Job Description Help for Job Description. Opens a new window. Position Summary The Plate Yard / Pre-Processor Manager is responsible for the receipt, verification, identification, and organization of all incoming steel plate material at ESA Steel Services LLC. This role owns the material flow from the moment plate arrives on a delivery truck through staging and release to the fit-up and welding teams. The position requires precise measuring, labeling, and scanning of material into the inventory system, and sorting/segregating plate by job number and job sequence so that fitters and welders always have the correct material, in the correct location, at the correct time. This is a hands-on role performed in an outdoor yard and shop environment around cranes, forklifts, and other heavy equipment, and it demands a high level of attention to detail, since errors in plate identification or sequencing can directly delay production and affect job costing accuracy. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Receiving & Verification Receive incoming steel plate shipments from mills, service centers, and suppliers; unload or coordinate unloading safely using overhead cranes, forklifts, or other material handling equipment. Check delivered plate against bills of lading, mill certifications, and purchase orders to confirm grade, thickness, dimensions, heat number, and quantity match what was ordered. Identify and report shortages, damage, incorrect grade/size, or discrepancies to the Purchasing/Operations team immediately, and place a hold on any questionable material. Inspect plate for visible defects, mill scale issues, warping, or damage prior to acceptance into inventory. Measuring, Labeling & Inventory Control Accurately measure plate dimensions and thickness using standard shop measuring tools (tape measure, calipers, thickness gauge) to confirm conformance to specification. Apply physical tags/labels (heat number, grade, thickness, size, PO/job reference) to each plate or plate stack per company traceability procedures. Scan or manually enter each plate into the inventory/ERP system promptly and accurately, maintaining real-time visibility of on-hand plate inventory. Maintain material traceability records (heat numbers/mill certs) in accordance with project and code requirements (e.g., AISC/AWS traceability where applicable). Conduct periodic physical inventory counts/cycle counts of the plate yard and reconcile against system records. Sorting, Segregation & Job Sequencing Sort and segregate plate by job/project number and, within each job, by fabrication/erection sequence per the job's cut list, drawings, or production schedule. Coordinate with Project Managers, Estimators, and Shop Supervisors to understand job priorities and sequence requirements, and adjust yard organization as schedules shift. Maintain a clean, logical, and clearly marked yard layout so that any plate can be quickly located by job number, heat number, or size. Flag and escalate any material shortages or sequencing conflicts that could delay a job before they impact the fit-up/weld schedule. Staging & Delivery to Production Stage and move plate to the correct pre-processing station (burn table, saw, drill, shear) or directly to the fitter/welder work area in the sequence required by production. Operate or direct the operation of overhead cranes, forklifts, and rigging equipment to move plate safely within the yard and shop. Confirm with fit-up and welding leads that staged material matches the job traveler/work order before releasing it to the floor. Communicate proactively with Shop/Production Supervisors on material readiness, upcoming shortages, or delays. Safety, Housekeeping & Equipment Follow all company safety policies and OSHA requirements related to rigging, crane operation, forklift operation, and safe material handling; wear required PPE at all times. Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free yard, including proper stacking/dunnage of plate to prevent tipping or rolling. Perform routine visual inspections and basic upkeep of yard equipment (crane, forklift, scanning devices); report equipment issues promptly. Work safely in outdoor conditions across varying weather (heat, cold, rain) and in proximity to active crane and forklift traffic. Supervisory Responsibility May directly supervise one or more Plate Yard/Pre-Processing Laborers or Material Handlers, including assigning daily work priorities, training on receiving/tagging/scanning procedures, and monitoring performance and safety compliance. Required Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent. 2+ years of experience in a steel service center, fabrication shop, metal building manufacturer, or similar industrial materials-handling environment. Demonstrated ability to accurately read a tape measure, calipers, and thickness gauges, and to read basic shop drawings, cut lists, or bills of material. Experience operating (or willingness to be trained and certified on) overhead cranes and forklifts. Basic computer proficiency, including data entry into an inventory or ERP system and use of barcode/RFID scanning equipment. Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated high level of attention to detail; comfortable managing multiple jobs' material simultaneously without mixing or misplacing plate. Ability to read, understand, and follow job travelers, cut lists, and production schedules. Strong verbal communication skills to coordinate effectively with Purchasing, Project Management, and Production/Welding staff. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience in structural steel fabrication, pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB), or plate/structural steel processing. Familiarity with material traceability requirements (heat number tracking, mill test certificates) and

AISC/AWS

quality expectations. Experience with ERP or inventory management software used in a fabrication or manufacturing setting. Current forklift and/or overhead crane operator certification. Physical Demands & Work Environment Regularly works both outdoors in the plate storage yard and inside the fabrication shop; exposed to heat, cold, humidity, and other seasonal weather conditions. Works in close proximity to operating cranes, forklifts, and other heavy mobile equipment; must consistently follow safety protocols and situational awareness practices. Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb on and around stacked steel plate and equipment. Regularly lifts, carries, or moves materials and tools up to 50 lbs.; heavier plate is moved using cranes, forklifts, or rigging equipment, never by hand. Must be able to wear required PPE for extended periods, including steel-toed boots, hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, and gloves. Exposure to noise, dust, and typical fabrication shop conditions (grinding, cutting, welding operations in adjacent areas).

Success Metrics Inventory accuracy:

plate on hand in the system matches physical yard counts.

On-time material staging:

correct plate delivered to fit-up/welding in the required job sequence with no production delays caused by yard errors.

Traceability compliance:

heat numbers and mill certs correctly logged and retrievable for every plate used on a job.

Safety:

zero preventable incidents involving material handling equipment or plate storage.