This job was last updated on July 29, 2026 2:21 PM.

Material Handler

Location: Bessemer, Alabama **Schedule: **Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM Summer Schedule (June & July): 6:00 AM–2:30 PM Pay: $17 - $20hr Job Type: Full-Time

Position Overview We are seeking a dependable and safety-minded Material Handler to join a growing structural steel fabrication operation in Bessemer, Alabama. This hands-on position plays a key role in keeping materials moving efficiently throughout the fabrication process—from receiving raw steel to staging and shipping finished structures.

The ideal candidate has experience handling long, heavy materials and is comfortable operating forklifts, cranes, and other material-handling equipment. This person will help maintain an organized yard and staging system while ensuring materials and finished components are properly identified, positioned, and moved through the shop.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely unload, receive, transport, and stage long, heavy structural steel using forklifts, Combilift, and overhead/jib cranes.
• Move materials through the fabrication process, keeping work centers supplied and ensuring jobs are accurately organized and staged.
• Load finished structures for outside processing and receive galvanized structures back into the facility.
• Verify counts, part marks, job numbers, load tickets, and other shop paperwork to prevent materials from being mixed between jobs.
• Safely rig loads using chains, slings, shackles, and spreader bars.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free yard and staging area.
• Perform daily equipment inspections and follow all company safety policies and OSHA standards.

Skills Required

• Ability to safely operate forklifts and material-handling equipment.
• Knowledge of safe rigging and lifting practices.
• Ability to read part marks, job numbers, load tickets, and basic shop paperwork.
• Ability to safely handle long and heavy materials.
• Ability to operate or learn to operate overhead bridge and jib cranes.

Experience Required

• Experience handling and moving long, heavy materials in a shop, yard, warehouse, steel, lumber, or similar industrial environment.
• Previous forklift or material-handling equipment experience.
• Structural steel, fabrication, or industrial experience is preferred.
• Combilift or side-loader experience is a strong plus.
• Crane, rigging, forklift, or signaling certifications are preferred but not required.

Qualities Required

• Dependable and reliable.
• Safety-minded and detail-oriented.
• Strong work ethic.
• Organized and able to maintain a clean work area.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced industrial environment.
• Takes ownership of responsibilities and follows safety procedures.

Equipment Used

• Combilift multi-directional forklift
• Standard forklifts
• Overhead bridge cranes
• Jib cranes
• Chains, slings, shackles, and spreader bars
• Other steel and material-handling equipment

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to safely handle long and heavy steel materials.
• Must be comfortable working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to work on your feet for extended periods.

This position is performed in a structural steel fabrication shop and outdoor yard environment. The role involves working around heavy steel, cranes, forklifts, and other material-handling equipment. The successful candidate must be committed to maintaining a safe, organized, and efficient work environment.