Inventory Associate
Job Description
The 1st Shift Materials Associate supports a growing defense technology operation in the Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, CA area by ensuring accurate, efficient movement of materials across multiple facilities. This role is part of the Supply Chain team and focuses on shipping and receiving, inventory control, and material handling to support high-volume, high-mix production. The position is primarily a day shift (approximately 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) with regular overtime, and candidates who are open to 2nd or 3rd shift are strongly valued. You will work across nearby sites, requiring reliable transportation and the ability to lift up to 35 lbs while maintaining clear communication and adherence to standard operating procedures.
Responsibilities
Process shipping and receiving activities at Santa Ana and/or Costa Mesa locations, ensuring all inbound and outbound materials are accurately documented and handled.
Prepare finished stock for shipment by identifying, pulling, packing, crating, labeling, loading, and securing products for transport.
Serve as a key point of contact to ensure material movement across sites is accurately transacted and recorded for each move.
Support orderly production and distribution of products by pulling orders from inventory, delivering production materials and supplies to designated areas, and staging finished products for final distribution.
Complete regular cycle counts and perform all warehouse activities with inventory accuracy as a top priority.
Maintain inventory by identifying and labeling materials and supplies, keeping items in stock, recording inventory locations, and promptly reporting shortages.
Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment to move items safely, or coordinate with machine operators to move materials onto and off trucks and loading docks.
Expedite the flow of materials, parts, and assemblies within and between departments in accordance with production schedules and supply chain requirements.
Use Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and other warehouse management and inventory control tools to track material movements and inventory status.
Apply familiarity with Lot, Serial, and Batch tracking to manage inventory in a high mix, high production volume environment.
Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and provide excellent customer service to production, engineering, and other teams requiring material support.
Prioritize tasks efficiently to meet production timelines and shipment deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and safety.
Follow established standard operating procedures and contribute to continuous improvement of warehouse and material handling processes.
Essential Skills
At least 2 years of experience as a warehouse associate or in an equivalent materials or logistics role.
At least 2 years of experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and/or other warehouse management and inventory control tools.
Hands-on experience with shipping and receiving operations in a warehouse or production environment.
Proficiency in inventory management, including Lot, Serial, and Batch tracking in high mix, high volume production settings.
Ability to lift objects up to 35 lbs and perform physical material handling tasks throughout the shift.
Experience operating forklifts and pallet jacks in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to travel between nearby sites as needed.
Strong organization skills and attention to detail, with a focus on inventory accuracy and proper documentation.
Excellent customer service skills and the ability to communicate clearly with team members and internal customers.
Ability to prioritize tasks efficiently and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office or equivalent office management tools for basic documentation and communication.
Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience working in a materials associate, warehouse associate, or similar role within a manufacturing, production, or defense environment.
Comfort working with high mix, high production volume inventory and complex tracking requirements.
Experience using modern ERP platforms and warehouse management systems to support material movement and inventory control.
Ability to follow and maintain standard operating procedures and contribute ideas for process improvements.
Strong interpersonal skills and a service-oriented mindset when supporting production and other departments.
Openness to working overtime and, if needed, to supporting 2nd or 3rd shift operations.
Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively within a supply chain and warehouse team.
Why Work Here?
You will join a fast-growing, innovative defense technology organization that is actively expanding its facilities and capabilities. The company applies modern technology and business practices to transform how military systems are designed, built, and delivered, offering a dynamic environment where your work directly supports meaningful missions. As part of an internal team that is scaling to keep up with increasing work orders, you will have opportunities to grow your skills, take on new responsibilities, and contribute to building out advanced operations. The culture emphasizes high performance, continuous improvement, and teamwork, providing a supportive environment for motivated professionals who want to develop their careers in supply chain and materials management.
Work Environment
The work takes place in a clean, modern environment within a large, growing organization that is expanding its footprint and has recently received funding to build new facilities. You will primarily work a day shift around 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with regular overtime opportunities, and may occasionally support other shifts based on business needs. The role involves working across multiple nearby sites in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, requiring reliable transportation and a valid driver's license. You will use forklifts, pallet jacks, ERP systems, and common office tools such as Microsoft Office in a warehouse and production setting focused on high mix, high volume inventory. The environment is structured, safety-conscious, and process-driven, with clear standard operating procedures guiding daily activities.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Santa Ana, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $27.50/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Santa Ana,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 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.
