A Yard Associate is a professional who plays a vital role in various industries, including construction, logistics, and manufacturing. Their primary responsibility is to oversee the organization and management of materials and equipment within a yard or storage facility. In this blog post, we will describe the main responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Yard Associates.

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Main Responsibilities of a Yard Associate

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Yard Associate:

Adhere to

Adhere to company policies and procedures at all times.

Advise

Advise Retail Store Manager or Asst. Retail Store Manager of low stock items.

Assist with

• Assist customers and vendors with inquiries and requests.

• Assist customers by filling orders and loading trucks.

• Assist customers in handling large or heavy items.

• Assist in inventory counts.

• Assist in the assembly and disassembly of equipment as needed.

• Assist in yard inventory audits and reconciliations.

Attach

Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.

Carry

Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.

Check

• Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.

• Check products for defects and accuracy.

• Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.

• Check work orders to make sure appropriate equipment is staged for loading.

Clean

Clean driving record and a valid state motor vehicle operator's license.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with team members to meet yard operation goals.

• Collaborate with the procurement team to order necessary supplies.

Collect

Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.

Communicate with

• Communicate with managers to identify equipment in need of maintenance.

• Communicate with suppliers and transporters for timely deliveries.

Complete

Complete paperwork accurately and in a timely manner.

Conduct

Conduct regular inspections of equipment for safety and functionality.

Connect

Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.

Coordinate with

Coordinate with the sales team for customer orders and requirements.

Cut

Cut stock to size required, using stationary power saw.

Direct

Direct industry knowledge in fencing systems and production with emphasis on fencing materials.

Document

Document new damages in inbound equipment.

Ensure

• Ensure appropriate safety measures are followed.

• Ensure delivery is secured and ready to go for the next morning.

• Ensure proper labeling and tagging of items for easy identification.

• Ensure quality and accuracy related to product inventory and customer order fulfillment.

• Ensure safe work habits for all staff through supervision and training.

• Ensure that the warehouse and yard are clean and organized according to inventory procedures.

• Ensure the day to day warehouse and yard tasks are completed as assigned.

Follow

• Follow all CVOR and MTO requirements including maintaining Driver Log Book.

• Follow established safety procedures when performing tasks and / or working with equipment.

• Follow Standards & Procedures and work to ensure assets are being protected.

Give

Give directions to workers at the location on packing goods and moving them onto trailers.

Guide

Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging.

Handle

• Handle hazardous materials following safety guidelines.

• Handle incoming and outgoing shipments by checking them physically.

• Handle material in a safe manner to avoid personal injury, damage to property and damage to product.

Help

Help maintain a safe and orderly environment of the facilities.

Identify

Identify and report opportunities for process improvements.

Implement

• Implement pest control measures to prevent infestations.

• Implement safety protocols and guidelines for all yard activities.

Inform

Inform supervisor of any problems with equipment or other safety concerns.

Inspect

• Inspect and document the condition of incoming and outgoing items.

• Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.

• Inspect machinery to determine the need for repairs.

• Inspect machinery to determine the need for repairs and perform regular maintenance.

• Inspect returned product and / or equipment for damage.

Keep

Keep the yard and storage areas clean and well-maintained.

Load

• Load and unload flat-bed and box trucks.

• Load and unload materials and products from trucks and containers.

• Load material onto flatbed truck.

• Load product to outbound vehicles.

• Load, unload, and prepare delivery vehicle.

• Load, unload, prepare, inspect and operate delivery vehicle.

Maintain

• Maintain a maintenance checklist of equipment status.

• Maintain a safe and organized working environment.

• Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.

• Maintain inventory records and track stock levels.

• Maintain logs of working hours following applicable state and federal regulations.

• Maintain yard and lumber materials.

Make

Make sure that tools and equipment are cleaned and maintained properly at the end of each shift.

Monitor

Monitor and report any damages or defects in materials or equipment.

Operate

• Operate Class B truck and other large vehicles to transport cargo over various distances.

• Operate forklifts and other heavy machinery for material handling.

• Operate hand and power tools for minor repairs and maintenance.

• Operate vehicle to transport material to private homes and construction sites.

Organize

Organize and arrange materials and equipment in the yard.

