About the role

Belize Sugar Industries is hiring a Heavy-Duty Operator for its cane yard at Tower Hill, Orange Walk. The operator safely and efficiently runs assigned heavy equipment to support cane handling, loading, stacking, feeding and related yard operations. The role requires strong safety awareness, equipment care and good communication, and the ability to work shifts during the processing season and regular daytime hours during the out-of-crop season, based on operational needs.

Responsibilities

Operate assigned heavy equipment safely and efficiently to support cane receiving, stacking, feeding, transfer, clearing, yard maintenance and related cane yard activities, following instructions and approved procedures
Support the continuous and orderly movement of cane within the cane yard to minimize congestion, delays, contamination risks, equipment conflict and interruptions to the factory cane supply
Conduct pre-start, operational and end-of-shift checks on assigned equipment, including tires or tracks, brakes, steering, lights, horn, mirrors, guards, hydraulic systems, attachments, fluid levels, leaks, fire extinguisher and general condition
Immediately report mechanical defects, unsafe conditions, abnormal noises, warning lights, leaks, damage, overheating, poor performance or other equipment concerns to the supervisor and/or maintenance personnel
Comply fully with safety rules, traffic controls, speed limits, PPE requirements, lockout/tagout controls, permit requirements, radio or hand-signal instructions and safe operating procedures
Maintain safe distances from trucks, pedestrians, buildings, conveyors, cane tables, power lines, drains, stockpiles, unstable surfaces and other equipment in the cane yard
Keep equipment, work areas, access routes, yard surfaces, loading zones and parking areas clean, orderly and free from avoidable obstructions, loose cane buildup, debris and unsafe conditions
Communicate clearly and promptly with the Cane Yard Supervisor, shift personnel, truck drivers, maintenance employees, traffic controllers and factory operations to coordinate activities and prevent unsafe or inefficient movements
Support maintenance teams by making equipment available for inspection, servicing, repair, lubrication, cleaning and readiness checks as instructed
Identify and report opportunities to improve cane yard safety, traffic flow, equipment utilization, fuel efficiency, housekeeping, spillage control, loading practices and communication with factory operations

Requirements

Valid driver's license and/or heavy equipment operator certification, permit or authorization as required by company policy and applicable laws
Minimum of three years' practical experience operating heavy equipment such as cane loaders, front-end loaders, payloaders, tractors, forklifts, grab loaders, bulldozers, excavators or comparable industrial or agricultural equipment
Working knowledge of safe equipment operation, traffic management, blind-spot awareness, load stability, ground conditions, basic equipment inspection, lubrication checks, fuel handling and defect reporting
Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions, safety procedures, standard operating procedures, shift handover requirements and supervisory directions
Demonstrated ability to operate heavy equipment safely, responsibly and efficiently in busy areas with moving vehicles, pedestrians, cane trucks, factory equipment and changing ground conditions
Strong safety and situational awareness, hand-eye coordination, judgment and concentration, and the ability to respond appropriately to hazards, signals, instructions, alarms and abnormal operating conditions
Basic mechanical aptitude: conduct pre-start inspections, identify unusual equipment sounds or conditions, check fluid levels, report faults and protect equipment from misuse or avoidable damage

Preferred qualifications

Secondary school education
Technical training in heavy equipment operation, mechanical maintenance, occupational safety or a related field
Experience in cane yards, agricultural, construction, quarrying, port, factory or other high-traffic heavy equipment environments
Bilingual in English and Spanish
Equivalent combinations of education, training, certification and directly relevant operating experience may be considered