Material Handler

Job Description

Job Description

Aerotek is seeking a Material Handler/Heavy Forklift Operator

Job Description

This role involves safely operating a large forklift to move heavy materials throughout the yard and shop, supporting daily production, shipping, and receiving activities. The material handler loads and unloads trucks, transports long and heavy products, and ensures accurate documentation and identification of all materials handled.

Responsibilities

• Operate a large forklift (including big truck and hyster-type equipment) to move heavy materials such as shell plate, pipe, I-beams, flat bar, and other long or bulky items throughout the yard and shop.
• Load and unload materials from trucks in a safe, efficient, and organized manner.
• Transport materials from the yard into the shop and between different areas of the facility as required for production and shipping.
• Handle very heavy and long materials with care, ensuring proper placement, balance, and secure handling at all times.
• Perform shipping and receiving duties, including verifying incoming and outgoing materials, checking counts, and ensuring materials match documentation.
• Complete required documentation related to material movement, shipping, receiving, and inventory as directed.
• Stencil materials once they are unloaded or received to ensure clear identification and traceability.
• Use material handling equipment appropriately and follow all safety procedures when operating forklifts and working around heavy loads.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work area in the yard and shop.
• Work effectively with team members and supervisors to support production schedules, shipping deadlines, and overall workflow.
• Adapt to working in varying weather conditions and adjust work practices to maintain safety and productivity.
• Rotate between day shift and second shift as needed to support operational requirements.

Essential Skills

• At least 5+ years of experience working as a material handler.
• Proven experience handling large, long, and very heavy materials safely and efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a large forklift, including big truck and hyster-type forklifts.
• Strong material handling skills in a yard, shop, or warehouse environment.
• Experience loading and unloading trucks using forklifts and other material handling equipment.
• Ability to perform basic shipping and receiving tasks, including documentation and verification of materials.
• Comfort working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and operate heavy equipment responsibly.
• Strong attention to detail when moving, identifying, and documenting materials.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Overhead crane (OH crane) experience preferred.
• Experience working in a heavy industrial, fabrication, or manufacturing environment is a plus.
• Ability to read and understand basic shipping, receiving, and inventory documentation.
• Willingness and flexibility to rotate between first and second shifts as required.
• Capability to work occasional Saturdays as needed.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work well within a team-focused environment.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a long-term position with a strong focus on safety and stability. Team members benefit from working in an environment that prioritizes safe practices, consistent work, and reliable operations. The company provides good benefits and supports long-term career growth for individuals who value safety, responsibility, and dependable work schedules.

Work Environment

The role is based in both an outdoor yard and an indoor shop environment. Conditions will reflect the weather, meaning it will be hot when it is hot and cold when it is cold, so comfort working outdoors in all seasons is essential. The position involves operating large forklifts and other material handling equipment around heavy industrial materials such as plate, pipe, I-beams, and flat bar. The standard schedule is a day shift from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with Saturdays worked as needed. The position requires flexibility to rotate to a second shift once it is opened, typically working approximately 6 months on first shift and 2–4 months on second shift before rotating back to first shift for 6 or more months. The environment is industrial and safety-focused, with an emphasis on proper handling of heavy materials and adherence to safety procedures at all times.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $22.00/hr.

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 Houston,TX.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 22, 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.

Company Description

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.