Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Yardman

🎯 Role Definition

A Yardman is a hands-on operations professional responsible for the safe, efficient flow of trailers, containers, rail cars and vehicles through a yard, terminal, or distribution facility. This role focuses on staging, spotting, moving and securing equipment; coordinating with drivers, dispatch and warehouse teams; performing vehicle and yard inspections; and enforcing safety, compliance and facility cleanliness standards. Ideal candidates have mechanical aptitude, strong situational awareness, forklift/yard equipment experience, and a safety-first mindset.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Entry-level warehouse associate or dock worker
Seasonal or part‑time groundskeeper/landscaper
Delivery driver or route helper

Advancement To:

Lead Yardman / Yard Lead
Yard Supervisor / Yard Manager
Terminal Operations Manager
Fleet Maintenance Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Dock Supervisor
Logistics Coordinator
Equipment Operator (forklift, loader, shunt truck)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage daily yard flow by spotting, positioning and moving trailers, containers and chassis to staging locations according to load plans, shipment priorities and dispatch instructions while minimizing congestion and idling time.
Safely hook, unhook and secure trailers and chassis using catch pins, fifth wheel securement devices and trailer supports; verify securement points and communicate any equipment defects to maintenance.
Operate yard tractors, tag trailers, forklifts, industrial loaders, and other powered equipment to reposition freight and equipment—maintaining required operator certifications and following manufacturer and company safety protocols.
Coordinate with drivers (incoming and outgoing), dock personnel and dispatchers to ensure timely set-up and pull of trailers for loading/unloading windows and to expedite late or high-priority shipments.
Conduct pre-shift, post-shift and ad-hoc inspections of yard equipment and vehicles, documenting defects, reporting safety hazards, and initiating work orders for preventive and corrective maintenance.
Perform end-to-end trailer checks to confirm load securement, seal integrity, and cargo condition prior to release; tag or quarantine damaged or non-compliant shipments and notify quality/operations teams.
Manage yard inventory and location control by updating yard management systems, handheld scanners or paper logs with trailer numbers, container IDs, slot assignments and movement timestamps.
Implement traffic control, signage and routing in the yard to maintain safe vehicle separation, pedestrian walkways, crosswalks and staging zones—especially during peak operations or inclement weather.
Load and unload light cargo or palletized freight as needed, assisting dock teams during peak periods to prevent bottlenecks and support throughput targets.
Enforce company safety policies, DOT and OSHA regulations, and site-specific PPE requirements; participate in daily safety briefings, toolbox talks and post-incident root cause assessments.
Execute yard housekeeping: remove debris, secure loose materials, maintain clear aisles, replenish safety cones/barricades and perform seasonal tasks such as snow removal or de-icing to preserve safe operations.
Support shunting and spotting operations for rail-served facilities: couple/uncouple rail cars, position cars on tracks, observe switching protocols and communicate with rail coordinators when required.
Monitor and control gate activity when assigned: verify driver credentials and shipping documents, record check-in/check-out times and liaise with security to prevent unauthorized access.
Assist in documentation and record-keeping: accurately complete manifests, bolt/chain logs, damage reports, and movement logs to support billing, claims and regulatory compliance.
Inspect trailer undercarriages, landing gear, lights and tires as part of routine maintenance checks; assist mechanics with roadside-type repairs or staging for shop service when authorized.
Participate in continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives by suggesting layout changes, process improvements and equipment upgrades to increase yard velocity and reduce detention.
Support emergency response procedures: isolate hazards, assist with evacuation routes, coordinate with emergency services and provide first-line assistance in equipment incidents until professional help arrives.
Communicate proactively with supervisors, dispatch and warehouse leads to report yard bottlenecks, resource shortages, equipment failures and potential safety issues to minimize downtime.
Ensure proper application of load securement hardware and strapping for outbound shipments; verify blocking/bracing and report nonconforming loads to prevent cargo loss or damage in transit.
Train and mentor new yard staff in safe operating practices, yard rules, equipment operation and documentation standards to build a consistent, safety-focused team.
