Forklift Operator And Material Handler

Job Title: Forklift Operator and Material Handler

Job Description

This role operates forklifts and material handling equipment to safely load, unload, move, and store products within a busy paper processing and manufacturing facility. The position supports day-to-day warehouse and logistics operations by handling materials efficiently, maintaining accurate inventory, and following strict safety and quality standards. The role includes a two-week training period on a daytime schedule, followed by assignment to a second-shift schedule.

Responsibilities

• Operate sit-down forklifts, order pickers, pallet jacks, and electric pallet jacks to load, unload, and transport materials throughout the facility.

• Load and unload semi-trailer trucks and move products to designated storage, staging, or production areas.

• Perform daily equipment inspections on forklifts and related material handling equipment and report any maintenance or safety concerns promptly.

• Conduct safety checks on lifts, including lubricating equipment, recharging batteries, filling fuel tanks, or replacing liquefied-gas tanks as needed.

• Maintain accurate inventory counts, verify product information, and report any discrepancies or damaged materials.

• Follow written work instructions, read labels and documentation, and complete basic inventory and material movement reports.

• Adhere to all company safety, quality, and operational procedures while working on the warehouse and production floors.

• Handle pallets, stack and palletize products safely, and secure loads to prevent damage during movement and transport.

• Navigate forklifts safely through aisles, ramps, trucks, and storage areas while maintaining awareness of surroundings and spatial limits.

• Support general warehouse duties, including loading, unloading, physical labor, and general labor tasks as needed.

• Work effectively during the training schedule (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM for two weeks) and then on the 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM second shift.

• Communicate with team members and supervisors to coordinate material flow and support logistics and production requirements.

Essential Skills

• At least 6 months of consistent forklift operation experience.

• Proficiency in safe operation of sit-down forklifts, including maneuvering through aisles, ramps, trucks, and storage areas.

• Knowledge of forklift load capacities, dimensions, and balance requirements to ensure safe lifting and transport of materials.

• Ability to recognize spatial limits such as doorways, shelves, and aisles to place materials safely and avoid damage.

• Familiarity with warehouse layouts and material flow for efficient loading, unloading, and storage.

• Ability to perform physical labor, including exerting 20–50 lbs occasionally, 10–25 lbs frequently, and up to 10 lbs constantly.

• Capability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs occasionally and 20–50 lbs frequently as part of daily tasks.

• Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages.

• Reading and writing skills sufficient to follow work instructions, read labels, and complete inventory and activity reports accurately.

• Commitment to following safety procedures and using required personal protective equipment at all times.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with order picking, order pulling, and palletizing in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.

• Expertise in logistics or material handling within an industrial or production setting.

• Comfort working in a loud, fast-paced production environment with changing priorities.

• Ability to work reliably on a fixed second-shift schedule (3:00 PM – 11:00 PM) after completing training.

• Strong attention to detail when handling materials, verifying counts, and documenting inventory movements.

• Effective communication and teamwork skills to coordinate with warehouse, logistics, and production staff.

Why Work Here?

The company offers a supportive environment where employees can build stable, long-term careers in a growing manufacturing operation. You receive two weeks of paid vacation starting on day one, providing immediate work-life balance support. Once you transition to full-time status, you gain access to a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage, HSA and FSA options, an employee assistance program, and a 401(k) plan to help you plan for the future. A dedicated break room offers a comfortable space to recharge during your shift, and the organization invests in structured training to help you succeed in your role and grow your skills over time.

Work Environment

This position is based in a paper processing and manufacturing facility with a very loud production floor and active material movement throughout the shift. You will work initially on a training schedule from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM for two weeks, then transition to a 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM second shift. The environment may include occasional exposure to weather, humidity, vibration, and atmospheric conditions when loading and unloading trucks or moving materials. The noise level is loud, and appropriate hearing protection may be required according to site policies. Work is physically demanding and involves frequent lifting, carrying, and moving of materials and pallets using sit-down forklifts, order pickers, pallet jacks, and electric pallet jacks. Steel toe or composite safety shoes are required at all times on the production floor, and employees are expected to follow all safety rules and use appropriate personal protective equipment while working.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Covington, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $16.25 - $16.85/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Covington,TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 24, 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.