Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Yard Person

🎯 Role Definition

The Yard Person plays a critical operational role responsible for the safe, efficient handling, staging, and movement of materials and vehicles in the facility yard. This position combines hands‑on equipment operation (forklift, skid steer, pallet jack), load securement, basic maintenance, and site housekeeping to support shipping, receiving, warehousing, and field operations. The ideal Yard Person demonstrates an unwavering commitment to safety, clear communication with drivers and warehouse teams, and the physical stamina to perform repetitive heavy tasks outdoors in all seasons.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Packer with experience in receiving and staging.
Groundskeeper or General Laborer with heavy equipment exposure.
Forklift Operator or Dockworker familiar with loading/unloading procedures.

Advancement To:

Yard Supervisor / Lead Yard Attendant
Logistics Coordinator / Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
Operations or Facilities Manager

Lateral Moves:

Inventory Control Clerk
Truck Shunter / Trucking Dispatcher

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely operate yard equipment including forklifts (counterbalance and reach), skid steers, pallet jacks, and tow tractors to load, unload, move, and stage raw materials, finished goods, and containers according to work orders and staging plans.
Inspect incoming and outgoing shipments at the yard perimeter, verify bill of lading and shipment documentation, note discrepancies, and coordinate with shipping/receiving and logistics teams to resolve issues.
Secure loads for transport using straps, chains, binders, and blocking techniques, and conduct post‑loading inspections to ensure compliance with DOT and company load securement standards.
Marshal and position trucks and trailers in the yard, providing clear directions to drivers, coupling/uncoupling trailers when required, and coordinating trailer swaps to maintain dock fluidity.
Stage pallets, skids, and materials in designated yard zones according to FIFO/LIFO instructions, pallet labels, and inventory tags to support rapid retrieval and minimize handling.
Perform routine pre‑shift and pre‑use safety checks on yard equipment (fluid levels, brakes, tires, lights), log defects, and take out‑of‑service equipment until maintenance clearance is provided.
Maintain accurate physical counts and location records during yard transfers and cycle counts, update warehouse management or yard management systems (YMS), and escalate inventory discrepancies to supervision.
Execute heavy lifting and repetitive manual tasks — loading/unloading, tarping, sweeping, and stacking — while following ergonomics, proper lifting techniques, and PPE requirements.
Coordinate with the dock team, warehouse associates, and drivers to prioritize outgoing shipments, expedite critical loads, and ensure on‑time departures.
Operate yard radios / handheld devices to receive dispatch instructions, report status updates, and confirm completed tasks in real time.
Conduct perimeter checks and remove debris, snow, ice, and hazards from driving lanes, loading zones, and pedestrian pathways to maintain a safe work environment year‑round.
Apply hazardous materials handling protocols when staging or moving regulated substances, including proper labeling, segregation, and spill containment procedures.
Assist with trailer inspections, basic trailer maintenance (lighting, brake checks, tire condition), and coordination with maintenance techs for repairs or scheduled preventative service.
Implement and enforce site traffic control plans, signage, and speed limits; direct vehicle flow during peak hours, special moves, or emergency situations to reduce accidents and congestion.
Load and unload specialized equipment and odd‑sized or overweight items using slings, winches, and rigging gear under supervisor guidance, ensuring adherence to safe rigging practices.
Report and document all safety incidents, near misses, and equipment faults immediately to supervision and contribute to root cause investigations and corrective action plans.
Follow lockout/tagout, confined space, and other site‑specific safety procedures when required to perform yard or equipment service tasks.
Participate in daily pre‑shift briefings, safety talks, and continuous improvement meetings to identify bottlenecks, propose yard layout changes, and contribute to process optimization.
Train new yard staff on proper equipment operation, load securement, yard layout, and company safety policies, helping to standardize best practices across shifts.
Support seasonal and project‑based yard reconfigurations (inventory moves, yard expansion, emergency response staging) by executing heavy manual and equipment tasks according to project plans.
Maintain professional, customer‑focused interactions with external drivers, vendors, and contractors, verifying documentation, providing loading instructions, and escalating disputes as needed.
Record fuel, oil, and other consumable usage for yard equipment, assist with inventory replenishment, and report abnormal consumption patterns to supervision.

Secondary Functions

Assist warehouse teams with cross‑docking, pallet returns, shrink reduction initiatives, and special handling requests outside primary yard duties when workload requires.
Maintain accurate equipment logbooks and help schedule preventative maintenance with mechanics to maximize equipment uptime.
Help prepare shipping paperwork, apply shipment labels, and scan items into the warehouse/YMS for seamless integration between outdoor yard activity and internal inventory systems.
Participate in safety audits, support OSHA compliance activities, and implement action items from safety inspections or third‑party audits.
Provide input to yard layout adjustments, racking changes, and traffic flow improvements to increase operational throughput and reduce handling distances.
Support ad‑hoc loading/unloading requests for emergency shipments or priority customers on short notice, coordinating with cross‑functional teams to meet deadlines.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified forklift operator (counterbalance, narrow aisle, reach) with safe operation demonstrated in busy yard environments.
Proficient operating skid steers, tow tractors, pallet jacks, and other small heavy equipment used for outdoor material handling.
Knowledge of DOT load securement standards, trailer coupling/uncoupling procedures, and basic trailer inspection techniques.
Experience with yard management systems (YMS), warehouse management systems (WMS), or inventory scanning devices (RF scanners).
Ability to read and interpret bills of lading, packing lists, shipping manifests, and basic shipment documentation.
Skilled in basic rigging and slinging for odd‑sized loads, including the safe use of straps, chains, binders, and winches.
Competent in basic preventative maintenance checks on equipment (fluids, brakes, lights, tires) and reporting defects accurately.
Familiarity with hazardous materials staging, segregation, and spill response procedures where applicable.
Strong knowledge of workplace safety regulations (OSHA) and ability to apply PPE, lockout/tagout, and confined space basics when required.
Comfortable performing physically demanding tasks: lifting, carrying, climbing, and working outdoors in varied weather conditions for extended periods.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and attention to detail when staging loads, directing traffic, and performing inspections.
Clear verbal communication and radio etiquette to coordinate with drivers, dispatch, and warehouse teammates.
Dependable punctuality and attendance; ability to function reliably in rostered shifts and variable schedules.
Good teamwork and collaboration skills; willing to assist co‑workers and support peak workload periods.
Problem‑solving mindset to triage inventory discrepancies, equipment issues, and logistical bottlenecks on the ground.
Time management and prioritization to handle competing loading and staging requests efficiently.
Adaptability to changing yard layouts, seasonal work conditions, and emergency operational needs.
Customer service orientation when interacting with external drivers, suppliers, and contractors.
Safety leadership and the ability to influence peers to adhere to safe work practices.
Initiative to identify incremental improvements in yard flow, housekeeping, and equipment utilization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate in heavy equipment operation, material handling, or logistics-related training.
Valid forklift certification and any relevant state endorsements.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Heavy Equipment Operation / Diesel Mechanics
Facilities Management
Occupational Safety / OSHA coursework

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1 to 5 years of hands‑on yard operations, material handling, or related outdoor logistics roles.

Preferred:

2+ years of experience operating forklifts and yard equipment in industrial, construction, or manufacturing yard settings.
Experience with yard management systems (YMS) and familiarity with DOT/OSHA requirements.
Previous supervisory or lead responsibilities are a plus (for progression to Yard Supervisor).