Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

The Scale House Operator is the control point for every pound of recyclable material — paper, plastic, and metals — that enter or leave the facility. You weigh inbound and outbound loads on certified truck scales, issue accurate scale tickets, and build the shipping paperwork that gets domestic and export loads to the customer — on time, at the right weight, and fully documented.

You are often the first-person suppliers, drivers, and customers meet. Accuracy here drives inventory, settlements, invoicing, and margin, so precision and judgment matter as much as speed.

Key responsibilities

Scale operations and ticketing

Weigh every inbound and outbound vehicle (gross and tare) and issue accurate scale tickets in the scale software.

Verify load details on each ticket: customer or supplier, hauler, truck/trailer number, commodity and grade, PO or contract number, and destination.

Apply deductions for moisture, contamination, or non-conforming material as directed by the Manager.

Capture required supplier information on purchases (trailer/container number, vehicle number, photos of material).

Reconcile tickets daily against receiving, inventory, and settlement/payment records; correct and document any discrepancies.

Domestic shipments (truck)

Check-in outbound trucks against open sales orders and release numbers.

Weigh loaded units and confirm net weight meets the order and stays within legal road limits.

Prepare and verify bills of lading, packing lists, and mill, processor, or customer-specific paperwork.

Confirm material grade and quantity match the sales contract before releasing the load; flag shortages or overages to Service Manager.

Process shipping documents and weights.

Export shipments (ocean shipping containers)

Track bookings: steamship line, booking number, vessel/voyage, port cut-off, and container release; coordinate empty pickups and loaded returns with drayage carriers.

Record container and seal numbers, communicate with facility staff after inspection of empty containers for damage and cleanliness before loading.

Weigh each loaded container and determine its Verified Gross Mass (VGM) under the SOLAS rule; submit VGM to the carrier or forwarder before cut-off.

Keep loads within container payload limits and overweight road thresholds; manage tare, chassis, and tri-axle requirements with the dray carrier.

Take and file load photos (empty, half, full, doors closed, seal) for buyer, inspection, and claim purposes.

Prepare packing lists and container load sheets and supply weights and details to the export documentation team for the bill of lading, Electronic Export Information (EEI/AES) filing, and certificates (e.g., pre-shipment inspection, fumigation, or country-specific import permits and licenses for recovered paper, plastics, or metals). Send loading photos to the appropriate contacts.

Watch port cut-offs, free time, and demurrage/detention clocks; escalate delays before they become charges.

Customer Service and Communication

Greet drivers, suppliers, and customers; direct traffic to unloading or loading areas.

Answer phones and email about hours, pricing questions (routing to Service Manager or General Manager), ticket copies, and load status.

Coordinate in real time with yard operators, loaders, traders, logistics, and accounting.

Administration and Records

Enter and maintain transaction data accurately; produce daily scale, inbound/outbound tonnage, and inventory reports.

File scale tickets, shipping documents, and compliance records so they can be found for audits, claims, and regulators.

Support invoicing and supplier settlements by confirming weights, grades, and deductions.

Safety, Compliance, and Housekeeping

Follow all safety policies; monitor vehicle traffic and stop unsafe loads (leaking, unsecured, or overloaded).

Ensure the scale is tested and certified per state weights-and-measures requirements; run daily zero checks and report drift or damage.

Keep the scale deck, scale house, and office clean, organized, and free of debris that affects accuracy.

Report incidents, near misses, and equipment problems promptly.

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or GED.

1+ year in a scale house, shipping/receiving, logistics, dispatch, or office role with heavy data entry.

Confident with computers: scale or ERP software, Excel, email, and scanning/filing.

Strong math skills: weights, conversions (lbs, short tons, gross tons), and net/tare calculations.

High attention to detail and the discipline to double-check every ticket and document.

Clear, professional communication with drivers, customers, and coworkers, including under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in recycling — paper/fiber, plastics, or metals.

Familiarity with export documentation: bookings, VGM, bills of lading, packing lists, and AES/EEI.

Knowledge of DOT weight limits

Experience with recycling software such as CieTrade.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work Environment- Indoor scale house office

Stand, walk, climb into trailers or containers for inspection when needed

Work around heavy trucks, forklifts, loaders, balers, and material handlers; exposure to noise, dust, and debris.

Wear required PPE when in facility: hi-vis vest, safety-toe boots, and safety glasses. Hearing protection and dust masks are not required but can be provided when in the facility

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