Crating & Material Handling Operator Job

Crating & Material Handling Operator Job

This position is for a Skilled Crating & Skid Fabrication Operator on 2nd shift responsible for constructing high-quality wooden crates, skids, and custom packaging by operating miter saws, panel saws, pneumatic nailers/staplers, knotchers, and related woodworking equipment to build oversized and custom-designed products per supplied drawings, while also performing routine material-handling duties to support overall manufacturing flow.

General Duties

• Prioritize safety in all tasks, following company policies, OSHA regulations, and established safe-work practices.
• Collaborate with and support cross-functional teams to maintain safe and efficient operations.
• Perform material-handling duties such as moving, staging, sorting, stacking, and inspecting raw materials and finished goods.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area, properly disposing of scrap materials and reporting unsafe conditions.
• Perform routine equipment checks and minor maintenance to ensure tools remain in safe operating condition.
• Document material usage, inspections, and required quality checkpoints.
• Assist with loading, securing, staging finished crates, skids, and packaged products for internal use or shipment.

Working Responsibilities

• Read and interpret shop drawings, blueprints, and production layouts with accuracy.
• Build and assemble wooden crates, skids, and specialty packaging using fasteners, braces, gussets, and reinforcements per design requirements.
• Cut lumber to precise mechanical tolerances using saws and specialty cutting equipment.
• Inspect assemblies for structural integrity, dimensional accuracy, and compliance with specifications.
• Ensure customer-focused quality standards without compromising safety or efficiency.
• Participate in 5S, continuous-improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Attend and participate in required company training.
• Adhere to all company policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Education and Experience

Prior experience in carpentry, crate/skid building, or woodworking preferred but not required. Familiarity with power tools, pneumatic tools, and measuring equipment preferred. Ability to read shop drawings, interpret measurements, and follow structured fabrication instructions. Ability to learn equipment operation, material specifications, and quality requirements.

Work Environment

Plant and warehouse environmentfrequent exposure to sawdust, loud machinery, and varying temperatures. Requires use of PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and steel toe/composite boots. Training provided for specialized tools and powered equipment.

Physical Demands

Regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and manual handling of lumber and tools. Frequently lift and move up to 50 pounds; occasional lifting up to 75 pounds with assistance. Ability to safely operate hand and power tools throughout the shift.

Why should you join MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions in the Americas. With approximately $1B in revenue, AWI has about 2,800 employees and a manufacturing network of fifteen facilities in North America. At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces. For more than 150 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees. We are committed to developing new and sustainable ceiling solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders.

Our Sustainability Ambition "Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow. We are committed to: Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce; Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet; Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play; Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

About the location (Libertyville IL)

MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI), is one of twelve AWI plants in North America. Our Libertyville plant in northern Illinois is located 1 hour northwest of Chicago, and 1 hour south of Milwaukee, WI. It is also a short, 7 mile drive to beautiful Lake Michigan. Visit Libertyville's historic downtown shopping and dining district, with nearly 100 restaurants, cafes and pubs. Stop by the Dunn Museum. Take your friends and family to the Libertyville Sports Complex. Check out their calendar of events for festivals, wine tastings, community bike rides, classic car shows and other activities that are hosted year-round. Libertyville provides a hometown feel, while being close to the 3rd and 31st largest cities in the US!

MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce. As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at AWI talent acquisition and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!