Operate handheld devices, GPS and yard management software to track moves, scan seals and log work; assist IT/operations with troubleshooting device issues and data integrity problems.
Maintain compliance with hazmat handling rules and specialized containment/segregation procedures for hazardous loads when they transit the yard.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc operational tasks such as staging equipment for preventive maintenance, assisting with inventory counts and preparing trailers for return to fleet.
Assist in continuous improvement projects by collecting yard performance data, contributing to root-cause analysis and piloting new layouts or equipment.
Provide backup gate or security coverage during peak times or staffing shortages, including verifying credentials and controlling access.
Coordinate with administrative and billing teams to clarify trailer dwell times, detention charges and movement discrepancies.
Participate in seasonal readiness activities: secure snow/ice removal contracts, prepare winterization kits for equipment and ensure emergency supplies are stocked.
Engage in cross-functional training: support dock operations, light maintenance tasks and emergency response drills to maintain operational resilience.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid certification and demonstrated experience operating yard tractors/tag trucks, terminal tractors and yard jockeys safely and efficiently.
Forklift (counterbalance and/or reach) certification and practical experience moving pallets and loading/unloading as needed.
Strong knowledge of trailer and chassis securement techniques, fifth-wheel coupling, landing gear operations, kingpin/catch pin use and safety chains.
Proficiency with yard management systems (YMS), terminal operating systems (TOS) or equivalent tracking tools and handheld scanning devices.
Skilled at performing routine preventive maintenance checks: pre-trip inspections, brake/lighting checks, tire inspections and reporting mechanical defects.
Understanding of DOT, OSHA and company-specific safety regulations, including vehicle weight limits, load securement and confined-space awareness.
Basic rail industry knowledge for facilities with rail service: spotting rail cars, complying with switching rules and communicating with rail personnel.
Experience with basic maintenance tasks: replacing bulbs, greasing pivot points, fueling equipment and assisting mechanics with minor repairs.
Competence in operating small powered equipment for yard housekeeping (snow blowers, skid steers, sweepers) when qualified.
Familiarity with hazardous materials handling and placarding requirements or the ability to follow site hazmat procedures when handling regulated loads.
Ability to use GPS, mobile apps and electronic logs to capture accurate movement and time-stamp data for trailers/containers.
Basic mechanical aptitude for diagnosing common trailer/equipment issues and determining urgency for shop repair.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and risk assessment skills; able to anticipate hazards and adapt to changing yard conditions to keep people and equipment safe.
Clear, concise communication with drivers, dispatch, warehouse leads and maintenance teams—both radio and face-to-face.
Reliability and punctuality with a focus on shift attendance, overtime flexibility and the ability to consistently meet operational demands.
Problem-solving orientation with practical decision-making under time pressure to reduce bottlenecks and keep throughput on schedule.
Team player with the ability to train, mentor and provide constructive feedback to peers and new hires.
High attention to detail for documentation, seal verification, damage reporting and compliance tasks.
Physical stamina and dexterity to perform extended periods of outdoor work, manual handling and climbing on/off equipment safely.
Adaptability to work in all weather conditions and to respond to changing priorities in a fast-paced logistics environment.
Customer-service mindset when interacting with external drivers, carriers and vendors to represent the company professionally.
Conflict de-escalation and assertiveness to enforce yard rules and safety policies while maintaining cooperative working relationships.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED preferred but not always required; equivalent work experience typically accepted.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificates in heavy equipment operation, logistics, or transportation safety.
OSHA safety training or certification (e.g., 10-hour OSHA).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Heavy Equipment Operation / Diesel Mechanics
Transportation Safety / Occupational Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on experience in yard operations, dock work, or equipment operation.

Preferred: 3+ years in a terminal, yard, distribution center or transport fleet environment with documented experience operating yard tractors, forklifts and using yard management systems. Prior exposure to rail-served operations, hazmat handling or supervisory duties is a strong plus.