Job Title: 1st Shift Material Handler
Job Description
This role supports a busy distribution center by safely moving, storing, and organizing materials using forklifts and other material handling equipment. You will work on a small, collaborative team where you handle a variety of tasks, including operating sit-down and stand-up forklifts, order picking and packing, and loading and unloading trucks. This position offers structured progression, hands-on training, and clear opportunities for growth within the warehouse environment.
Responsibilities
Operate sit-down and stand-up forklifts and other material handling equipment in a safe and efficient manner once certified by an on-site trainer.
Use RF scanners to accurately pick, pack, and process customer orders according to established procedures.
Load and unload trucks, ensuring products are handled carefully and staged in the correct locations.
Put material away in designated storage areas and stage product for outbound shipments.
Perform picking and packing tasks, including assembling orders, packaging items, and preparing shipments.
Handle general warehouse duties such as material handling, palletizing, and maintaining organized work areas.
Work at heights when required, including operating equipment that elevates to the top of shelving.
Lift and move materials weighing approximately 20-30 pounds throughout the shift.
Use pallet jacks and other manual material handling tools as needed.
Support inventory activities, including counting, tracking, and verifying warehouse inventory using RF scanners.
Remain flexible and willing to perform non-forklift duties while waiting for forklift certification due to limited trainer availability.
Follow all safety procedures and warehouse guidelines to maintain a clean, safe, and efficient work environment.
Essential Skills
6 months to 1 year of warehouse picking and packing experience.
6 months to 1 year of forklift operating experience.
Experience with material handling in a warehouse or distribution center environment.
Ability to operate sit-down and stand-up forklifts (with certification provided on-site).
Ability to use RF scanners for picking, packing, and inventory tasks.
Experience with loading and unloading trucks in a warehouse setting.
Ability to safely lift and move 20-30 pounds on a regular basis.
Comfort working at heights when using equipment that reaches upper shelving levels.
Basic experience using pallet jacks and other manual material handling tools.
Reliability and willingness to perform a variety of warehouse tasks, not just forklift operation.
Strong attention to detail to ensure accurate picking, packing, and inventory handling.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with warehouse inventory processes and cycle counting.
Experience in general labor within a warehouse pick/pack environment.
Familiarity with packaging standards and preparing products for shipment.
Willingness to learn new equipment and processes, with training provided on-site.
Interest in progressing through defined material handler levels based on experience and performance.
Ability to adapt to overtime requirements, including occasional weekend work.
Why Work Here?
You join a smaller, tight-knit team where many employees have long tenure, creating a stable and supportive work environment. The organization offers clear progression paths with multiple material handler levels and frequent opportunities for promotion as you gain skills and experience. As you move up through different progressions in your position, your pay increases, and you also receive annual reviews that recognize your contributions. The reduction in overall headcount has created more hands-on training opportunities and greater access to cross-training, which supports personal growth and career development within the warehouse.
Work Environment
This is a 1st shift position in a distribution center operating Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with overtime commonly worked on Saturdays. The team is currently working overtime with mandatory Saturdays, and contractors may sign up for Sunday overtime; if they work Monday through Saturday and also work Sunday, they receive double time on Sunday. You will work in a warehouse environment that uses sit-down and stand-up forklifts, pallet jacks, RF scanners, and standard material handling and packaging equipment. The role requires frequent movement, lifting 20-30 pounds, and working at heights when operating equipment that reaches the top of shelving. The setting is hands-on, fast-paced, and safety-focused, with structured training provided by a designated forklift trainer before operating powered equipment
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Whitewater, WI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.60 - $21.60/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 Whitewater,WI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 12, 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.
