Job Title: Warehouse Worker / Forklift Operator Job Description
This role focuses on safely and efficiently moving, storing, and handling materials in a high-volume, state-of-the-art warehouse and packaging facility. You will operate forklifts and pallet riders, support production areas with a tight two-hour material lead time, and perform hands-on warehouse tasks such as picking, packing, cleaning, and quality checks. The position plays a key role in maintaining an organized, accurate, and safe operation while meeting high hourly production goals and strict quality and safety standards.
Responsibilities
Operate forklifts and other material handling equipment safely and efficiently to move, locate, relocate, stack, and count merchandise.
Support production areas by ensuring all materials are staged and delivered within a two-hour lead time to meet high hourly production goals.
Spend approximately half of each shift performing forklift or equipment-related tasks and the remaining time walking, cleaning, handling materials by hand, and performing other duties as assigned.
Use a warehouse management system and RF scanners to perform order selection, picking, packing, shipping, receiving, and inventory transactions accurately.
Perform order selection and order pulling, including picking and packing products, labeling, and preparing orders for shipment.
Load and unload trailers and other vehicles using forklifts, pallet jacks, walkies, and manual handling techniques.
Execute inventory control activities such as cycle counts, stock rotation, and verification of quantities and locations.
Conduct quality checks and uphold quality control rules to ensure all products meet established standards before leaving the warehouse.
Maintain accurate warehouse inventory records and support order entry and order processing tasks as required.
Handle repetitive packing tasks and material handling duties while maintaining consistent speed and accuracy.
Adhere to all safety procedures and standards, including safe equipment operation in narrow aisles and a climate-controlled environment.
Keep work areas clean, organized, and free of hazards, including routine cleaning and housekeeping tasks throughout the shift.
Meet and maintain production metrics and standards, balancing multiple processes to support overall system efficiency.
Follow established workflows and learn the warehouse layout, inventory system, and product flow to progress to more advanced equipment over time.
Participate in ongoing training, performance feedback, and progression discussions, incorporating feedback into daily performance.
Maintain excellent attendance and comply with the attendance and occurrence policies to remain in good standing and support contract-to-hire opportunities.
Essential Skills
Minimum 3 years of experience in storage processes and supporting production areas.
Minimum 3 years of forklift operation or mobile equipment experience, with a strong focus on safe and efficient operation.
Experience operating stand-up, electric-powered forklifts (not gas) or similar electric material handling equipment.
Forklift certifications that can be verified through references, along with verifiable forklift skills.
Hands-on experience using a warehouse management system in a distribution environment.
Proficiency using RF scanners for picking, packing, inventory, and order processing tasks.
Demonstrated ability to perform order selection, order pulling, and order processing in a warehouse or distribution setting.
Experience with packaging, inventory control, shipping and receiving, and warehouse packing and shipping activities.
Ability to use pallet jacks, walkies, and other material handling tools for loading, unloading, and transporting materials.
Strong computer skills sufficient to navigate warehouse systems, enter data, and complete inventory transactions.
Experience performing quality control and quality checks, with a proven record of upholding safety and quality standards.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks, particularly in packing, while maintaining speed and accuracy.
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs unassisted on a regular basis.
Ability to balance multiple processes simultaneously to support overall system efficiency and production goals.
Consistent work history with no significant gaps in employment for 12 years, demonstrating reliability and commitment.
Ability to understand, track, and maintain production metrics and standards in a fast-paced environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience working in narrow warehouse aisles and adapting equipment operation to tight spaces.
Familiarity with electric pallet riders, stand-up lifts, and reach trucks, even if prior roles involved different equipment.
Demonstrated success in environments with strict attendance and performance expectations.
Comfort working under performance feedback models, including weekly assessments and periodic performance reviews.
Experience in transportation-related warehouse activities, including coordinating loading and unloading of goods.
Strong attention to detail for labeling, inventory accuracy, and quality checks.
Willingness to start in an entry-level equipment role regardless of prior experience and progress based on performance and learning.
Ability to learn new warehouse layouts, inventory systems, and product flows quickly and thoroughly.
Openness to structured career progression, including moving from manual and electric pallet riders to more advanced equipment as opportunities arise.
Capability to work within a contract-to-hire structure and understand that conversion to permanent employment depends on performance and attendance.
Why Work Here?
You will join an organization that believes "only the best is good enough" and applies this principle not just to products, but to daily operations and the well-being of its people. The culture emphasizes positive impact on the environment and local communities, while inspiring the builders of the future. You will benefit from clear training benchmarks, consistent safety and training standards, and structured performance feedback designed to help you learn, grow, and become part of a core team in a growing operation. There is a defined career path with structured progression in roles, responsibilities, and pay, potentially beginning as early as three months after hire. Every new hire accrues up to 120 hours of vacation per year starting on their hire date, and performance is reviewed annually in line with company policies. After the contract period, you may become eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including access to benefits starting the first of the month after hire, and participation in a bonus program with a maximum payout opportunity of 10%. With a large, state-of-the-art facility planned for the future and real upward mobility, you can build a long-term career in a modern, people-focused environment.
Work Environment
You will work in a very clean, state-of-the-art facility that houses packaging operations, a warehouse, and a dedicated training center in a climate-controlled environment. The warehouse features relatively narrow aisles of about 12 feet, so all associates must thoroughly learn spacing and navigation before operating any equipment. The facility includes a canteen and breakroom equipped with food and drink machines, as well as a locker room with lockers available upon request. Personal cell phones must remain in lockers or in your car and are not allowed on the production floor, supporting a focused and safe work environment. You will use electric-powered, stand-up forklifts, manual and electric pallet riders, RF scanners, and a warehouse management system as part of daily operations. All new hires begin in entry-level equipment roles, typically on manual and electric pallet riders, and may progress over time to reach trucks and stand-up forklifts as they master the warehouse layout, inventory systems, and production flow. Most associates will spend a few weeks up to six months before operating forklifts, with progression based on learning, performance, and equipment availability. Attendance is critical due to a structured occurrence-based attendance system; contract-to-hire conversion is not automatic and depends on attendance and performance evaluations, including a review around the eight-week mark. Points for attendance occurrences can fall off over time, with specific timelines currently aligned to a six-month period. Overall, the environment combines modern facilities, clear expectations, and strong safety and training standards to support both daily performance and long-term growth.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Colonial Heights, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $22.50 - $22.50/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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Colonial Heights, VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 7, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Colonial Heights,VA.
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.
