Material Handler

Norsk Hydro’s Hydro Extrusions division is a global name in aluminum profiles, with roughly 100 production sites across 40 countries and a team of about 20,000 people. The company combines local know-how with a wide network and strong R&D to deliver everything from standard shapes to advanced development for multiple industries. In North America, Hydro is looking to add a Material Handler to its onsite team in North York, Ontario. The role is full-time and performed on site, a fit for someone who likes practical logistics work, steady shifts, and being a key part of a larger manufacturing network.

If you enjoy hands-on material movement, organizing loads, and keeping inventory and shipping documents in good order, this could be a solid match. The job blends operating and moving equipment with documentation and coordination across teams, all with a priority on safety and efficiency.

The company emphasizes a safe, collaborative workplace and supports its people through structured roles within a global industrial group. This position sits on the North York site, offering a clear path to expand skills in warehouse and shipping operations as part of a larger corporate family.

On the floor: what you’ll do day to day

In this role you’ll handle the movement of materials using powered equipment like forklifts and cranes, following safety rules and site procedures. You’ll load and unload items from trucks and trailers, shuttle materials to production zones, and move gear around the yard and facility to keep operations flowing. If you hold the right licenses, you may also operate shunt tractors, semi-trailers, and articulated trucks to keep freight moving where it’s needed.

You'll load according to pick lists and shipping instructions, making sure loads are sequenced properly for safe handling and efficient unloading. You’ll prepare packing slips and keep shipping documentation accurate, while following customer-specific requirements for packing, loading, and unloading. Part of the routine is performing yard and inventory checks to verify locations and stock status, plus inspecting equipment and reporting any defects or hazards to supervision. Communication matters, getting updates to teammates and other departments as needed, and you’ll work the assigned shifts with minimal oversight, helping to keep operations smooth when a supervisor isn’t present. Keeping a clean, organized workspace is part of the job, and you’ll take on other duties as assigned to support the team’s goals.

What you’ll need and what helps

Must-have qualifications

• Ability to read and write in English and to understand work instructions, pick lists, and shipping documents
• Formal forklift and crane training with the required certifications to operate the equipment
• A valid driver’s license and the necessary qualifications to operate articulated trucks and moving tractors/semi-trailers, as required by law (AZ license)
• High school diploma or GED

Nice-to-have capabilities

• Willingness to learn SAP and other manufacturing software
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of safe material handling procedures, or a readiness to learn them
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team
• Willingness to take on additional plant equipment and support duties in warehouse, shipping, receiving, and production
• Physical ability to perform lifting and other tasks in line with safety rules
• Previous experience in an industrial, warehouse, or material-handling environment is a plus

Pay and benefits you can count on

The starting rate is $23.58 per hour. The position uses 12-hour continental shifts that cover day and night, arranged in a four-week cycle. Week 1 includes 48 hours over four days from midnight to noon, Week 2 is 36 hours across three days from midnight to noon, Week 3 returns to 48 hours over four days from noon to midnight, and Week 4 comprises 36 hours over three days from noon to midnight. On top of base pay, there are shift premiums of $0.75 per hour for afternoon shifts and $1.00 per hour for night shifts.

Hydro offers a benefits package that includes medical, prescription drugs, dental, disability and life insurance, plus flexible spending accounts. The company also provides retirement savings with company match or contributions, education assistance, bonus plan eligibility, and parental leave. The role is onsite in North York, Ontario, and Hydro emphasizes a safe, cooperative workplace.

Education and credentials that help you stand out include the ability to read and write English, understand instructions and shipping documents, forklift and crane training with current authorizations, an AZ license and related qualifications for operating articulated trucks and moving tractors/semi-trailers as required by law, and a high school diploma or GED. The job also values the capacity to perform physical tasks and lifting safely, plus an openness to learn SAP and expand into warehouse, shipping, receiving, and production support. If you need an accommodation to complete the application, you can reach Hydro Recruiting at [email protected].

Hydro in North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications related to the role and are made without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, or any other protected category. The company may use job-related assessments in selected roles, used alongside experience, qualifications and interviews to inform hiring decisions. If accommodations are needed at any stage of the process, the contact above is available to help.

Words of guidance for applicants

Lead your resume with the certifications and licenses that matter here, your forklift and crane credentials, plus your AZ license and any articulated-truck qualifications, along with your high school/GED completion and ability to read English and shipping docs.

Demonstrate you can prove the must-have skills by citing real-world examples: where you safely operated forklifts or cranes, how you verified shipping documents, and any prior experience moving materials in a yard or warehouse. If you’ve used SAP or similar software, mention it and describe how you used it to track inventory or coordinate shipments.

Prepare to talk about safety and process: describe a situation where you followed loading sequences to prevent mishaps, or how you completed yard and inventory checks to locate materials accurately. Expect questions about working 12-hour shifts on a continental schedule and how you handle periods with minimal supervision while keeping tasks organized and on track.

A smart question to ask: how does the site support ongoing training for SAP or new warehouse equipment, and what does the company’s shift-rotation policy look like in practice? You might also ask about how the team collaborates across departments to keep shipments aligned with production needs and customer requirements.