Yard Lead

At Schaefer Plastics, we manufacture industry-leading solutions and drive responsible practices toward a sustainable future. As a family-owned company since 1937, we are deeply committed to delivering exceptional customer care through high-quality, innovative waste and packaging solutions. Our customers and their satisfaction are at the heart of our business, and we strive to understand their needs and exceed expectations. We produce durable waste and recycling carts and innovative reusable packaging systems designed to help reduce environmental impact. Our collaborative, fast-paced culture provides opportunities for employees to grow, contribute, and build meaningful careers.

About the role

Schaefer Plastics is seeking a dependable and organized Yard Lead to oversee the daily activities of our outdoor yard and material staging areas. This is a hands-on role responsible for maintaining safe and efficient material flow, organizing inventory, coordinating staging needs, and supporting production and shipping operations. The Yard Lead will work closely with Production, Warehouse, and Logistics teams to ensure materials are available where and when they are needed. The ideal candidate is safety-focused, comfortable working outdoors, experienced with material handling equipment, and able to take ownership of keeping the yard organized and operating efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily yard activities and ensure materials are stored safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Coordinate the movement and staging of materials to support production, warehouse, and shipping needs.
• Receive and verify incoming and outgoing materials, including quantities, condition, and proper placement.
• Maintain an organized staging area to ensure materials can be located and accessed quickly.
• Work closely with Production, Warehouse, and Logistics teams to prioritize material requirements.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and hazard-free yard, including walkways, driveways, and storage areas.
• Provide day-to-day direction and support to yard and forklift personnel, as applicable.
• Perform routine inventory counts and assist with researching and resolving discrepancies.
• Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment as needed.
• Assist with loading and unloading trucks and preparing materials for shipment.
• Communicate effectively with drivers, vendors, and internal departments to keep yard operations running smoothly.
• Identify opportunities to improve material flow, yard organization, space utilization, and overall efficiency.
• Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with company safety policies and applicable regulations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 2+ years of experience in warehouse, logistics, material handling, or yard operations.
• Previous lead or leadership experience preferred.
• Forklift certification preferred; ability to obtain certification required.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Basic computer skills; experience using inventory or ERP systems is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Full-time position primarily working in an outdoor yard environment.
• Regular exposure to varying weather conditions and temperatures.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and material handling.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Must be comfortable operating material handling equipment and working around truck and forklift traffic.
• Occasional overtime and weekend work may be required based on production and business needs.