Shipping Forklift Operator

Job Title: Shipping Forklift Operator
Job Description
The Shipping Forklift Operator safely and efficiently moves, stores, loads, and unloads products, packaging materials, and warehouse inventory throughout the facility. This role supports production and shipping operations by ensuring materials and finished goods are delivered accurately and on time while maintaining a clean, organized, and safety-focused work environment.
Responsibilities

• Operate stand-up and sit-down forklifts, including stand-up reach forklifts, to move pallets, bags, and large shipping bins throughout the shipping department and warehouse.
• Lift and place pallets and bags up to approximately 40 feet high in racking systems, ensuring secure and accurate placement.
• Load and unload trucks and other transport vehicles safely and efficiently, following all site procedures.
• Support shipping and receiving activities by staging, organizing, and moving materials and finished goods to designated locations.
• Perform inventory-related tasks, including cycle counts, to maintain accurate stock levels and proper documentation.
• Use RF scanners to track, scan, and update inventory movements within the warehouse and cold storage areas.
• Work in cold storage environments at approximately 32 degrees, handling products such as peppers and garlic while maintaining productivity and safety.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area, including keeping aisles, racking, and staging areas clear and orderly.
• Follow all safety protocols and equipment operating procedures, including proper use of personal protective equipment and adherence to facility rules.
• Collaborate with production and shipping teams to ensure materials and products are available when needed and that orders ship on time.
• Participate in training at one facility and then transition to work at another plant as assigned, adapting to different layouts and workflows.
• Report any equipment issues, safety hazards, or inventory discrepancies to the appropriate personnel in a timely manner.

Essential Skills

• Proven forklift experience, including stand-up forklift operation in a shipping or warehouse environment.
• Experience operating reach lift equipment and working with racking systems up to approximately 40 feet high.
• Hands-on experience handling pallets, large shipping bins, and similar materials in a shipping or distribution setting.
• Experience in shipping and receiving operations, including loading, unloading, and staging materials.
• Experience with inventory control activities such as cycle counts and stock verification.
• Ability to use RF scanners for tracking inventory and documenting material movements.
• Comfort working in cold storage environments at approximately 32 degrees.
• Ability to work safely around strong food odors and "spicy" or "hot" products such as peppers.
• Capability to train on a first-shift schedule and then transition to a second-shift schedule (approximately 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.).
• Ability to follow safety procedures, maintain organization, and work effectively in a fast-paced shipping environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bilingual communication skills are a plus.
• Prior experience working in food-related warehousing or cold storage environments is beneficial.
• Familiarity with both stand-up and sit-down forklift types in a shipping department is advantageous.

Why Work Here?
You join a production and shipping operation where safety, organization, and teamwork are central to daily work. The role offers the opportunity to build and apply strong forklift and inventory skills in a structured environment with clear processes and expectations. You receive hands-on training at one facility before transitioning to another, allowing you to become familiar with different layouts and operations while contributing to a stable, ongoing workflow.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Shafter, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.25 - $21.75/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Shafter,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 22, 2026.

About Aerotek

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.