Industrial Truck Operator Jobs for OPT Students
Industrial Truck Operator jobs on OPT are available across warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing. Most roles are STEM-adjacent through supply chain or industrial engineering programs, which may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers typically require forklift certification and prioritize candidates already authorized to work in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition ID: 13809
Location:
Prosperity, SC, US, 29127
Department: Manufacturing & Operations
Travel: No Travel Required
At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.
With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.
A World of Difference. Made Possible.
Graphic Packaging International, Prosperity Extrusion Facility is currently seeking Powered Industrial Truck Operators for our Prosperity, SC facility located in Newberry County.
PIT Operators will support the extrusion facility while operating various types of Hyster mechanical equipment which includes forklift and clamp trucks, yard dog, a railcar mover, and other various types of powered vehicle equipment.
Loading and unloading the production line with rolls of basestock, loading finished goods and unloading raw material from trailers and railcars, and moving railcars are some of the functions of the warehouse operator.
POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCK EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED
A stable work history is a must, with a minimum of 2 years of powered industrial truck experience with equipment such as sit down forklifts, clamp trucks and trailer jockey required.
Shipping and receiving is open weekly from 11pm Sunday through 11pm Friday. We are hiring for 2nd and 3rd shift, with training on 1st shift. Candidate(s) must be able to work 1st shift for training and then 2nd or 3rd shift (we do not rotate shifts). There is the opportunity for additional overtime, which would depend upon business demands.
Key attributes for the position:
- Team player
- Ability to work alone in most situations
- Housekeeping
- 5S oriented
- Troubleshooting
- PC experience
- Strong Safety Behavior
- Action oriented
- Self-motivated/self-starter
- Punctuality and attendance are a must!
Physical attributes for the position:
- Standing, walking, lifting (up to 50 lbs.), carrying (up to 50 lbs.), pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, visual acuity (Near and Far)
- Grasping and gripping
- Possess a strong work ethic
- Must be able to work additional hours (overtime)
- Reading computer screen or electronic devices
- Read a tape measure
Required Skills
- Be at least 18 years old
- Mechanical/Technical aptitude
- Excellent Computer skills
- Ability to communicate well verbally
- You will be required to wear steel toes shoes, hair and/or beard nets, safety glasses and earplugs at a minimum.
A background check and drug screen are required for hiring.
Starting pay is $20.37 per hour with a $1.75 per hour shift differential for 2nd shift and $1.50 for 3rd shift and potential wage progression up to $26.78.
GPI’s Benefit Program
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) w/employer matching
- Health & Welfare Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Various Voluntary benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Employee Discount Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off + 11 paid company holidays each year
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email accommodations@graphicpkg.com.
Nearest Major Market: Columbia
Requisition ID: 13809
Location:
Prosperity, SC, US, 29127
Department: Manufacturing & Operations
Travel: No Travel Required
At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.
With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.
A World of Difference. Made Possible.
Graphic Packaging International, Prosperity Extrusion Facility is currently seeking Powered Industrial Truck Operators for our Prosperity, SC facility located in Newberry County.
PIT Operators will support the extrusion facility while operating various types of Hyster mechanical equipment which includes forklift and clamp trucks, yard dog, a railcar mover, and other various types of powered vehicle equipment.
Loading and unloading the production line with rolls of basestock, loading finished goods and unloading raw material from trailers and railcars, and moving railcars are some of the functions of the warehouse operator.
POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCK EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED
A stable work history is a must, with a minimum of 2 years of powered industrial truck experience with equipment such as sit down forklifts, clamp trucks and trailer jockey required.
Shipping and receiving is open weekly from 11pm Sunday through 11pm Friday. We are hiring for 2nd and 3rd shift, with training on 1st shift. Candidate(s) must be able to work 1st shift for training and then 2nd or 3rd shift (we do not rotate shifts). There is the opportunity for additional overtime, which would depend upon business demands.
