Job Title: Material Processing Assistant
Department: Production Team Reports To: Shop Supervisor Employment Type: Full-Time / Hourly
Position Summary:
The Shop Helper supports daily operations in the steel fabrication shop by assisting skilled workers, handling materials, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring a safe and organized work environment. This is an entry-level position ideal for candidates looking to grow in the manufacturing or welding trades.
Key Responsibilities:
General Duties
Cleaning and maintaining the shop involves tasks such as sweeping, removing scrap, emptying trash bins, and organizing tools and materials.
Assisting skilled workers: Helping welders, fabricators, or machine operators with setup, positioning, or material handling.
Material handling: Loading/unloading steel stock, moving parts, or raw materials using carts, dollies, a tractor, a telehandler, or forklifts (on-the-job training available but preference given to experienced operators).
Basic machine support: Helping with feeding materials into saws, shears, plasma cutters, etc., under supervision.
Inventory & Materials
Receiving shipments: Unloading trucks, verifying deliveries, and organizing stock.
Cutting and prepping materials for processing: Using basic hand tools or operating machines like grinders, saws, or sanders.
Prepping material to be painted: surface preparation (sanding and removing rust), power washing.
Labeling and staging parts: Marking components and preparing them for welding, fitting, or assembly.
Safety & Compliance
Wearing proper PPE: Following shop safety rules and wearing gear like gloves, goggles, respiratory protection, steel-toe boots, etc.
Reporting hazards: Notifying supervisors of damaged tools, unsafe practices, or material defects.
Other Responsibilities
Assisting with shipping prep: Banding, palletizing, or wrapping finished products.
Helping with minor repairs or maintenance of tools and equipment (under supervision).
Running errands or performing shop errands as needed. (preference given to applicants with a CDL or Class B license for hauling the 40' trailer with the shop truck)
Optional (based on experience or training):
Forklift operation
Basic welding or torch cutting
Qualifications
High school diploma or GED preferred.
Previous experience in a manufacturing or metal shop environment is a plus.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. regularly and stand for extended periods.
Basic understanding of hand and power tools.
Forklift certification is a plus (on-the-job training available, but preference given to experienced operators).
Work Environment:
Indoor shop environment, exposed to loud noises, heavy machinery, welding operations, and steel materials.
Must be able to work in hot, cold, and dusty conditions depending on shop conditions.
Schedule & Pay:
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Pay: $18 or “Based on experience”