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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.
• Other duties as assigned

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As a Federal Contractor, Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. abides by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.  is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.  hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.  will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government commercial space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), applicants for employment at Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.  must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the U.S. (i.e. current green card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1157-1158.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

We are committed to providing employees who have disabilities with reasonable accommodations except where an accommodation would cause us undue hardship. Applicants wishing to view a copy of Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.  Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at .