Oversee

Oversee the merchandising standards of the yard.

Pack

Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.

Participate in

Participate in training programs for continuous skill development.

Perform

• Perform labeling, sorting, wrapping, packing of materials.

• Perform other related duties as necessary and as directed by supervisor.

• Perform regular stock checks to prevent inventory discrepancies.

Pick

Pick up and disposes of stickers, strapping or any other garbage littering the yard area.

Prepare

• Prepare materials and equipment for outbound shipments.

• Prepare reports on yard activities and performance for management review.

• Prepare transfers and loads / unloads them from transfer truck.

• Prepare vehicle for delivery.

Prioritize

Prioritize urgent tasks and manage time efficiently.

Process

Process special orders for non-stock items.

Provide

• Provide excellent customer service.

• Provide exceptional Customer Service while delivering materials to customers.

Pull

• Pull and prepare materials for customers' orders and shipping.

• Pull orders from shelves, and then place and secure onto pallet.

• Pull, pack and ship finished goods.

Put away

Put stock away as directed by supervisor.

Read

• Read tape measure and calculate simple mathematics.

• Read work orders and determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.

Receive

• Receive and inspect material, load and unload trucks.

• Receive finished goods, inspect for damage, organize and accurately record inventory.

• Receive incoming merchandise.

• Receive incoming shipments and verify their accuracy.

Record

• Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.

• Record these actions on a "cut sheet” to reconcile stock records.

Report

• Report any shortages, damaged goods, and backorders to your supervisor.

• Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.

Resolve

Resolve customer complaints.

Review

• Review invoicing with detailed accuracy and minimal errors.

• Review shipping documentation to confirm merchandise is as indicated, count and sign documents.

Secure

Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.

Sort

Sort materials before loading and unloading.

Stack

Stack lumber neatly and safely, and ensure stacks are kept at even levels.

Stand

Stand continuously for long periods of time.

Support

Support yard security measures to prevent theft and unauthorized access.

Sweep

Sweep and clear all areas of debris, etc..

Take

• Take all necessary safety precautions when handling freight, tools, and equipment.

• Take pictures of all equipment as it enters and leaves yard.

• Take telephone orders for merchandise.

Train

Train new and existing associates.

Transport

Transport product to storage areas using proper equipment and efficiently stack and store product.

Unload

• Unload materials and merchandise from incoming vehicles and stack them to assigned places.

• Unload product from incoming truck.

Verify

• Verify outbound equipment is clean.

• Verify unit and serial numbers on equipment against paperwork.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Yard Associate:

1. Forklift operation and certification.

2. Knowledge of material handling equipment and techniques.

3. Inventory management and control.

4. Proficiency in using hand and power tools.

5. Familiarity with shipping and receiving procedures.

6. Basic understanding of construction materials and equipment.

7. Ability to read and interpret product codes and specifications.

8. Basic computer skills for inventory tracking and record-keeping.

9. Knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines.

10. Experience with loading and unloading trucks and containers.

11. Familiarity with hazardous materials handling protocols.

12. Understanding of yard layout and organization principles.

13. Ability to conduct equipment inspections and basic maintenance.

14. Proficiency in manual labor and physical stamina.

15. Knowledge of pest control measures and prevention techniques.

16. Experience with assembling and disassembling equipment.

17. Basic mathematical skills for measurements and calculations.

18. Familiarity with proper lifting and carrying techniques.

19. Knowledge of proper waste disposal procedures.

20. Understanding of traffic control and yard safety protocols.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Yard Associate:

1. Attention to detail and accuracy.

2. Strong organizational and time management abilities.

3. Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

4. Teamwork and collaboration.

5. Problem-solving and decision-making skills.

6. Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.

7. Positive attitude and willingness to learn.

8. Customer service orientation.

9. Ability to work independently and take initiative.

10. Commitment to safety and following guidelines.

Conclusion

A Yard Associate is responsible for the efficient organization and management of materials and equipment in various industries. They require a combination of technical skills, such as forklift operation and inventory management, as well as soft skills, like communication and problem-solving. With the right set of skills, Yard Associates contribute to the smooth functioning of yard operations and play a significant role in the success of their respective industries.