Production Associate - Forklift Operator

Position Overview

Join the team at Heartland Automotive, a leading manufacturer of automotive instrument panels and doors, through Staff Management. In this role, you will play a vital part in the daily manufacturing process, ensuring materials flow smoothly and safely across the production floor. Whether you are operating machinery to create high-quality interior and exterior parts or utilizing your forklift skills to manage inventory and load trailers, your work will directly impact the assembly of vehicles used by millions of people daily.

This is a full-time opportunity in Lafayette, Indiana, that offers hands-on experience with modern manufacturing technology and a clear path for steady, reliable work in a team-focused environment.

What Success Looks Like

On a day-to-day basis, you will help keep production on track by performing a mix of material handling and manufacturing support tasks. Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Operating a forklift to safely load and unload product from trailers.
• Transporting raw materials and finished goods to and from production lines and storage areas.
• Performing daily safety and equipment inspections on your forklift before starting work.
• Assisting with inventory control, verifying pallet information, and breaking down pallets as needed.
• Operating state-of-the-art machinery to assist in manufacturing interior and exterior automotive components.
• Using small hand tools to assemble or finish parts and preparing materials for shipping and receiving.

Over time, success in this role means maintaining an excellent safety record, ensuring materials are always where they need to be to prevent production delays, and mastering the operation of our assembly machinery.

What You Bring to the Team

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Prior experience operating forklift machinery (an practical operating evaluation is part of the hiring process).
• The physical ability to stand for the full duration of your shift and work comfortably in an active manufacturing environment.
• Ownership of steel-toed boots (required to work on the facility floor).
• A strong commitment to safety protocols and team communication.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

• Previous experience working in an automotive manufacturing or parts assembly environment.
• Experience using basic hand tools for assembly.
• Familiarity with inventory tracking or shipping and receiving procedures.

Ready to Join Us?

If you are looking for a stable role where your skills are valued and you can work with advanced manufacturing equipment, we encourage you to apply. Submit your application today, and our recruiting team will reach out to discuss the next steps in our hiring process.