Yard Coordinator (Laverton)

A day in the Laverton yard

Ritchie Bros. is seeking a Yard Coordinator for its Laverton branch in Australia. The role is on-site, working in the yard to support vehicle intake, preparation for auction and ongoing yard operations. It suits someone who likes practical, hands-on work and thrives when helping customers and team members in a busy branch environment.

As the Yard Coordinator, you’ll help inspect incoming vehicles and manage the intake process at the assigned location. Your day will involve capturing digital images, giving vehicles a thorough clean to boost auction value, and getting them ready with proper numbering and setup for weekly or biweekly auctions. You’ll also handle keys, license plates, and other items from vehicles, guide visitors, and help move vehicles around the yard using safe driving practices. You may operate a forklift or loader, depending on the facility, and you’ll follow all company policies and safety rules to keep the site safe for customers and employees.

You’ll read and apply safety and maintenance documents, staying alert to hazards around heavy equipment and vehicles. Meeting daily, weekly, and monthly performance targets is part of the job, and there’s an emphasis on teamwork and customer-friendly service. The role may require you to learn forklift operation if you don’t already have that skill, and you’ll interact with customers and yard towers in a supportive way. There’s also a chance to perform light maintenance on vehicles and to take part in activities that involve bending, stooping, standing, and walking for reasonable periods, in varied climates and on different surfaces, indoors and outdoors. A general mechanical knowledge of makes and models is helpful, as is the ability to work as part of a team. A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate vehicles may be required at some facilities, and you’ll apply appropriate safety procedures and PPE to protect assets and people. The role also includes following industry regulations around handling hazardous materials and, where applicable, acting as a role model to coach a team of accounting specialists toward department and company goals without formal people management. Duties can change based on business needs, and flexibility to take on other tasks is valued.

What the ideal Yard Coordinator brings to Laverton

Must-have requirements, you should demonstrate these up front:

• Two to three years of related experience in a similar setting
• Background in the equipment rental or construction sector is preferred
• A basic grasp of mechanical concepts for common vehicle makes and models
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors year-round, including climbing on and off large equipment and trucks
• Hands-on automotive repair capabilities
• Proficiency with a handheld PDA tool
• Willingness to learn how to operate a forklift
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with customers and yard towers
• Capability to perform light maintenance on vehicles
• Physical ability to stoop, bend, stand, and walk for reasonable periods
• General mechanical knowledge of vehicles
• Team player who collaborates well with others
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to operate vehicles (may not be required at every facility)
• Committed to applying proper safety, maintenance, and PPE procedures
• Aptitude for avoiding accidents by recognizing potentially unsafe situations
• Understanding of industry regulations related to handling hazardous materials
• Ability to act as a role model and coach or mentor accounting specialists to support department and company goals (non-people management)
• Willing to adapt to changes in duties as business needs shift

• Nice-to-have qualifications you’d bring if available:
• Direct forklift operating experience
• Experience working in an equipment rental or construction environment beyond the minimum

Ground rules and practical realities

The position is based onsite at the Laverton location in Australia. The role involves engaging with customers and team members in a yard setting, and it may require moving between indoor and outdoor workspaces across different weather conditions. Forklift experience is a plus, and training may be provided where necessary. You’ll be expected to follow safety rules and wear the appropriate protective gear to protect yourself and others in the yard, and you should be prepared to handle basic mechanical tasks and vehicle maintenance as part of daily duties.

Advice for applicants

Lead your resume with the most relevant experience, specifically highlighting 2-3 years in a related role and any hands-on yard or vehicle intake work that aligns with auction preparation and customer service.

Show concrete evidence of the must-have skills: describe situations where you performed vehicle check-ins, conducted light maintenance, managed keys and license plates, or helped stage vehicles for auction, and note any safety training or PPE usage you’ve completed.

Prepare for interviews by outlining how you’ve handled safety policies around heavy equipment, how you’ve stayed vigilant for hazards in outdoor environments, and examples of collaborating with customers and towers to resolve issues on the yard floor.

When questions come up, ask about forklift training options at Laverton, whether forklift operation is required at that site, and how the team collaborates with towers to meet auction timelines. A thoughtful question shows you’re thinking about how you’ll fit into the yard’s workflow and safety culture.