Material Handler

Aurubis metallurgy is our passion. We are a leading global multi-metal company and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide.

We process complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals of the highest purity.

These metals serve as the basis for key megatrends such as digitalization, renewable energies, e-mobility, and urbanization.

Aurubis has about 6,900 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system.

Join our team and promote progress together with us!

The full-time position of MATERIAL HANDLING OPERATOR reports to the Material Handling Supervisor as part of the Logistics Team and is responsible for operating the heavy mobile equipment in a professionally and technically correct way with focus on costs, quality, and efficiency in Aurubis Richmond.

This includes but is not limited to taking care of daily warehouse duties such as loading and unloading trucks or other vehicles, blending material, pulling orders, labelling goods received and inspecting products before shipping.

The successful candidate will have proven demonstration of day-to- day operations in operational logistics (preferably warehouse management) is committed to quality and accuracy in performing assigned tasks, used to work in shifts, and is focused on safety and environmental topics.

The position’s focus is the execution, as well as continuous optimization of workflows within material handling with a focus on recycling raw materials for non-ferrous metallurgy.

This includes working in a fixed shift in operating heavy mobile equipment such as forklifts, wheel loaders, and excavators while maximizing efficiency, balancing costs, and setting quality benchmarks.

This role supports the Logistics Manager in establishing operational excellence in Aurubis Richmond.

Material Handler

Your Tasks

• Professionally operation of heavy mobile equipment such as but not limited to forklifts, wheel loaders, excavators in a safe and orderly manner.
• Execute a limited number of largely recurring, defined activities in the logistics department, such as but not limited to unloading of trucks, storing, and documenting material flows, loading trucks, and maintaining various heavy mobile equipment.
• The operation also includes cleaning and, if necessary, simple maintenance work. The employee usually performs tasks according to clear instructions.
• Responsibility to load, unload, and move materials within trailers, trucks or near plant, yard, or work site, including preparation and shipping of customer orders along with tracking of said orders and other inventory movement within computerized system.
• Responsibility for managing all aspects of the Finished and Intermediate Goods, Shipping Operations, and Rework Operations.
• Responsibility for loading and unloading transport trucks, having to drive in and out of trailers on a consistent basis, multiple times a day.

Transporting goods to covered or open lot piled, storing it in its designated (warehouse) space.

• Responsibility of preparing a homogenous mix of several (intermediate) materials.
• Responsibility to perform loading activities of hoppers and bunkers according to a strict time schedule
• Receive and store incoming items according to established system.
• Maintain a safe and orderly storage arrangement for all items handled.
• Maintain cleanliness in assigned area (e.g., yard and warehouse)
• Perform routine housekeeping duties in all warehouses and work areas in compliance with departmental procedures and GMP requirements.
• Typical additional duties may include but are not limited to checking inventory, executing product counts, weighing, and tagging products, using a bar code scanner, using a shrink wrapper, loading / unloading trucks, light cleaning of the warehouse and data entry.
• Securing separation of different batches to avoid contaminations.
• Registering material flows in corresponding IT-systems.
• Execute stock taking activities in respective areas of responsibility.
• Professionally handling of claim management.
• Complying with company instructions e.g., on health & safety, environmental protection.
• Complying with company rules and regulations.
• Economic behavior about material and time expenditure.
• Provision of work equipment.
• Preparing workstations for e.g., maintenance (tasks).
• Knowing and understanding the processes and procedures in the direct field of activity
• Assuring quality and actively participating in continuous improvement programs.
• Proactive exchange of information with superiors and peers (e.g., on process / condition of aggregates).
• Coordination and communication of material flows and assessments within and across department.
• Must successfully communicate, interact, and interface with international and domestic employees of various levels regarding operational and non-operational topics.

Examples of roles include (but not limited to) : sampling, logistics, laboratory, sample preparation, engineers, production, maintenance, customer services, purchasing.

• Contact with external suppliers or their representatives, internal customers, purchasing and customer service department, to identify, research, analyze and resolve challenges.
• Acts in an industrial environment with high level of compliancy rules (safety, environment, quality).
• Is aware of and follows performance measurement & KPI tracking for operative responsible area. Establishes corrective actions for underperforming metrics to ensure performance standards are met.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) must always be used including hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and safety shoes. Safety shoes with composite toe reinforcement required.
• Working in shift operations.

Staff / Personnel

• Attends regular performance and goal meetings with superiors.
• Induction and instruction of (new) employees, apprentices, trainees etc.
• Ensuring the transfer of knowledge across shifts, departments, and generations.
• Successfully use established standards to work at full potential yet take opportunities to recommend process’ for review which may have more of an impact.
• Builds a vivid and open feedback culture including transparent communication.
• Motivates, inspires, and educates colleagues; encourages individuals to give genuine feedback and to be involved in company objectives.
• Build trust and a positive working relationship with individuals.
• Understands and performs according to Aurubis values.
• Ensure conformance to published policies, programs, systems, or procedures and ensure procedural requirements are understood and followed in respective area of responsibility.
• Identifies and reports to superior any required training or resources essential for the operations section to function.

Implements guidance regarding ethical behavior and anti-fraud activities throughout the division.

