Forklift Operator (Day Shift)

Freight Handler

Energy hits different on the dock. Not built for desk jobs? Perfect. Skip the gym. Move freight instead. We're looking for Freight Handlers who love being super active. At Roadrunner, you'll help keep freight moving safely, efficiently, and on time in a fast-paced environment where hard work matters. The Freight Handler is a mission-critical contributor to our Operations team, ensuring freight moves through our network with precision, speed, and zero compromise to safety or quality. As our Smart Network™ continues to scale nationwide, the reliability of our dock operations directly impacts transit performance, customer satisfaction, and the integrity of our long-haul model. This role exists to keep freight flowing efficiently through the service center—executing high-accuracy loading, unloading, tagging, and movement of shipments that power our metro-to-metro network. Success in this role means maintaining consistent throughput, minimizing rehandling, preventing damage, and supporting a clean, safe, and high-performance dock environment.

What you'll do

1. Execute high-precision freight handling

• Load, unload, stack, and secure freight with accuracy and care to prevent damage.
• Follow work orders and verbal instructions to determine freight movement priorities.
• Apply tags, labels, and documentation to ensure full shipment visibility.
• Assemble and band freight bundles to maintain stability and compliance.

2. Operate equipment safely and efficiently

• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, hoists, and other industrial equipment to move freight.
• Install blocking, bracing, and padding to secure freight in trailers.
• Maintain equipment cleanliness and support routine operational upkeep.
• Follow all safety rules, hazardous materials protocols, and operational procedures.

3. Maintain dock flow and operational readiness

• Transport freight between dock areas, trailers, and designated storage zones.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and free of hazards to support continuous flow.
• Assist machine operators and cross-functional teams as needed.
• Support proactive efforts to meet service center throughput and quality goals.

4. Support cross-functional coordination

• Communicate effectively with operations leadership and dock supervisors.
• Surface issues, delays, or safety concerns with clarity and urgency.
• Collaborate with team members to maintain a high performance dock environment.
• Demonstrate sound judgment when navigating ambiguous or fast changing situations.

5. Uphold safety, accuracy, and performance standards

• Prioritize tasks to meet operational timelines without sacrificing quality.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a high velocity environment.
• Ensure all freight is handled in alignment with company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

What you bring

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1–3 months of related experience or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Forklift driver qualification required.
• Hazardous Material Training preferred.
• Ability to perform basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Experience in freight, logistics, warehouse, or LTL environments is a plus.
• Proven ability to prioritize, multitask, and maintain composure in a fast paced setting.

How you operate

• You think in systems, not tasks.
• You take ownership of outcomes, not just activity.
• You move with urgency while maintaining accuracy and safety.
• You communicate clearly, directly, and respectfully.
• You adapt quickly when priorities shift.
• You solve problems with sound judgment, even when structure is limited.
• You support your team and contribute to a high performance culture.

Compensation & Setup

• Pay: $20.00 to $24.00 per hour
• Incentives: Performance recognition programs and bonuses where applicable.
• Location: Onsite – Chicago, IL
• Benefits: Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands, and talk and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and smell.
• The employee must regularly lift and or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 80 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving vehicles, outside weather conditions and vibrations. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, high precarious places, and extreme temperatures.
• The noise level in the work area is usually moderate to high.
• The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
• The position and any of the requirements listed above are subject to change at any time according to the changing needs of the company.

Roadrunner is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We will not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters or recruiting agencies. Thank you!