Crane Operator

Material Handler (Overhead Crane / Forklift Operator)

Starting Pay Rate: $22.00 $25.00 / hour (Based on experience)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Franklin Park, IL (Temperature-controlled steel distribution facility)
Schedule: 1st Shift | 5:30 AM 2:00 PM | Monday Friday (Enjoy your evenings and every weekend off)
Position Overview
A leading, rapidly expanding steel distributor in Franklin Park, IL is urgently hiring a 1st Shift Material Handler. This is a long-term, stable career opportunitynot just another temporary warehouse job. In this role, you will develop advanced industrial skills by operating specialized overhead cranes and heavy-duty forklifts to move large steel coils. If you are dependable, safety-conscious, and want to grow into a skilled leadership role with a company investing heavily in new equipment, apply today for immediate consideration.
Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Pay & Stability: Earn a premium $22.00 to $25.00/hr starting wage with guaranteed year-round hours and steady, reliable paychecks.
• True Work-Life Balance: Maintain a consistent Monday through Friday daytime schedule. No night shifts and absolutely no weekends required.
• Defined Advancement Paths: Company expansion and extensive facility upgrades are creating immediate internal pathways into advanced production, specialized machinery, or team leadership roles.
• Premium Infrastructure: Work inside a fully temperature-controlled, clean, safe, and highly organized industrial distribution center.

Key Responsibilities

• Heavy Equipment Operation: Safely set up and operate overhead industrial cranes to lift, manipulate, and transport large, heavy steel coils and metal components.
• Forklift Driving: Operate material-handling equipment, including industrial forklifts, to safely stage inventory and feed production lines.
• Production Line Support: Assist with the workflow of industrial slitters, metal-processing equipment, and automated manufacturing machinery.
• Order Preparation: Read work orders accurately to pull, verify, bundle, and secure outgoing heavy material shipments.
• Quality Auditing: Use tape measures and visual inspection techniques to ensure all processed materials strictly match required specifications.
• Staging & Building: Build custom wooden skids, bundle finished metal products, and support general warehouse organization.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Prior history working within manufacturing, warehouse operations, steel distribution, heavy construction, or a related heavy industrial environment.
• Technical Aptitude: Proven ability to accurately read and work from a standard tape measure.
• Physical Capability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, highly active, and physically demanding production shop floor.
• Core Value: A dependable, punctual work ethic with a strong commitment to team-oriented safety and strict attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications (Plus, Not Required)

• Prior experience operating sit-down forklifts.
• Prior experience operating overhead bridge or gantry cranes.
• Hands-on experience handling steel, raw metals, or heavy bulk materials.

Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Franklin Park, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00/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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Franklin Park, IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Franklin Park,IL.

About Aerotek

Aerotek\u00AE 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.