Loader operator

Stella-Jones is a leading manufacturer of essential infrastructure products focused on serving utilities and railroads, as well as supplying big box home improvement stores across North America. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada and publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Stella-Jones operates a vast network of facilities that employs more than 3,000 employees across the United States and Canada. Built on strong foundations with a coast-to-coast reach, we offer real opportunities for career success and community impact.

Position Summary

Stella-Jones is seeking a reliable and safety-minded Loader Operator to join our team in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. In this role, you will be responsible for shipping and receiving operations, tram and kiln loading/unloading, pole preparation and branding, and general mobile equipment operation throughout the pole yard.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate heavy loaders and mobile yard equipment.
• Load and unload pole trailers, kiln carts, and treating carts.
• Transport utility poles safely and efficiently to designated staging areas across the yard.
• Inspect, prepare, and brand utility poles according to customer and quality specifications.
• Conduct mandatory pre-shift and daily mobile equipment inspections, promptly reporting any mechanical defects.
• Verify load contents, calculate weights, and complete required shift/tally reports.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas around framing and branding stations.
• Strictly adhere to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and internal safety standards at all times.
• Perform other yard and operational duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Competencies

• High school diploma (Grade 12) or equivalent.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience operating heavy mobile equipment (wheel loader experience preferred).
• Valid Forklift certification and/or Chainsaw certification are considered strong assets.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Working knowledge of utility pole handling, grading, or timber operations is an asset.
• Basic mathematical and analytical aptitude to perform load calculations and resolve yard staging scenarios.
• Safety-first mindset with high attention to detail and equipment care.

Physical, Handling & Environmental Demands

• Physical Mobility: Ability to stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, and climb stairs, ladders, and equipment access steps throughout the shift.
• Dexterity & Handling: Ability to reach above shoulder level and demonstrate manual dexterity to handle tools, branding equipment, rigging hardware, and heavy chains.
• Lifting Capacity: Physical capability to lift, push, pull, and carry items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Mental & Analytical: Ability to write clear shift documentation, perform basic load calculations, communicate orally via two-way radio, and analyze yard scenarios to ensure safe movement of materials.
• Work Environment: Comfortable working outdoors in all seasonal climate conditions (rain, snow, heat, cold), driving motorized equipment, and operating in an active yard environment with moving machinery and elevated noise levels.
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As a Stella-Jones employee, you will enjoy access to excellent benefits and incentives, including:

• Extended health and dental coverage
• Life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• Short-Term and Long-Term disability coverage 
• Retirement program (RRSP) with generous Company match
• Company Share Purchase Program with Company contribution match
• Career advancement opportunities

Stella-Jones is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, provincial, or local laws

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Stella-Jones makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

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