Forklift Operator/ Driver

Position Summary

The Forklift Operator is responsible for safely operating powered industrial trucks to move, store, and stage raw materials, work-in-process, and finished ballistic products within the warehouse and production areas at Point Blank Body Armor, a federal contractor and manufacturer of protective equipment. This role supports accurate inventory control, on-time order fulfillment, and strict adherence to OSHA, company safety policies, and applicable federal contract and export-control requirements.

Safely Operation

• Safely operate sit-down and/or stand-up forklifts and related material handling equipment to move materials between receiving, warehouse storage, production, and shipping areas.
• Load and unload pallets, cartons, and crates from inbound and outbound trucks, ensuring loads are centered, stable, and secured before movement.
• Store and retrieve materials in racking systems according to bin locations, FIFO/lot control, and inventory procedures to support ballistic and tactical product traceability.
• Use RF scanners and/or warehouse management systems to verify, label, scan, and track inventory movements, including receipts, put-away, transfers, and shipments.
• Perform full-case and pallet picking for customer orders, work orders, and internal replenishment; stage picked product in designated lanes for quality review and loading.
• Support regular cycle counts and physical inventories by locating product, counting stock, and reconciling variances with Inventory Control or Warehouse leadership.
• Inspect product, packaging, and labels for visible damage, shortages, or quality concerns; immediately report issues to the supervisor and Quality Assurance.
• Complete pre-shift and post-shift forklift inspections and OSHA-required checklists; remove unsafe equipment from service and report mechanical issues promptly.
• Follow all facility traffic patterns, speed limits, and pedestrian-safety rules; maintain clear aisles and work areas free of debris and trip hazards.
• Properly wrap, band, and secure pallets of ballistic panels, carrier systems, and related components to protect product integrity during storage and shipment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready work area in accordance with company standards, federal contract requirements, and customer expectations.
• Communicate effectively with Shipping/Receiving, Production, Inventory Control, and Quality to coordinate material flow and meet daily shipping and production schedules.
• Comply with all company policies, OSHA regulations, and applicable federal contractor requirements related to safety, security, and handling of controlled materials.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent experience.
• Must be a “U.S. Person” as defined under applicable export control regulations (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee) to support compliance with ITAR and related requirements.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English at a business-competency level in order to safely follow work instructions, complete documentation, and communicate effectively regarding product, inventory, safety, and quality issues.
• Valid forklift operator certification (or ability to obtain certification prior to operating equipment), with demonstrated ability to operate safely in a busy warehouse environment.
• Prior experience operating forklifts in a warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing setting, including loading/unloading trucks and working in racked storage.
• Basic familiarity with RF scanners and/or warehouse management systems for inventory transactions and locating stock.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, bin locations, shipping documents, and basic production or pick lists.
• Commitment to working safely, following all PPE requirements, lockout/tagout (as applicable), and company safety rules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a federal contractor, defense, or ballistic/protective-equipment manufacturing environment.
• Prior exposure to ITAR/EAR or controlled-material handling procedures, or willingness to complete required compliance training.
• Experience supporting cycle counts, physical inventory, or inventory reconciliation activities.
• Familiarity with quality or ISO-style documentation and practices in a manufacturing or warehouse environment.

Key Skills And Competencies

• Safe, accurate operation of powered industrial trucks in congested areas and around pedestrians.
• Attention to detail for inventory accuracy, lot/serial tracking, and documentation.
• Basic math and counting skills for quantities, pallet configurations, and inventory adjustments.
• Teamwork and communication skills to coordinate with supervisors, Production, Shipping/Receiving, and Quality.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with shifting priorities driven by production and government-contract schedules.