Excavator Operator - Scrap Metal Recycling

About us

Thurlow Metal Recycling is a Tasmanian owned and operated scrap metal recycling business with yards in Bridgewater and Launceston. We buy, process and export ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Most operator jobs put you in one machine, on one task, for eight hours. This one doesn't.

At TMR you'll run an excavator with grab, feed and cycle our car baler turning end-of-life vehicles into export bales, jump on the forklift, and get on the tools with the oxy set when something needs sizing down. No two loads through the gate are the same, and nothing that comes in leaves in the shape it arrived.

You'll be trusted to run your own patch. There's no supervisor standing over your shoulder telling you which way to swing - you'll know what needs processing, what needs loading, and you'll get on with it. If you do the job well, it gets noticed here, because we're small enough that everyone knows exactly who's carrying their end.

Home every night. Day shift, Monday to Friday. No FIFO, no interstate, no chasing a project when it wraps up. Just steady work at a Tasmanian yard that's been here a long time and isn't going anywhere.

The role

We're looking for an experienced Excavator Operator to join our Bridgewater yard. This is a hands-on role in a working scrap yard - you'll spend most of your time in the machine, but you'll also be on the ground processing material.

Day to day you'll be:

• Operating an excavator fitted with grab and magnet attachments to sort and load scrap metal

• Loading trucks, bins and containers

• Operating the car baler to process end-of-life vehicles and light steel into export-ready bales

• Oxy/plasma cutting to size down metals and machinery for processing

• Operating a forklift to move materials and load product around the yard

• Carrying out daily pre-start checks, greasing and basic operator maintenance

• Keeping your work area clean, safe and compliant with our EPA and WHS obligations

What you'll need

• Demonstrated experience operating a excavator, ideally with grab attachments

• Current forklift licence (LF)

• Confidence operating heavy fixed plant, or a genuine willingness to be trained

• A strong safety focus and the ability to work around moving plant and heavy vehicles

• Reliability - turning up on time, every day, matters to us

• Current driver's licence and own transport to Bridgewater

Highly regarded

• Experience in scrap metal, demolition, waste or resource recovery

• Experience operating a car baler, logger or similar heavy processing plant

• Competency and experience in oxy/plasma gas cutting

• MR or higher licence

• Statement of attainment in excavator operation (RIIMPO320F) or a documented VOC

What we offer

• Permanent full-time position, Monday to Friday, 7:30am-4pm

• Overtime available

• Above-award rates

• PPE supplied

• A small, straight-talking team where your work is noticed

• Ongoing training and ticketing supported

Important information

This is a safety-critical role. Successful applicants will be required to complete a pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol screening.

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.