Forklift Operator

Job Description

This role focuses on safely loading structural steel and fabricated assemblies onto flatbed trucks while supporting production, inventory, and general shop operations. The Loader / Material Handler operates large-capacity forklifts and other material handling equipment, verifies shipment accuracy, and assists machine shop and utility duties when shipping activity is light. The position is ideal for someone dependable, safety-focused, and comfortable working in a busy fabrication and manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate large-capacity forklifts and other material handling equipment to load and unload structural steel, fabricated components, and finished products.
• Load flatbed trucks in accordance with shipping schedules, load securement requirements, and customer specifications.
• Verify material quantities, piece marks, and overall shipment accuracy before loading trucks.
• Coordinate daily activities with production, project management, and shipping personnel to support on-time deliveries.
• Move raw materials, work-in-process items, and finished goods throughout the facility and outdoor storage yard.
• Assist machine operators, welders, fitters, and fabrication teams with material handling and general support as workload requires.
• Organize and maintain inventory locations, ensuring materials are properly stored in the shop and yard.
• Perform routine inspections of forklifts and other material handling equipment, and report any issues promptly.
• Keep loading areas, aisles, storage racks, and workspaces clean, organized, and free of hazards.
• Assist with inventory counts, material tracking, and yard organization to support accurate stock levels.
• Follow all company safety policies, OSHA guidelines, and established procedures at all times.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by offering suggestions and contributing positively to team goals.
• Work overtime as needed after the regular shift to meet customer and production demands.
• Participate in machine shop and utility duties when not actively loading trucks, including general support for production operations.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and vendors as needed to support shipping and material coordination.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience in a manufacturing setting coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to safely operate forklifts and other material handling equipment for loading and unloading trucks.
• Experience with material handling, including moving, staging, and storing raw materials and finished products.
• Ability to load and unload flatbed trucks while meeting securement and customer requirements.
• Strong communication and organization skills to coordinate activities across production, shipping, and vendors.
• Comfort working in a production welding environment and supporting fabrication teams.
• Ability to follow safety policies and OSHA guidelines consistently.
• Willingness to work overtime after the regular shift when required to meet production demands.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using a variety of material handling tools such as pallet jacks, front-end loaders, and Bobcat-type equipment.
• Familiarity with manufacturing operations and shop workflows.
• Experience supporting machine operators, welders, fitters, and fabrication teams in a structural fabrication environment.
• Ability to assist with inventory counts, material tracking, and yard organization.
• Comfort working in an internal management system and speaking with vendors by phone.
• Personal welding hood and steel-toed boots with metatarsal covers available for use in the shop.
• Attention to detail when verifying piece marks, quantities, and shipment documentation.
• Reliability in showing up on time, communicating clearly, and working effectively within a small team.

Why Work Here?

You will join a small, close-knit first-shift team where collaboration, reliability, and clear communication are valued. The environment encourages learning on the job, and when you show up consistently and engage with the team, you receive support and practical training to grow your skills. The shop maintains a steady schedule around 40 hours per week, with overtime only as needed, helping you balance work and life while still having opportunities to contribute to important fabrication and shipping projects.

Work Environment

Typical hours are 1st shift from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with overtime occurring after the regular shift when required; most weeks stay around 40 hours. You will spend time in an internal management system and on the phone with vendors, as well as on the shop floor building loads for trucks and communicating with fabricators. The environment involves working around welding, fabrication equipment, forklifts, and other material handling tools, both indoors and in the yard. Dress expectations include long pants, a sleeved shirt, and steel-toed boots, and you should have your own welding hood and steel-toed boots with metatarsal covers for work in the weld and fabrication areas.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA.

The pay range for this position is $19.40 - $21.70/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 Cedar Rapids,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 3, 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.