Material Handler

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Material Handler

Job Description

This role focuses on reconditioning heat exchange plates from start to finish, including removing and replacing rubber gaskets, cleaning and testing plates for defects, and preparing finished products for shipment in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Recondition heat exchange plates from arrival through final packaging, ensuring each plate meets quality and safety standards.
• Remove old rubber gaskets from heat exchange plates either by hand or by dipping plates in a container filled with liquid nitrogen.
• Power wash plates thoroughly to remove residue and prepare surfaces for inspection and re-gasketing.
• Test plates for cracks, holes, or other defects by applying a specialized material and inspecting under a black light.
• Wash and dry plates after defect testing to ensure they are clean and ready for the next stage of the process.
• Apply and glue new rubber gaskets onto plates with precision and attention to detail.
• Transfer plates into an oven to properly adhere gaskets to the metal and monitor the process to ensure correct curing.
• Cool plates after oven processing and prepare them for packaging and shipment.
• Package finished plates securely for shipment, following established procedures to prevent damage in transit.
• Perform general labor and material handling tasks, including loading, unloading, and moving materials as needed.
• Use hand tools, forklifts, and other equipment safely to support production and material handling activities.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, including routine cleaning tasks within the production and warehouse environment.
• Work collaboratively with team members to meet daily production output and quality goals.
• Follow all safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment while handling materials and equipment.
• Be available to work first shift hours and support overtime or Saturday work when needed to meet production demands.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of manufacturing or production experience.
• Demonstrated attention to detail when inspecting, cleaning, and assembling components.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Capability to lift up to 50 pounds safely and repeatedly as part of daily duties.
• Self-motivated approach with the ability to stay on task with minimal supervision.
• Experience performing general labor and production tasks in a manufacturing setting.
• Comfort with material handling, including loading, unloading, and moving products or components.
• Ability to use hand tools safely and effectively in a production environment.
• Experience with packaging and preparing products for shipment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and adhere to safety and quality procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with forklifts or powered industrial trucks in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.
• Experience in assembly or reconditioning work involving metal components or gaskets.
• Prior experience with cleaning processes such as power washing in an industrial setting.
• Familiarity with defect detection methods, including visual inspection under specialized lighting.
• Comfort working with liquids and chemicals used in cleaning and inspection processes, following safety guidelines.
• Willingness to travel for extended periods in the future to support field teams that remove exchange plates from manufacturing sites.
• Interest in long-term growth and advancement opportunities within a small production team.

Why Work Here?

You join a small, close-knit team where leadership supports a relaxed yet productive atmosphere and values steady, reliable work over rushed output. Team members have a clear path for advancement, with real examples of employees growing into supervisory roles. For those interested in travel, there are opportunities to join field teams that remove exchange plates from manufacturing sites, with strong earning potential and additional per diem when working away from home. The environment emphasizes stability, growth, and work-life balance, offering consistent first-shift hours and a supportive culture built on trust and collaboration.

Work Environment

This position is based in a manufacturing environment within a very open warehouse. The team works in a laid-back atmosphere where the focus is on consistently meeting production output rather than moving at an overly fast pace. The facility is not climate controlled, so temperatures will vary with the seasons. This is a first shift role with hours from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the expectation of working occasional Saturdays as production needs require. You will work around industrial equipment such as power washers, ovens for curing gaskets, hand tools, and material handling equipment, potentially including forklifts. The work involves handling thin sheet metal plates approximately the size of a door, as well as rubber gaskets and liquids used for cleaning and defect detection. The dress code requires steel-toed boots and jeans, and safety glasses and gloves are provided. The team includes many individuals with prior or current agency experience, contributing to a collaborative and supportive culture focused on safety, quality, and steady production.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ankeny, IA.

The pay range for this position is $18.50 - $18.50/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 Ankeny,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 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.