Key attributes for the position:
- Team player
- Ability to work alone in most situations
- Housekeeping
- 5S oriented
- Troubleshooting
- PC experience
- Strong Safety Behavior
- Action oriented
- Self-motivated/self-starter
- Punctuality and attendance are a must!
Physical attributes for the position:
- Standing, walking, lifting (up to 50 lbs.), carrying (up to 50 lbs.), pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, visual acuity (Near and Far)
- Grasping and gripping
- Possess a strong work ethic
- Must be able to work additional hours (overtime)
- Reading computer screen or electronic devices
- Read a tape measure
Required Skills
- Be at least 18 years old
- Mechanical/Technical aptitude
- Excellent Computer skills
- Ability to communicate well verbally
- You will be required to wear steel toes shoes, hair and/or beard nets, safety glasses and earplugs at a minimum.
A background check and drug screen are required for hiring.
Starting pay is $20.37 per hour with a $1.75 per hour shift differential for 2nd shift and $1.50 for 3rd shift and potential wage progression up to $26.78.
GPI’s Benefit Program
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) w/employer matching
- Health & Welfare Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Various Voluntary benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Employee Discount Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off + 11 paid company holidays each year
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email accommodations@graphicpkg.com.
Nearest Major Market: Columbia
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Industrial Truck Operator
Confirm your OPT authorization matches the role
Industrial Truck Operator positions must be directly related to your degree field. Supply chain, logistics, or industrial engineering graduates have the clearest connection. Document how the role applies your academic training before accepting any offer.
Get your forklift certification before applying
Most employers require OSHA-compliant forklift certification before your start date. Completing it before applying removes a common hiring barrier and signals you're ready to work immediately, which matters when employers are evaluating OPT timelines.
Target employers in large logistics and manufacturing networks
Companies operating large distribution centers or production facilities hire Industrial Truck Operators at scale. These employers have HR infrastructure familiar with work authorization, making OPT employment authorization documents less of an obstacle during onboarding.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Employers unfamiliar with OPT often need time to review your Employment Authorization Document. Starting your search 60 to 90 days before your OPT begins gives hiring managers enough runway to complete onboarding without authorization gaps.
Prepare a clear one-page explanation of your OPT status
Many warehouse and logistics employers have limited experience with F-1 OPT. A brief, plain-language summary of your work authorization period, EAD card details, and any STEM extension eligibility helps HR process your paperwork faster and with fewer delays.
Prioritize roles with an I-983 training plan if STEM-eligible
If your degree qualifies for STEM OPT, confirm your employer can sign and oversee the required I-983 training plan. Not all warehouse employers are set up for this, so asking early saves you from accepting a role that cannot support the extension.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as Industrial Truck Operators?
Yes, provided the role relates to your degree field. Graduates in supply chain management, industrial engineering, or logistics have the most direct connection. Your EAD card authorizes full-time employment in any position tied to your major, so you must be able to articulate how operating industrial trucks fits your academic program.
Do Industrial Truck Operator jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
They can, but only if your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and the role connects to that field. Industrial engineering, logistics systems, and supply chain degrees often qualify. The employer must also be E-Verify enrolled and willing to complete the I-983 training plan, which not all warehouse employers are prepared to do.
Where can I find Industrial Truck Operator jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so the listings are filtered for work-authorization-friendly employers. Searching there saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that an employer won't work with OPT candidates. Browse Industrial Truck Operator roles on Migrate Mate to find employers already familiar with EAD documentation.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for an H-1B?
If your OPT expires and no other work authorization is in place, you must stop working immediately. Industrial Truck Operator roles are not typically H-1B eligible because the position may not meet the specialty occupation standard. You should discuss long-term visa options with your employer and a licensed immigration attorney well before your OPT end date.
Do I need to report an Industrial Truck Operator job to my DSO during OPT?
Yes. You must report any new employer, change in employment, or gap in employment to your Designated School Official within 10 days. This includes the employer name, address, and job title. Failing to update your SEVIS record can jeopardize your OPT status, even if your EAD is still valid and you are actively working.
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