Job Summary
The General Yard / Shipping Associate helps get material in the door and projects out the door. This is an integral part of the LaX Industries team and an important link between the shop and our customers. The role is designed so the person can grow through demonstrated initiative—especially in the scheduling and coordination of shipping. Performance in these developmental areas gives LaX a practical, defined opportunity to test and observe the individual’s abilities and creates a clear pathway for increased responsibility within the Shipping Department and the company.
Responsibilities
I. Yard Operations & Material Handling
- Assist in loading and unloading trucks in a safe, efficient manner.
- Operate forklifts and other yard equipment safely and efficiently to move, stage, and organize material.
- Maintain an orderly and clean work area at all times, including the office, equipment, staging yard, and bunkers.
- Separate, label, and organize all materials by job number; remove completed material from fabrication or paint areas and stage it in the appropriate yard locations / bunkers.
- Know where material is staged for its next operation whether it is a purchased item, fabricated parts, or sub-assembly waiting for assembly.
II. Receiving Control
- Communicate with truck drivers and peers in a professional manner.
- Verify all material delivered is listed on packing slips; check in all incoming packing slips.
- Inspect all incoming parts and document any damage indicated.
- Have all items received properly—checked in, tagged, and moved to a staging area—before the end of the day.
- Check in small packages, nuts, bolts, and other consumables; create and maintain an organized area and simple check-out system for small stock items.
- Anticipate daily incoming orders so items needing special attention are processed efficiently; keep a log so questions can be answered easily.
- Return all paperwork to the office in a timely manner.
III. Shipping Control
- Assist in preparing, tracking, and organizing packing slips and bills of lading for all outgoing shipments.
- Properly pack or prepare all outgoing shipments to avoid damage in transit.
- Verify all material listed on the paperwork is loaded onto the trailer in a safe, efficient manner without damaging product.
- Check all loads and take pictures of loads being shipped as required.
- Provide the trucker with required paperwork, obtain signatures in the stated areas, and return all paperwork to the office promptly.
- Ensure jobs ship on time and accurately; work efficiently when truck drivers are on site to avoid possible detention charges.
IV. Scheduling & Shipping Coordination (Developmental Focus)
This position is intentionally structured so the associate will be tested on, and can grow through, the setup and coordination of shipping activities. Demonstrated initiative and ownership in this area will be strongly encouraged and recognized. Successful performance provides LaX a clear opportunity to evaluate the individual’s abilities and opens a defined path for increased responsibility.
- Assist in setting up and maintaining a valid shipping schedule that supports production and customer requirements.
- Help establish and track start and ship dates; monitor job readiness for shipping.
- Support the scheduling of trucks for galvanizer and other job deliveries.
- Help ensure packing slips and related documents are prepared and distributed to yard employees in advance of shipping (target: two days prior when possible).
- Communicate with shop supervisors, project managers, and the yard team to keep shipping on schedule and to anticipate needs.
- Participate in production or shipping coordination meetings; take notes on jobs and apply relevant information to the schedule.
- As skills develop, propose and help implement practical improvements to shipping coordination processes and standard practices that keep material flowing smoothly.
V. Inventory Support & Shop Materials
- Help maintain control of consumables, products, paper, and steel so the shop can work without delays due to shortages while avoiding overstocking.
- Sort and organize material as it returns from the galvanizer by bunker and label.
- Assist in setting shops up a day ahead of time with required materials when directed.
- Report low stock items and support the preparation/sending of purchase requests or purchase orders to the project manager when material arrives or is needed.
- Work on understanding and helping implement standard practices that keep shop flow smooth.
VI. Communication, Team Support & Equipment
- Communicate clearly and professionally with drivers, shop personnel, supervisors, project managers, and peers.
- Work with the shop foreman to keep job-specific material coming through the shop in a timely manner so machine efficiency stays high.
- Be available to offer assistance and complete behind-the-scenes production setup as needed across shifts.
- Help ensure equipment is organized and in good working order; support basic readiness tasks so shifts can begin smoothly.
VII. Overall Role & Growth Opportunity
The General Yard / Shipping Associate helps get material in the door and projects out the door. This is an integral part of the LaX Industries team and an important link between the shop and our customers. The role is designed so the person can grow through demonstrated initiative—especially in the scheduling and coordination of shipping. Performance in these developmental areas gives LaX a practical, defined opportunity to test and observe the individual’s abilities and creates a clear pathway for increased responsibility within the Shipping Department and the company.
Qualifications & Expectations
- Ability to work safely and efficiently in a fast-paced manufacturing and yard environment.
- Willingness and capacity to learn shipping coordination, basic scheduling practices, and company systems; training will be provided for the right individual.
- Basic computer skills preferred (MS Excel, Word, or similar programs).
- Reliable, organized, detail-oriented, and able to take ownership of assigned tasks and improve processes.
- Strong communication skills and professional demeanor with internal teams and external drivers/customers.
- Prior experience in manufacturing, yard operations, shipping/receiving, material handling, or inventory is preferred but not required—the right individual will be trained.
Join us to be part of a vibrant team dedicated to excellence in warehouse distribution and shipping logistics. We value energetic individuals who thrive on teamwork, safety adherence, and continuous improvement. This paid position offers a chance to grow your career in a supportive environment committed to operational excellence.
Pay: $18.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
