Forklift Operator

Job Title: Warehouse Worker – Sit-Down Forklift Operator

Job Description

This role focuses on safely loading and unloading semi-trucks and moving palleted products throughout a busy distribution center using sit-down forklifts. You work primarily in a AC environment, supporting shipping and receiving operations, staging pallets, and maintaining accurate inventory through scan gun use. The position is fast-paced, highly safety-focused, and requires strong attention to detail and comfort working in cold temperatures.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload semi-trucks filled with boxes and pallets using sit-down forklifts (hilos) in the shipping and receiving area.
• Move and stage pallets and boxes throughout the distribution center, ensuring products are placed in the correct areas for pickups and deliveries.
• Participate in a daily 20-minute shift meeting at the start of each shift to review scheduled pickups, deliveries, and individual work assignments.
• Enter and work in the freezer area frequently throughout the day, often up to 80 times per shift in short 3–5 minute intervals, while maintaining productivity and safety.
• Operate sit-down forklifts in tight and crowded spaces with a zero-accident mindset, demonstrating precise maneuvering and awareness of surroundings.
• Use scan guns to track inventory, confirm shipments, and maintain accurate records within the distribution center.
• Follow all safety measures at all times, including wearing seat belts, hard hats, safety glasses, and reflective PPE while operating equipment.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area in the shipping, receiving, and staging zones to support efficient operations.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures related to safety, equipment operation, and inventory handling.
• Support team members as needed to ensure trucks are unloaded efficiently, shipments are processed on time, and daily production goals are met.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 1 year of experience operating sit-down forklifts (hilos) in a warehouse or distribution center environment.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience using scan guns for inventory tracking within a distribution center.
• Proven ability to maneuver forklifts safely in tight, crowded spaces while maintaining a zero-accident record.
• Experience with material handling, including stacking pallets and organizing product in shipping and receiving areas.
• Ability to work comfortably and consistently in a cold freezer environment maintained at approximately 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Strong attention to detail when loading, unloading, and scanning inventory to ensure accuracy and prevent errors.
• Ability to follow safety protocols meticulously, including the use of seat belts, hard hats, safety glasses, reflective PPE, and steel-toe boots.
• Capability to work in a fast-paced environment with high truck volumes and constant equipment movement.
• Effective communication skills to participate in shift meetings and coordinate with team members throughout the day.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a distribution center focused on agricultural or food products.
• Familiarity with shipping and receiving processes, including staging, scheduling, and truck turnaround.
• Comfort working in close quarters with multiple forklifts and team members operating simultaneously.
• Ability to adapt to seasonal fluctuations in workload, particularly during busy harvest periods.
• Strong teamwork mindset, supporting colleagues and contributing to a collaborative, safety-first culture.

Why Work Here?

You join a fast-paced, supportive environment where team members look out for one another and work together to handle high volumes efficiently and safely. The operation offers consistent structure through daily shift meetings and clear assignments, creating predictability in your day while still providing variety in tasks. Seasonal peaks bring a strong sense of shared purpose as the team works together to manage increased volume, offering opportunities to build skills and experience in a dynamic setting. The culture emphasizes safety, reliability, and mutual support, making it a place where your attention to detail and commitment to safe work are valued.

Work Environment

You work in a busy distribution center that includes a freezer area maintained at approximately 15 degrees Fahrenheit, where pallets are stacked up to 40 feet high. The shipping and receiving area is active and can become crowded, with a constant buzz of equipment and frequent beeping from forklifts. The facility is fairly clean, and experiences seasonal temperature changes—cold in the winter and warmer in the summer outside the freezer. You operate sit-down forklifts alongside a team of roughly 15–25 drivers per shift during the busy season, handling high truck volumes and unloading up to 30 trucks per day. All employees start on first shift. The environment is fast-paced and closed-quartered, requiring strong situational awareness and adherence to safety protocols. Steel-toe boots and jeans are required attire, and you also wear appropriate winter clothing such as heavy coats to stay comfortable in the cold freezer conditions, along with required PPE including hard hats, safety glasses, and reflective gear.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Constantine, MI.

The pay range for this position is $19.50 - $19.50/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 Constantine,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 1, 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.