Job Title: Warehouse Worker - Sit-Down Forklift Operator (Freezer Environment)
Job Description
This role involves working in a high-volume shipping and receiving operation, primarily operating sit-down forklifts to load and unload semi-trucks and move pallets and boxes of corn throughout a cold storage distribution center. You will work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where safety, accuracy, and efficiency are essential, frequently entering a freezer area maintained at approximately 15°F to support daily staging, pickups, and deliveries.
Responsibilities
Operate a sit-down forklift (hilo) to safely load and unload semi-trucks filled with pallets and boxes of corn in the shipping and receiving area.
Move and stage corn pallets and boxes throughout the distribution center, including all designated staging areas, while maintaining organized product flow.
Participate in a 20-minute shift meeting at the start of each shift to review scheduled pickups and deliveries, understand daily assignments, and align with the shipping team's plan.
Enter and work inside the freezer area, maintained at approximately 15°F, multiple times per shift (up to 80 entries per day in 3-5 minute intervals) to complete loading, unloading, and staging tasks.
Use scan guns to accurately scan products, update inventory records, and ensure correct placement and tracking of pallets and boxes within the distribution center.
Operate forklifts in tight and crowded spaces while adhering strictly to a zero-accident policy and all site safety procedures.
Maintain and inspect the forklift before and during use, reporting any issues or safety concerns promptly to help ensure safe and reliable equipment operation.
Wear and properly use all required personal protective equipment (PPE), including seat belts, hard hats, safety glasses, reflective PPE, and steel-toe boots, at all times while on the floor.
Follow all material handling and stacking procedures to ensure pallets are secure, stable, and safely stored, including working around pallets stacked up to 40 feet high.
Support a fast-paced, busy shipping environment by unloading up to 30 trucks per day as part of a coordinated team of forklift drivers.
Communicate clearly with team members and supervisors to coordinate truck movements, staging locations, and workflow in a crowded, equipment-heavy area.
Adhere to all company safety policies and maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area within the distribution center.
Start on first shift and adapt to seasonal workload changes, particularly during peak corn harvesting season when volume and pace increase significantly.
Essential Skills
Minimum of 1 year of recent experience operating a sit-down forklift (hilo) in a warehouse or distribution center environment.
Minimum of 1 year of experience using scan guns within a distribution center to track inventory and manage product movement.
Demonstrated ability to operate forklifts safely in tight, crowded spaces while maintaining a zero-accident record.
Documented zero safety record in previous roles, reflecting a strong commitment to workplace safety.
Proficiency in material handling, including loading, unloading, stacking, and moving pallets and boxes efficiently.
Experience working in shipping and receiving operations, including truck loading, unloading, and staging of goods.
Ability to work in cold environments, including frequent entry into a freezer area maintained at approximately 15°F.
Strong attention to detail when scanning, labeling, and staging products to ensure accurate inventory and order fulfillment.
Consistent use of PPE, including seat belts, hard hats, safety glasses, reflective PPE, and steel-toe boots, in compliance with safety standards.
Capability to work in a fast-paced environment with high truck volumes and continuous equipment movement.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Prior experience working in a freezer or cold storage distribution center.
Experience in high-volume agricultural, food, or seed distribution environments.
Comfort working in a busy, close-quarters setting with frequent equipment traffic and tight maneuvering spaces.
Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively with a large group of forklift drivers.
Reliability and punctuality, including readiness to attend and participate actively in daily shift meetings.
Ability to adapt to seasonal fluctuations in workload, especially during peak harvesting periods.
Willingness to wear winter or heavy clothing (such as insulated workwear) to remain comfortable in cold environments.
Why Work Here?
You will join a fast-paced, supportive team environment where colleagues look out for one another and work together to handle high volumes safely and efficiently. The distribution center offers consistent, engaging work with clear daily structure, including shift meetings that keep everyone informed and aligned. You will benefit from a stable operation that grows during peak season, providing opportunities to build your skills in a dynamic logistics setting. The culture emphasizes safety, teamwork, and mutual support, creating a place where your experience and commitment to safe, efficient work are valued and recognized.
Work Environment
The role is based in a busy distribution center that handles high volumes of corn, with pallets stacked up to 40 feet high and a constant flow of equipment and truck traffic. A significant portion of the work takes place in a freezer area maintained at approximately 15°F, requiring frequent short entries throughout the shift. The facility is fairly clean and operates at a fast pace, with a continuous buzz of forklifts, equipment, and beeping signals in the shipping and receiving area. The environment is close-quartered, especially during busy seasons, and the team typically consists of about 15-25 sit-down forklift drivers per shift when volume peaks between October and April. All new hires start on first shift. The building can feel cold in the winter and warm in the summer, with a soft smell of corn in the air. Employees commonly wear insulated or winter-style clothing to stay comfortable in the freezer area. A strict safety culture is in place, requiring the use of seat belts, hard hats, safety glasses, reflective PPE, and steel-toe boots. The dress code includes steel-toe boots and jeans, supporting both safety and practicality in this high-activity warehouse environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Constantine, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $19.50 - $19.50/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 Constantine,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 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.
