Heavy Equipment Operator

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 7,000 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system. Join our team and promote progress together with us!

The Heavy Equipment Operator plays a key role in supporting efficient, safe, and high-quality operations at Aurubis Richmond. This position operates heavy mobile equipment such as forklifts, wheel loaders, and excavators, to manage the movement, blending, loading, and unloading of materials. Responsibilities include performing daily warehouse duties, labeling and inspecting goods, and ensuring accuracy and care in all material handling activities. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in operational logistics or warehouse management, demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, quality, and environmental standards, and is comfortable working in a fixed-shift environment. This role focuses on both execution and the continuous improvement of material handling processes, supporting recycling operations for non-ferrous raw materials while optimizing cost, quality, and efficiency.

Heavy Equipment Operator

Your Tasks

Safely operate heavy mobile equipment (e.g., forklifts, wheel loaders, excavators) to load, unload, move, and store materials.

Perform recurring logistics activities including truck loading/unloading, storage, material documentation, and equipment upkeep.

Maintain clean, organized, and compliant warehouse and yard areas.

Conduct product handling tasks such as weighing, tagging, scanning, wrapping, and data entry in SAP or related systems.

Ensure accurate inventory management through cycle counts, stocktaking, and material flow registration.

Oversee Finished and Intermediate Goods, Shipping, and Rework Operations.

Ensure safe, efficient handling, storage, and segregation of materials to prevent contamination.

Coordinate material movement between departments and external partners to support production schedules and customer orders.

Promote a strong safety culture by modeling and enforcing compliance with EHS standards.

Conduct or participate in safety meetings, inspections, and audits; report and address unsafe acts or conditions.

Ensure all personnel use required PPE and follow environmental protection procedures.

Support EHS audits, investigations, and corrective actions to maintain regulatory compliance.

Lead and develop team members through coaching, feedback, and regular performance discussions.

Support onboarding and training of new employees, ensuring transfer of knowledge across shifts.

Build a culture of trust, open communication, and continuous improvement aligned with company values

Ensure adequate staffing and promote adherence to site policies and performance goals.

Monitor and improve logistics and warehouse processes for safety, quality, and efficiency.

Define and track KPIs; identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions.

Support Lean, Six Sigma, and SPC initiatives to optimize operations.

Contribute to logistics projects, workflow reviews, and new equipment commissioning.

Maintain accurate operational data and reports in MS Office and SAP systems.

Collaborate with internal teams (maintenance, production, customer service, purchasing, EHS) and external partners.

Assist with audits, service orders, and vendor coordination as needed.

Perform additional duties as assigned to support organizational goals.

Your Profile

High School Diploma or GED

Minimum 3 years in logistics or material handling, with experience operating forklifts, wheel loaders, or excavators.

Valid driver’s license for at least one heavy equipment type (forklift, wheel loader, excavator, crane).

Strong understanding of material handling processes and workplace safety, including DOT and OSHA regulations.

Knowledge of lean/process improvement methodologies.

Basic computer skills (business systems, email, Microsoft Office).

Awareness of hazardous materials and environmental protection standards.

Willingness to work shifts.

Preferred

Familiarity with sampling or metallurgical production processes.

Experience presenting to stakeholders and external partners.

APICS certification or plant start-up experience.

Ability to read and interpret prints, drawings, and layouts.

Proficiency in a second language, ideally German.

Special Skills

Detail-oriented with a commitment to safety and defensive operation.

Strong work ethic with solution-focused leadership.

Effective communication, coaching, and feedback skills.

Decisive problem-solving and adaptability to change.

Passion for metals and continuous self-development.

Physical Requirements

Must be willing and physically able to walk/work in, observe and spend time in a smelter environment.

Must be willing and physically able to work in intense heat situations.

Able to sit, stand, and walk for varying periods of time in the plant.

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.

May occasionally be required to reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Good physical condition with the ability to lift to 50 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.

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.

Willing and physically able to travel domestically and/or internationally, if requested.

We Offer

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance