Chemical Operator

Job Title: Machine Operator- text View phone number on jobs.aerotek.com if interested

Job Description

This role focuses on safely operating equipment in a liquid chemical plant to transfer, load, and unload various chemicals while maintaining a clean and organized work area. You will work with pumps, hoses, tanks, drums, and totes, and may operate a sit-down forklift and spotter truck in a heavy industrial environment that handles hazardous materials.

Responsibilities

• Operate pumps and related equipment to transfer liquid chemicals between tanks, totes, drums, and other containers.
• Connect and disconnect hoses to tanks and other vessels to safely transfer liquid chemicals to totes and drums.
• Manually move totes and containers of chemicals weighing approximately 35 pounds and use a sit-down forklift to handle heavier loads.
• Verify incoming and outgoing products by comparing physical materials with written documentation to ensure accuracy.
• Label drums and totes clearly and accurately to meet safety and regulatory requirements.
• Perform consistent heavy lifting and material handling throughout the shift.
• Work in peroxide transloading and hazardous material transloading departments to transfer chemicals safely and efficiently.
• Drive a spotter truck on site to move containers and equipment around the property, as needed.
• Clean and maintain the work area regularly to ensure a safe, orderly, and compliant environment.
• Follow all safety procedures and guidelines when working near hazardous chemicals and industrial equipment.
• Support production operations by blending, batch making, and compounding chemicals as needed.
• Load and unload railcars, tanks, and other bulk containers using appropriate hoses, valves, and transfer systems.
• Collaborate with team members and supervisors to meet production goals and respond to changing operational needs.
• Work overtime when required to support production demands and operational schedules.

Essential Skills

• Experience working in an industrial or manufacturing environment on production machinery such as valves and pumps.
• Hands-on experience with chemical operations, compounding, or batch making in a production setting.
• Proficiency in fluid transfer operations, including the use of hoses, tank loading equipment, and railcar loading systems.
• Previous experience operating a sit-down forklift to move drums, totes, and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to perform heavy lifting and safely load and unload materials throughout the workday.
• Comfort working in a very heavy-duty industrial environment around hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to read, understand, and verify written documents related to product identification and shipments.
• Strong attention to safety procedures and safe handling of hazardous materials.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed to support production and logistics operations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Chemical Operator, Compounder, Mixer, or similar role in a chemical or manufacturing facility.
• Experience working with pumps, valves, and other fluid handling equipment in an industrial setting.
• Experience in tank loading, railcar loading, and bulk chemical transfer operations.
• Familiarity with labeling requirements and documentation practices for chemical products.
• Comfort working both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to operate or learn to operate a spotter truck for on-site container movement.
• Strong teamwork skills and reliability in a production or logistics environment.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from cross-training across multiple departments, allowing them to build diverse skills and advance their careers. The organization offers a 401(k) plan with company match and provides three weeks of vacation, supporting long-term financial security and work-life balance. The culture emphasizes a family-oriented environment where leadership values and takes care of employees, fostering stability and mutual respect.

Work Environment

The facility operates as a full-service chemical storage, handling, and distribution logistics operation in a very heavy-duty industrial setting. Employees work around hazardous chemicals and must be comfortable in an environment that includes pumps, valves, tanks, railcars, hoses, forklifts, and spotter trucks. The company is non-union and has approximately 100 employees, promoting a close-knit, collaborative workplace. This position follows a first-shift schedule, typically 6:00 AM–2:30 PM or 7:00 AM–3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Work takes place both indoors and outdoors, with roughly half of the day spent outside, so employees should be prepared for varying weather conditions. The role involves consistent heavy lifting and the use of industrial equipment, requiring appropriate work attire suitable for a chemical and heavy manufacturing environment.

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

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $20.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Joliet,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 11, 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.