Forklift Driver

Job Title: Forklift Driver

Job Description

This role is based in a modern distribution center where you spend most of your day operating a sit-down forklift to load and unload trucks and move product throughout the warehouse. You support efficient shipping, receiving, and storage operations while maintaining a strong focus on safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Operate a sit-down forklift for approximately 90% of the workday to load and unload trucks in a busy distribution center.
• Move, stage, and organize pallets and sealed drums within the warehouse to support daily shipping and receiving activities.
• Perform quality control checks on orders to ensure accuracy of items, quantities, and documentation before shipment.
• Receive incoming product, verify documentation, and put inventory away in the appropriate warehouse locations.
• Consolidate pallets to optimize warehouse space, improve organization, and support efficient material flow.
• Print and apply shipping labels using UPS, FedEx, or comparable shipping software to prepare outbound shipments.
• Follow established safety procedures when operating forklifts and handling sealed chemical drums.
• Work collaboratively with warehouse and shipping teams to meet daily productivity and service goals.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work area, including warehouse aisles, staging zones, and loading docks.

Essential Skills

• 1–2 years of experience working in a manufacturing or warehouse environment.
• 2–5 years of experience operating a sit-down forklift, with either electric or gas equipment.
• Proficiency using UPS, FedEx, or similar shipping software to print and manage shipping labels.
• Experience with loading and unloading trucks in a distribution or warehouse setting.
• Strong attention to detail for performing quality control on orders and verifying shipments.
• Ability to safely transport sealed drums and pallets throughout the facility.
• Reliable work habits and the ability to work full shifts on a forklift for most of the day.
• Basic understanding of warehouse processes, including shipping, receiving, and inventory put-away.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in shipping and warehouse operations in a distribution center environment.
• Comfort working around sealed chemical products without direct hands-on chemical handling.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new equipment and warehouse systems.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with team members and supervisors.
• Commitment to following safety guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Why Work Here?

You join a stable, family-owned organization that values long-term employment and treats employees with respect. The facility is modern, with brand-new equipment and a clean, air-conditioned environment that supports comfort and productivity. You benefit from a supportive team culture, consistent hours, and the opportunity to build your skills in a well-organized distribution operation.

Work Environment

This role is based in a distribution center located in North Chicago near Route 41. The facility opened in 2020 and features brand-new equipment and an air-conditioned environment that helps maintain comfortable working conditions. You primarily operate a sit-down forklift and work around sealed chemical drums, without direct hands-on chemical handling. Standard schedules include a first shift (Monday–Friday, 6:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) and a second shift (Monday–Thursday, 2:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Friday, 11:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.), supporting a structured and predictable workweek in a warehouse and shipping setting.

This is a Permanent position based out of North Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $21.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in North Chicago,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.