Crating & Material Handling Operator Job

Armstrong World Industries, Inc.; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, is seeking a Crating & Material Handling Operator for 2nd shift in Libertyville, IL. You will construct wooden crates and skids, read shop drawings, and ensure packaging meets design specifications.

The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement, with routine tool checks and adherence to SOPs. Training provided; lifting up to 75 pounds with assistance and PPE supplied.

Qualifications

• Experience in carpentry or crate/skid building preferred but not required.
• Ability to read shop drawings and measurements.
• Familiarity with power tools and pneumatic tools.
• Ability to lift up to 75 lbs with assistance.
• Willingness to follow safety policies and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize safety in all tasks.
• Read and interpret shop drawings, blueprints, and production layouts.
• Build and assemble wooden crates, skids, and packaging per design requirements.
• Cut lumber to precise tolerances using saws and cutting equipment.
• Inspect assemblies for structural integrity and compliance with specs.
• Participate in 5S and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Attend required company training.
• Adhere to SOPs.

Skills

Carpentry

Shop drawings reading

Power tools

Measuring equipment

Safety awareness

Tools

Power tools

Pneumatic tools

Measuring equipment

Job description

Primary location: Libertyville, IL

Relocation offered: n/a

Employment status: Full-Time

Travel: less than 5%

Non-compete: n/a

The estimated hourly rate for this position is between $20.00 and $22.00 per hour

Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

What does it mean to work at MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.

By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of your potential. Alongside a competitive remuneration package, you will receive:

A benefits package including: medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, 401k match, long-term disability coverage, vacation and sick time, and many more.

Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.

A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration. We draw on each other's strengths and allow for different work styles to build engagement and satisfaction to deliver results.

Crating & Material Handling Operator 2nd Shift Pay $20-$22 per hour

Primary Duty

This position is for a Skilled Crating & Skid Fabrication Operator on 2nd shift responsible for constructing high-quality wooden crates, skids, and custom packaging by operating miter saws, panel saws, pneumatic nailers/staplers, knotchers, and related woodworking equipment to build oversized and custom-designed products per supplied drawings, while also performing routine material-handling duties to support overall manufacturing flow.

General Duties

• Prioritize safety in all tasks, following company policies, OSHA regulations, and established safe-work practices.
• Collaborate with and support cross-functional teams to maintain safe and efficient operations.
• Perform material-handling duties such as moving, staging, sorting, stacking, and inspecting raw materials and finished goods.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area, properly disposing of scrap materials and reporting unsafe conditions.
• Perform routine equipment checks and minor maintenance to ensure tools remain in safe operating condition.
• Document material usage, inspections, and required quality checkpoints.
• Assist with loading, securing, staging finished crates, skids, and packaged products for internal use or shipment.

Working Responsibilities

• Read and interpret shop drawings, blueprints, and production layouts with accuracy.
• Build and assemble wooden crates, skids, and specialty packaging using fasteners, braces, gussets, and reinforcements per design requirements.
• Cut lumber to precise mechanical tolerances using saws and specialty cutting equipment.
• Inspect assemblies for structural integrity, dimensional accuracy, and compliance with specifications.
• Ensure customer-focused quality standards without compromising safety or efficiency.
• Participate in 5S, continuous-improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Attend and participate in required company training.
• Adhere to all company policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Education and Experience

• Prior experience in carpentry, crate/skid building, or woodworking preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with power tools, pneumatic tools, and measuring equipment preferred.
• Ability to read shop drawings, interpret measurements, and follow structured fabrication instructions.
• Ability to learn equipment operation, material specifications, and quality requirements.

Work Environment

Plant and warehouse environment—frequent exposure to sawdust, loud machinery, and varying temperatures. Requires use of PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and steel toe/composite boots. Training provided for specialized tools and powered equipment.

Physical Demands

Regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and manual handling of lumber and tools. Frequently lift and move up to 50 pounds; occasional lifting up to 75 pounds with assistance. Ability to safely operate hand and power tools throughout the shift.

Job Level - Competency Matrix

Level 1 – Beginner

Level 2 – Intermediate

Level 3 – Advanced

• Performs basic measuring, cutting, and simple assembly tasks under direct supervision.
• Independently builds standard crates/skids from drawings with consistent accuracy.
• Expert in building complex, oversized, or specialty crates requiring advanced layout and reinforcement.
• Operates miter saws, panel saws, and pneumatic tools with supervision.
• Sets up saws, knotchers, and pneumatic equipment and performs basic troubleshooting.
• Performs advanced machine adjustments, troubleshooting, and routine preventive maintenance.
• Reads simple drawings or cut lists with guidance.
• Reads and interprets full shop drawings, including tolerances and structural requirements.
• Interprets engineering-level drawings and ensures structural integrity for heavy/oversized loads.