Material Handler
Job Description
The Material Handler safely moves and organizes materials throughout a busy manufacturing facility, supporting the welding and production departments. This role focuses on operating a heavy-duty forklift and other lifting equipment to load and unload trucks, transfer materials between the shop and yard, and maintain accurate inventory records. You will work both indoors and outdoors, help keep storage areas clean and orderly, and ensure materials are staged correctly to keep production running smoothly.
Responsibilities- Operate a heavy-duty forklift capable of lifting up to 36,000 lbs to move materials safely between the yard, shop, and welding department.
- Operate a forklift, jib crane, and overhead hoist, properly and safely rigging lifts and moving loads according to established procedures.
- Use forklifts indoors and outdoors to load and unload material in all departments, load trucks, maintain job lanes, and transport inventory.
- Unload and receive incoming LTL and flatbed trucks, verifying that materials match packing lists and noting any discrepancies.
- Unload and receive freight from the Waconia facility, pull assembly parts, and stage materials by job for production teams.
- Store raw materials in appropriate areas and ensure materials are labeled and placed correctly for easy access.
- Pull materials for production as needed and complete the appropriate paperwork to relieve inventory and record your time.
- Monitor and organize indoor and outdoor inventory, ensuring racking and equipment piles remain neat, orderly, and consolidated.
- Work directly with drivers to position and maneuver trucks in accordance with safe and efficient freight unloading practices.
- Properly record and maintain information on project documents such as bills of material and parts sales orders.
- Verify the count of received items against packing lists, document any discrepancies, and promptly report them to your supervisor.
- Deliver verified packing lists and related receiving documentation to your supervisor in a timely manner.
- Label all incoming items with the appropriate company part number, when applicable, to support accurate inventory tracking.
- Adhere to safety standards at all times, including consistent use of required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Keep inside material storage areas and the outside yard clean, organized, stocked, and consolidated to support efficient workflow.
- Assist with fabrication and general shop activities as assigned to support overall operations.
- Perform other duties as assigned to meet changing production and shipping needs.
- 1–2 years of experience operating forklifts in a manufacturing, warehouse, or similar environment.
- 1–2 years of experience loading and unloading equipment, materials, or freight.
- Proven ability to safely operate sit-down forklifts for heavy-duty material handling.
- Ability to operate reach trucks, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment as needed.
- Experience with shipping and receiving processes, including loading, unloading, and staging materials.
- Capability to work both indoors and outdoors and dress appropriately for changing weather conditions, including winter.
- Strong attention to detail when verifying counts, labeling materials, and completing paperwork.
- Commitment to safety, including consistent adherence to safety standards and proper use of PPE.
- Ability to read and follow project documents such as bills of material and parts sales orders.
- Organizational skills to maintain clean, orderly, and well-structured storage and yard areas.
- Experience operating jib cranes and overhead hoists in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
- Familiarity with rigging practices and safe movement of large and heavy loads.
- Comfort operating a heavy-duty forklift capable of lifting up to 36,000 lbs.
- Experience working in an open-concept shop environment with multiple departments.
- Ability to collaborate with drivers and production staff to coordinate material flow and truck positioning.
- Flexibility to assist with fabrication and other shop tasks as operational needs change.
You will join a close-knit manufacturing team where your work directly supports production and shipping success. The environment offers hands-on, active work with a variety of equipment, allowing you to build and strengthen your material handling skills. You will work alongside a small group of experienced colleagues in an open shop setting, providing opportunities for collaboration and learning. The role offers stable, steady work in a facility where safety, organization, and teamwork are valued and encouraged.
Work EnvironmentThe role is based in an open-concept manufacturing facility with approximately 15–20 employees working in the shop. You will work both indoors on the shop floor and outdoors in the yard, handling materials in various weather conditions, including colder temperatures in winter, where dressing warmly is important. The position involves frequent use of heavy-duty forklifts (up to 36,000 lbs capacity), reach trucks, pallet jacks, jib cranes, and overhead hoists. The environment is active and industrial, with a focus on safety, organization, and maintaining clean and orderly storage and yard areas. Personal protective equipment is required at all times, and attire should be appropriate for a manufacturing and outdoor yard setting.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Waconia, MN.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40000.00 - $60000.00/yr.
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.
401K PTO 2 weeks of PTO. Growth opportunity Full time. Will do CTH or DP. Short term and long term disability. Dental/Health, vision. HSA
Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Waconia,MN.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.
About AerotekAerotek® 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.