Safety

• Attends monthly departmental safety meeting and conducts safety training in team if required.
• Compliance with internal guidelines and derivation of measures regarding occupational safety environmental protection, quality assurance, etc.
• Ensuring safety and order in one's own work environment.
• Ensures all relevant documents and training are current for compliant operations.
• Participates in behavioral safety inspections at other facilities and ensures they can be conducted in own department.
• Reports and communicates on LTI, monthly accidents and accident numbers in areas of responsibility and ensures qualified communication and follow up on accidents.
• Act as a role model to all Aurubis employees; raise awareness and motivate colleagues to high levels of safety behavior.
• Responsible for adhering to, identifying, making recommendations, assisting with correcting any unsafe conditions within the company along with following the documentation process for the Sample Preparation & Laboratory department.
• Actswiftlyonallreported safetyissues,reporting’s,andworkwithEHSbytakingallmeasuresneeded to mitigate any / all environmental, health and / or safety risks.
• Conduct needed EHS audits, risk assessments and self-assessments and report results on a regular basis. Work with EHS team to ensure controls are implemented to address risk and non-compliance.

Train others to audit / assess key areas.

From time to time, assist the Safety department in interacting with OSHA / EPA / EPD regarding formal complaints and inspections.

Environmental Protection

• Supports Manager in central operator responsibility for Logistics facilities.
• Ensures and monitors facilities in assigned area of responsibility can be and are operated in an environmentally sound manner through segregated and appropriate division of duties in the department.
• Maintains active contact with the environmental protection department

Continuous Improvement

• Structure, coordinate, monitor, optimize and document work processes.
• Supports and contributes a regular review of workflows from an efficiency perspective and development and implementation of optimization measures.
• Supports and contributes to active benchmarking of processes and data maintenance.
• Supports the management of projects in Logistics.
• Prepares specifications for projects in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ability to understand, implement and analyze SPC (Statistical Process Control) practices, to add validation to all aspects of the operations on an ongoing basis in addition to providing recommendations on aspects of the department’s strengths, weaknesses and needs.
• Continuous analysis of current logistics processes and procedures, proposals for improvements, implementation and follow through of agreed upon changes.

Budget / Finance

• Supports the management in establishing and executing budgeting planning in Logistics Team area such as but not limited to volumes, materials, cost centers.
• Supports management in creating budget plan and forecasts for Logistics Team in collaboration with local and group SCM if required.
• If required, responsible for establishing a CAPEX budget and coordinating the execution of investment projects.
• If required, responsible for setting up an OPEX budget. Maintain the budget and take necessary actions to achieve set goals.

Strategy

• Responsible for working with, understanding and being able to report on metrics of the assigned areas of responsibility.
• Contribute to set Logistics Team goals in accordance with the Aurubis Richmond strategy.
• Define, monitor, control, and report relevant KPIs.
• Define, install, and lead Logistics projects and initiatives as assigned.

Operations

• Improve processes and policies to obtain the organizational goals. Suggest, formulate, and implement departmental policies and procedures.
• Supporting creation and dissemination of department metrics and report to management.
• Map all risks (safety, process, environment, technical and financial) identified and define corrective actions. Make sure these actions are carried out and have the expected results.
• Monitoring the operational readiness of aggregates and plant components.
• Review and verification of production data acquisition.
• Electronic elaboration and data maintenance such as but not limited to MS Office or SAP.
• Commissioning, as well as optimization of new plants and aggregates.
• Monitoring the operational readiness of aggregates and plant components.
• Act as backup for supervisors when absent.

Your Profile

REQUIRED

• Minimum of 3 years practical experience in related logistics professions with profound experience in operating either forklift, wheel loader or excavator.
• Proven work experience in operating heavy mobile equipment ideally in an international environment.
• Possess driving license for at least one of the following : forklifts, wheel loader, excavator, crane.
• Deep understanding of processes in material handling.
• Knowledge of lean / process improvement methodologies.
• Basic computer skills (business system, email, Microsoft Office Suite).
• Solid knowledge of potentially hazardous materials or practices in the workplace.
• Solid knowledge of environmental protection, occupational safety, and labor law standards.
• If filled with an internal current employee of Aurubis, individual must be willing to relocate to the US for a minimum of three (3) years with a possibility of extension upon approval, if needed.
• Must be conversant in current DOT and OSHA regulations.
• Willing to work in shifts.

PREFERRED

• Possess an understanding of sampling and / or metallurgical production processes and requirements.
• Previous experience creating and presenting to various levels including relevant stakeholders and external partners.
• APICS certification(s), a plus.
• Experience with a start-up of a plant is beneficial.
• Ability to read and interpret prints, drawings, and layouts.

SPECIAL SOFT SKILLS NEEDED

• Has a view for details.
• Committed to safety and defensive driving.
• Ability to portray customer, business, and solution focused leadership.
• Exhibits a strong work ethic willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
• Good communication skills includes listening, speaking, etc. to effectively communicate targets and goals to his / her colleagues.
• Must possess the ability to receive and give constructive feedback.
• The ability to act decisively and solve staff or equipment related problems.
• Possess a mindset that embraces challenge and change.
• Passion for metals and clear willingness for self-development.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Varying periods of time sitting at a desk and working on a computer some may be prolonged periods.
• Must be able to perform the following : walking, standing, climbing, pulling, and or pushing, carrying, grasping, using hand-to-finger movement, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping for most of every day.
• May occasionally be required to reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Ability to walk and / or stand for extended periods of time.
• Good physical condition with the ability to lift to 75 lbs. occasionally.
• Good hand / eye coordination, motor skills, 20 / 20 corrected vision and hearing within the normal range. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• There will be prolonged periods of standing and walking in the plant daily.
• Ability to travel throughout facility as required to conduct safety inspections.
• Ability to respond quickly and efficiently to all safety needs on the floor or in the office areas.
• Must wear all required PPE when in protected areas.

We Offer

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
16 days ago