About us
Biro Strategy is collaborating with regional businesses across Australia to bridge skill gaps and facilitate long-term employment opportunities. We have multiple roles available, each critical to the smooth functioning of growth sectors across regional NSW and VIC. Standard working terms and conditions are based on the industry sector standards, with competitive pay rates.
The opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Forklift Driver to join the team at an established leather processing facility. This is a hands-on materials-handling role in a wet, fast-moving production environment — feeding raw hides into the beamhouse, shifting drums and pallets of processing chemicals, and staging and despatching finished leather. Good housekeeping, accurate stock movement and a strong safety mindset keep the whole plant flowing.
Key responsibilities — Forklift Operator
- Safely operate the forklift to move raw and salted hides, wet-blue stock, palletised goods, drums, bales and finished leather around the site.
- Load and unload delivery trucks accurately and efficiently in line with despatch schedules.
- Transport materials between the raw-hide store, processing areas, chemical store and despatch, ensuring goods are stored in the correct areas and easily located.
- Move and handle processing chemicals safely in line with SDS and dangerous-goods requirements.
- Conduct daily pre-start checks; monitor gauges and instruments, inspect for wear and damage, and carry out minor servicing, repairs and adjustments.
- Stage finished product for despatch and assist with stocktaking and inventory checks.
- Keep work areas, walkways and storage zones tidy, organised and safe in a wet, greasy environment.
- Support the production team with general labour during busy periods.
- Adhere strictly to WHS procedures and contribute to a safe, well-run workplace.
About you
- Certification and Experience: You hold a current SafeWork/WorkSafe LF Forklift Licence and bring solid hands-on experience operating a forklift in a manufacturing, processing or warehouse environment. Experience in leather, meat or agri-processing, FMCG, timber, steel or similar heavy industry is highly regarded.
- Technical Skills: Confident manoeuvring loads safely in tight, wet and busy production areas; a good eye for safe stacking, load integrity and stock accuracy; basic mechanical aptitude for pre-starts and minor upkeep.
- Soft Skills: Excellent communication, time management and multitasking; you work well independently and as part of a small, collaborative team where everyone mucks in.
- Adaptability and Learning: A proactive learner who embraces new tasks and looks for ways to improve safety and efficiency.
- Licenses and Certifications: Valid Australian driver's licence plus current LF Forklift Licence. HR truck licence, dangerous-goods handling or White Card are a plus.
What is offered
- A comprehensive employment engagement plan: a full-time, permanent role with competitive compensation in line with or exceeding industry standards.
- Benefits including annual leave, sick leave, long service leave and superannuation.
- Regular overtime opportunities.
- Flexible work/life balance to suit families.
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
- Supportive team environment in a unique industry setting.
- For the right candidate, visa sponsorships are available.
The opportunity
We are seeking a qualified Water and Wastewater Plant Operator to take ownership of the effluent treatment plant at an established leather processing facility. Tannery effluent is among the more complex industrial waste streams to manage — high in solids, lime, sulphides and chrome — and the operator who runs this plant well keeps the whole site compliant with EPA/trade-waste requirements and keeps production moving. This is a hands-on, responsible role with real ownership of plant performance.
Key responsibilities — Wastewater Treatment Operator
- Operate and maintain the effluent treatment plant — screening, equalisation, pH adjustment, sulphide oxidation, chrome handling/recovery, dissolved air flotation (DAF), sedimentation, biological treatment and sludge dewatering.
- Monitor control panels and adjust valves and gates, manually or remotely, to regulate the flow of process effluent through the plant.
- Observe variations in operating conditions and interpret meter and gauge readings, responding to upsets before they breach limits.
- Prepare and dose treatment chemicals (lime, coagulants, flocculants, polymers, acids) safely in line with SDS requirements.
- Collect samples and perform routine tests — pH, suspended solids, turbidity, chrome and sulphide levels — and accurately record and report results.
- Ensure compliance with EPA licence conditions, trade-waste agreements and environmental regulations, maintaining accurate logs and reporting.
- Skim grease, pump and transfer sludge, and manage dewatering and disposal.
- Lubricate and maintain pumps, valves, blowers and dosing equipment; troubleshoot operational issues and carry out or escalate repairs.
- Apply strict safety procedures including confined-space entry, chemical handling and JSA/SWMS risk assessments.
About you
- Certification and Experience: You hold a relevant qualification in water/wastewater operations, water industry treatment, chemical or environmental operations (or recognised overseas equivalent), and bring hands-on experience operating a treatment or effluent plant. Experience in leather, meat or agri-processing, food manufacturing, chemical or industrial wastewater is highly regarded.
- Technical Skills: Confident operating treatment plant, dosing chemicals, sampling and testing, interpreting results and adjusting the process. Familiar with EPA/trade-waste compliance, SCADA or control panels, pumps, blowers and dosing systems.
- Soft Skills: Excellent communication, time management and multitasking; you work well independently and as part of a small, collaborative team.
- Adaptability and Learning: A proactive learner who embraces new technologies and is always looking for ways to improve plant reliability, efficiency and environmental performance.
- Licenses and Certifications: Valid Australian driver's licence. Confined-space, chemical-handling, forklift or relevant water-industry certifications are a plus.
What is offered
- A comprehensive employment engagement plan: a full-time, permanent role with competitive compensation in line with or exceeding industry standards.
- Benefits including annual leave, sick leave, long service leave and superannuation.
- Overtime opportunities.
- Flexible work/life balance to suit families.
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
- Supportive team environment in a unique industry setting.
- For the right candidate, visa sponsorships are available.
Pay: $68,000.00 – $75,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
