Entry Level Forklift Operator - Day Shift | St. Louis, MO
Job Summary Forklift Operator – Electric Sit-Down | Day Shift | St. Louis, MO Pay: $19.00 per hour (Union position) Schedule: Monday – Friday | 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Equipment: Electric Sit-Down Forklift (Hyster primarily) | Up to 5,500 lb capacity
Watco is hiring an experienced Electric Sit-Down Forklift Operator for our St. Louis Gateway Transload Terminal, a 300,000 sq. ft., AIB-certified, rail-served warehouse handling food, pharmaceutical, and industrial products. This location is a part of The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 88 (Union). This full-time, day shift role supports rail and truck transloading in a secure, regulated environment. As a Forklift Operator, this role supports the efficiency of operations at a high-level performance with a strong emphasis on safety, teamwork, and operational excellence. The team members must be dependable, follow company safety protocols, wear required PPE, and be available for shift work, overtime, and off-hour responses.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Operate forklifts 8k-65k and up depending on skillset
- Perform inspections of equipment being utilized prior to use and during use as needed
- Demonstrate performance toward operational excellence
- Communicates with operational stake holders throughout shift
- Wearing all Watco and OSHA mandated personal protective equipment
- Able to work with a team, take direction and follow work rules, as well as take on additional job responsibilities as needed
- Demonstrate knowledge of company safety programs
Qualifications
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately
- Knowledge of weight limits, load distribution, and material storage protocols
- 3 years of experience working with or around forklifts, with demonstrated skill in safe load handling, stacking, and maneuvering in confined spaces preferred
- Basic mechanical skills with knowledge of equipment inspection, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance preferred
- Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS) or handheld scanners preferred
- Maintain regular, dependable attendance
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including day and night shifts, with availability for overtime, weekends, and holidays as required by business needs
- Forklift Operator certification preferred
- Valid Driver License preferred