Equipment Operator - Birmingham Wholesale

New Southern Wholesale, 2500 1st Place W, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America Req #2953
Thursday, May 8, 2025

What's In It For You!

  • EVERY employee is bonus eligible after 90 days!!
  • Employee discounts
  • Variety of jobs including Monday-Friday day shifts
  • Need flexible part time hours?  We've got'em!
  • Growth opportunities
  • Help others through our charity partners
  • Save the environment!

 

Why We Will Love You

  • Attention to detail - you've got an eye for it!
  • You are eager to sort through donations searching for treasures
  • You are neat and organized
  • You are a team player ready to work with a diverse group of co-workers
  • You love getting a lot done every day
  • You are at least 18 and ready to join our processing team

What Happens in Processing Anyway?

  • Sort donated items and identify great finds
  • Help identify recyclable items. Even if we can't sell it, we can keep it out of the landfill!
  • Get those great finds sales floor ready
  • Lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Load and unload carts to get merchandise out safely and efficiently
  • Clean up and reset the processing area at the end of each day

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

Our processing team works together to take great care of items provided by our donors and provide excellent treasures for our customers. Whether we are hanging the perfect jeans (thrifting one pair of jeans saves the world 1,800 gallons of water ya know!) or separating out recyclable materials, we combine our passion for customers and community service.

 

 

Why You Will Love Us: Our Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

To Give Back! By... 

  • Positively impacting the environment and the communities we serve
  • providing values that meet our customer's needs and wants
  • reducing millions of pounds of waste each year
  • supporting local charities
  • creating jobs

 


Vision 
To be the Thrift Brand of Choice in the Southeast and online by offering The Best in value, variety & selection, and convenience for our customers and donors.
 
Values

 

  • People First
    • We invest in what matters most to us: You. Your goals are our goals; your success is our success. We care about family and work-life balance. We value what makes you, You!
  • Customers and Donors
    • Our business starts and ends with both the contributions of our donors and the loyalty of our customers. We deliver a 1st class second-hand experience by providing our customers unsurpassed value & selection.
  • Community
    • We enhance communities by supporting charities, providing values and creating jobs. Through sustainable shopping we protect the environment and reduce waste.
  • Continuous Improvement
    • We empower our people to improve the business and promote an entrepreneurial spirit. Continuous improvement isn't just about margins; it's about development, personal growth, teamwork and collaboration. "How can we improve" are the most important words in business.
  • Growth
    • Growth is our commitment. We invest in the growth of our people, our donations, and our sales. Our growth supports our mission: To Give Back.

Position Title: Forklift Operator (Sit-down LP or Electric)

Reports To: Processing Supervisor

Department: Warehouse

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

 

Position Purpose and Objectives
We are looking for a reliable and safety-conscious Forklift Operator to join our team. This role is critical in supporting efficient warehouse operations by safely loading and unloading trailers, organizing inbound materials, and preparing outbound shipments. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, team-focused, and committed to maintaining high standards in safety, quality, and productivity.
Roles and Responsibilities

  • Perform and document daily forklift inspections at the start of each shift.

  • Inspect trailers before loading/unloading to ensure cleanliness and damage-free conditions.

  • Safely operate a sit-down LP or electric forklift (using forks or bale clamp) to load/unload trailers and export containers.

  • Unload inbound shipments and correctly stack/store products in designated areas.

  • Transport materials to appropriate workstations on time to support continuous workflow.

  • Maintain organized and secure stacks of bales and Gaylords in assigned areas.

  • Read and follow loading patterns to optimize space usage and meet weight requirements.

  • Collaborate with team members to ensure smooth transitions between workstations.

  • Participate in team meetings and ongoing training to uphold safety and quality standards.

  • Assist in other tasks or workstations as needed, including machinery operation to produce clothing bales.

  • Complete end-of-day housekeeping duties to maintain a clean and safe work environment.

  • Adhere to all company safety guidelines and operating procedures.

  • Obtain and maintain valid forklift certification as required.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Must be 18 years or older

  • Minimum of 2 years’ experience operating a sit-down forklift (bale clamp experience preferred)

  • Proficient in safe forklift operation, including loading/unloading of various materials

  • Ability to read and understand shipping and loading documentation

  • Dependable with a strong work ethic and commitment to safety

  • High attention to detail and ability to identify quality issues quickly

  • Efficient in meeting production and shipping deadlines

  • Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset

  • Experience handling various materials, including large bales, small bales, and palletized items

  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment requiring physical activity for extended periods of time.

  • On-the-job training provided

  • Must pass a background check, motor vehicle report, and drug screening

Competencies  
Never- 0%, Occasionally- 1-33%, Frequently- 34-66%, Continuously- 67-100% 
 
Physical Demands:

  • Frequently - Carrying up to 50 lbs., pushing and pulling up to 25 lbs., lifting up to 50 lbs., climbing up to 14-foot height, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, handling and smelling.

  • Frequently - Walking on tile/concrete, bending, feeling, and reaching waist/overhead level.

  • Continuously - Standing on tile/concrete, talking, seeing, and hearing.

Other:

  • Mostly regular and weekend hours, occasionally working evenings and holiday hours as needed.

  • Working environment includes inside of building with semi- controlled temperatures and outside conditions with varying weather and temperatures.

 

Other duties as assigned: Please note that this job description may not cover every duty or responsibility that might arise in the course of employment. Employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned, which may not be explicitly stated in this document. This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The duties and responsibilities outlined here are intended to provide an overview of the primary functions of the role, but they may change as the needs of the organization evolve.
 
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Other details

  • Pay Type Hourly
  • Min Hiring Rate $18.00
Apply Now
Location on Google Maps
  • New Southern Wholesale, 2500 1st Place W, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America