Warehouse Associate

Job Title: Warehouse Associate

Job Description

This Warehouse Associate role focuses on safely handling, packaging, and shipping materials while supporting logistics and assembly operations in a modern, well-organized facility. You will manage inbound and outbound shipments, operate various types of forklifts and material handling equipment, maintain accurate inventory records in SAP, and help keep the warehouse clean, efficient, and compliant with safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare products by skid, crate, or box for shipment and process routine and standard shipping paperwork.

• Maintain a clean and safe working environment by properly and promptly disposing of and storing materials.

• Support assembly operations by repackaging, kitting, and staging materials as needed.

• Safely remove and dispose of wood, plastic, metal, and other packaging materials according to standard procedures.

• Use SAP to update storage bin information and accurately identify and locate materials.

• Complete routine inspections of material handling equipment to ensure safe and reliable operation.

• Operate a turret truck forklift to pick orders at height, following all safety procedures.

• Operate a sit-down forklift to move picked orders from racks to shipping areas.

• Spend approximately 10–20% of the shift on forklifts (turret and sit-down) after training and certification, while performing a variety of other warehouse tasks for the remainder of the shift.

• Transport scrap bins to the unloading area and transfer materials into dumpsters according to procedure.

• Unload and load trucks daily using forklifts, following established processes and safety guidelines.

• Unload 3–4 inbound trucks per day and load an average of 2 outbound trucks per day on the assigned shift.

• Unload trucks according to documented procedures and move materials to the appropriate staging areas.

• Visually inspect incoming parts and move them to receiving parts staging areas.

• Operate forklift trucks and/or cranes to move materials into and out of assembly and production areas.

• Use RF scanners, shipping systems, and related tools to support accurate order picking, inventory control, and shipping documentation.

• Assist with order picking, inventory management, and warehouse distribution activities as required.

• Follow 5S and lean principles to keep work areas organized, labeled, and free of unnecessary clutter.

• Adhere to all facility safety expectations, including the use of required personal protective equipment and compliance with all safety procedures.

Essential Skills

• Previous experience operating sit-down or stand-up forklifts in a warehouse or distribution environment.

• Comfort working at heights, including using very-narrow-aisle stand-up turret trucks to pick orders.

• Ability to perform material handling tasks such as loading, unloading, order picking, and moving inventory throughout the warehouse.

• Experience with shipping and receiving processes, including handling pallets, crates, and boxes.

• Familiarity with inventory control and warehouse inventory practices.

• Ability to use or learn SAP to update storage bin information and locate materials.

• Comfort working in an environment where there may be smells such as paint and oil.

• Willingness to work a 1st shift schedule (approximately 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).

• Ability to perform routine inspections of material handling equipment and report issues.

• Capability to follow written procedures and safety guidelines consistently.

• Willingness to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and steel-toe shoes, at all times on site.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous shipping and receiving experience in a manufacturing or logistics environment.

• Experience operating turret truck forklifts or very-narrow-aisle stand-up trucks.

• Familiarity with bills of lading and related shipping documentation.

• Experience with inventory management and paper-based inventory records.

• Hands-on experience with warehouse technologies such as RF scanners, shipping systems, and UPS WorldShip.

• Experience operating stand-up reach trucks, stand-up lifts, or turret trucks.

• Background in production, warehouse distribution, or logistics support.

• Comfort working in a versatile role that includes both forklift operation and general warehouse duties rather than being on a forklift all day.

Why Work Here?

You will join a modern, safety-focused organization where employees tend to build long-term careers, with many team members staying 10 to 15 years. The environment emphasizes teamwork, clear communication, and setting people up for success, with leadership providing direct feedback and flexibility when occasional mistakes or attendance issues arise, as long as there is consistent effort. The facility offers a strong safety record, recognized as one of the safest in its industry, and provides paid breaks, meaning your compensated time exceeds your base working hours. You will benefit from a structured, lean, and well-organized operation that values continuous improvement and a supportive, team-oriented culture.

Work Environment

The facility is a modern, clean, and well-lit environment that strongly follows 5S principles (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain) to maintain organization and efficiency. It is climate-controlled and laid out with wide, well-spaced aisles rather than narrow, congested pathways. Operations are organized into distinct departments, including new production, wind service (disassembly), industrial (repairs and new builds), and logistics (shipping and receiving), providing clear structure and workflow. The site uses a range of warehouse and logistics technologies, including SAP for inventory and storage bin management, RF scanners, shipping systems, UPS WorldShip, turret truck forklifts, stand-up forklifts, sit-down forklifts, stand-up reach trucks, and cranes for moving materials. The workday on this role typically runs from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and employees receive two 20-minute breaks that are paid. The environment may include smells such as paint and oil, consistent with a production and logistics setting. Safety is a core priority, with an outstanding record of multiple years without lost-time injuries and a strong emphasis on safe practices. All team members must wear safety glasses and steel-toe shoes at all times. The organization provides work shirts, and employees are encouraged to wear durable jeans or pants that they do not mind getting dirty, even though the facility is kept clean and orderly. The culture is team-oriented and supportive, with leadership focused on ensuring that new hires receive the training and guidance they need to succeed.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elgin, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.48 - $21.42/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 Elgin,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 9, 2026.

About Aerotek

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 meets 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 solving for 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.

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.