in calculating percentages, measurements, volumes, and rates using basic high school-level math.
• Language & Communication: Ability to read, interpret, and follow instructions on factory master sheets and production orders.
• Reasoning Ability: Strong problem-solving skills; ability to apply common sense to carry out written, oral, or graphic instructions and handle variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands

• Activity: Regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear. Frequent bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and reaching.
• Mobility: Continuous mounting and dismounting of the forklift. Occasional seated operation.
• Vision: Excellent close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus are required for safe operation.

Work Environment

• Conditions: Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid warehouse conditions. Occasionally exposed to high places, fumes, airborne particles, and equipment vibration.
• Noise Level: The typical work environment is loud; appropriate hearing protection and PPE are required.

Pratt is America's 5th largest corrugated packaging company and the world's largest, privately-held 100% recycled paper and packaging company, with more than 10,000 highly-skilled, green-collar employees dedicated to the environment and sustainability.