Forklift Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Forklift Operator / Material Handler Job Description

The Material Handler plays a key hands-on role in supporting production by ensuring materials and supplies are delivered to the right locations at the right time. This position helps maintain a smooth and continuous production flow, supports receiving and inventory activities, and contributes to a safe, clean, and organized work environment. While you will operate a forklift, the role also includes general labor and janitorial-type duties as part of daily responsibilities.

• Deliver materials to production lines according to established schedules using a sit-down forklift and other material handling equipment.
• Respond quickly and accurately to Kanban signals and replenishment needs to maintain continuous production flow.
• Support receiving and inventory activities by moving, storing, and organizing materials as directed.
• Use RF scanners and pallet jacks to load, unload, move, and track materials within the warehouse and pre-fabrication shop.
• Perform general labor and janitorial-type duties, including cleaning, custodial work, and shop clean-up to maintain a safe and orderly facility.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment in all assigned areas.
• Provide clear feedback to the Coordinator and Manager on process or material flow issues and suggest improvements when appropriate.
• Follow all safety procedures and guidelines, including proper use of personal protective equipment such as steel toe boots and safety glasses.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, repetitive, construction-related pre-fabrication environment.
• Adhere to established work schedules and production timelines while meeting quality and safety standards.

• Experience with material handling in a warehouse or production environment.
• Ability to operate or learn to operate a sit-down forklift; prior forklift experience is heavily preferred but not required.
• Comfort using RF scanners, pallet jacks, and other common warehouse equipment.
• Ability to perform general labor, cleaning, custodial, and shop clean-up duties as part of daily work.
• Capability to work in a fast-paced, repetitive, construction-related pre-fabrication shop.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to respond accurately to Kanban signals and replenishment needs.
• Effective communication skills to provide feedback on process and flow issues to leadership.
• Reliability in adhering to scheduled work hours and production demands.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, lift, and perform manual tasks throughout the shift.

• Prior experience operating a forklift in a warehouse or production setting is heavily preferred.
• Previous warehouse, storage, or general labor experience.
• Familiarity with inventory processes and material flow in a manufacturing or pre-fabrication environment.
• Comfort working with loading and unloading activities and basic logistics tasks.
• Willingness to perform janitorial and custodial duties in addition to equipment operation.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and respond quickly to production needs.
• Strong work ethic and desire to grow into increased responsibility over time.

Employees enjoy a strong reputation within the industry, competitive compensation, and a clear path for progression and advancement. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, a 401(k) retirement plan, military reserve pay offset, and paid maternity leave. Team members benefit from a supportive environment that values reliability, growth, and long-term career development.

This role is based in a fast-paced, repetitive, construction-related pre-fabrication shop and warehouse setting. You will work around production lines, materials storage areas, and loading zones, using equipment such as sit-down forklifts, RF scanners, and pallet jacks. The standard schedule runs approximately from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, with some roles noted as 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM, so early morning starts and full-day shifts are expected. The environment emphasizes safety and cleanliness, with a requirement to wear steel toe boots and safety glasses at all times. The dress code consists of long pants, a t-shirt, and steel toe boots, suitable for hands-on, physical work in a shop setting. While you will spend time on the forklift, a significant portion of the role involves janitorial-type duties, general labor, and shop clean-up, making this a blended position that combines equipment operation with physical, hands-on tasks.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ruther Glen, VA.

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $24.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Ruther Glen,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 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.