Forklift Operator And Material Handler

Published: 6/14/2022

Job Description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Forklift Operator and Material HandlerJob Description

This role combines skilled forklift operation with hands-on material handling and warehouse support. You safely move raw materials and finished goods throughout manufacturing and warehouse areas, retrieve and store products at elevated heights, and assist with packing, loading, and unloading freight. You work with inventory tools such as RF scanners, manifests, and work orders, and contribute to maintaining an organized, efficient, and clean warehouse environment.

Responsibilities

Operate sit-down and stand-up forklifts and ride-along pallet jacks safely and efficiently, including in close quarters and tight spaces.
Retrieve and store product located up to 2–3 floors high, ensuring loads are secure and properly positioned.
Load and unload trailers and other freight vehicles, handling pallets, raw materials, and shipping goods.
Move raw and finished goods around the manufacturing and warehouse floors according to production and shipping needs.
Pick, select, and pack screws, bolts, fasteners, and other products accurately based on manifests, work orders, and inventory requirements.
Use RF scanners or similar inventory tools to track, scan, and record product movements and inventory transactions.
Wrap pallets manually or using a wrapping machine to secure loads for storage and transport.
Assist with general warehouse tasks, including order picking, staging, and organizing materials as needed.
Follow established safety practices and procedures at all times when operating forklifts, pallet jacks, and other equipment.
Handle lifting requirements, including regularly lifting items up to 50 lbs as part of daily warehouse activities.
Support inventory control processes by working off manifests and work orders and helping maintain accurate stock levels.
Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality to support consistent warehouse and manufacturing operations.

Essential Skills

At least 1 year of forklift operator experience within the past 2 years.
Experience operating forklifts in close quarters and tight warehouse spaces.
Ability to safely operate sit-down and stand-up forklifts and ride-along pallet jacks.
Material handling experience, including moving raw and shipping goods on manufacturing and warehouse floors.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs on a regular basis.
Knowledge of safety practices and procedures when operating forklifts and other warehouse equipment.
Experience with loading and unloading freight, including trailers and pallets.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Strong, reliable attendance record in previous roles.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Experience as a material handler with at least 1 year of hands-on warehouse work.
Experience using RF scanners or similar devices for inventory management.
Comfort working from manifests, work orders, and other inventory documents.
Background in packing screws, bolts, fasteners, or similar small components.
Experience with order picking and selecting products in a warehouse environment.
Experience operating a wrapping machine to secure pallets.
Familiarity with ERP or QDOC systems or similar warehouse management tools.
Ability to wrap, pack, and prepare pallets and orders for shipping.
Attention to detail when selecting, packing, and scanning inventory.
Ability to work Monday through Friday on an afternoon/evening shift (3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.).

Why Work Here?

You join a modern, clean warehouse environment that values safety, reliability, and teamwork. The role offers consistent weekday hours, a mix of equipment operation and hands-on tasks, and the opportunity to build and expand your skills in inventory, material handling, and warehouse operations. You work with updated facilities and tools while contributing to a well-organized and efficient operation.

Work Environment

This position is based in a newer, very clean warehouse facility that supports both manufacturing and distribution activities. You work Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., spending approximately 40–60% of your time operating forklifts and pallet jacks and the remaining time on tasks such as picking, packing, wrapping, loading, and unloading. The environment involves working in close quarters with forklifts and other material handling equipment, handling pallets and inventory with RF scanners and ERP/QDOC tools, and following established safety procedures throughout your shift.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Agawam, MA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $22.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Agawam,MA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 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.

\nCompany 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.