Forklift Operator

Aerotek; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Warehouse Operator to safely operate a high reach forklift in a fast-paced, frozen food facility in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The role supports shipping, receiving, and general warehouse operations while maintaining strict safety and inventory accuracy standards.

The ideal candidate will have previous high reach forklift experience, be comfortable working in freezer environments, and be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

• Experience operating reach trucks/high reach forklifts.
• Comfort working in freezer/refrigerated environments.
• Experience in warehouse, distribution or cold storage facilities.
• Experience handling food products following GMP/food safety standards.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced warehouse.

Responsibilities

• Operate a high reach forklift to transport, stack, and retrieve palletized frozen products.
• Load and unload trailers while protecting product integrity and safety standards.
• Accurately pick, stage, and move inventory per schedules.
• Record inventory transactions using RF scanners and WMS.
• Perform daily equipment inspections and report maintenance or safety concerns.
• Maintain accurate inventory counts and assist with cycle counts.

Skills

High reach forklift experience

RF scanners

Inventory accuracy

Safety conscience

Ability to lift 50 lbs

Independent worker

Tools

RF scanners

Warehouse management systems

Job description

This role is responsible for safely operating a high reach forklift to move, store, and retrieve frozen food products throughout a fast-paced warehouse and distribution environment. The position supports shipping, receiving, and general warehouse operations while maintaining strict safety, food quality, and inventory accuracy standards. The regular schedule is on 2nd shift from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with training during the first week on 1st shift from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Responsibilities

• Operate a high reach forklift to transport, stack, and retrieve palletized frozen products in high-rack storage locations.
• Load and unload trailers while protecting product integrity and following all safety standards.
• Accurately pick, stage, and move inventory in line with production and shipping schedules.
• Use RF scanners and warehouse management systems to record and track inventory transactions.
• Perform daily equipment inspections and promptly report maintenance or safety concerns to supervision.
• Maintain accurate inventory counts and assist with cycle counts as required.
• Follow all food safety, GMP, OSHA, and company policies and procedures at all times.
• Work safely in freezer and refrigerated storage areas while using required personal protective equipment.
• Keep warehouse, docks, and storage areas clean, organized, and free of hazards.
• Communicate inventory discrepancies, damaged product, equipment issues, and safety concerns to supervisors.
• Assist with receiving, shipping, and general warehouse activities as needed to support operations.
• Support team members and overall warehouse operations to meet production and customer requirements.
• Handle frozen food products in accordance with established quality standards.
• Prioritize tasks and respond effectively to changing priorities, shipping demands, and operational needs.
• Apply common sense understanding to carry out written and verbal instructions and follow warehouse procedures.
• Safely operate material handling equipment in tight warehouse spaces and high-rack locations.
• Identify product, inventory, quality, or equipment issues and take appropriate action.
• Contribute to a safe, efficient, and productive work environment through reliable attendance and strong work ethic.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support warehouse and distribution activities.
• Previous high reach forklift experience.
• Ability to operate a high reach forklift safely in narrow aisles and high-rack storage locations.
• Experience in a warehouse, distribution center, or cold storage environment preferred.
• Comfort working in freezer and refrigerated temperatures for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds when necessary.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform physical warehouse duties throughout the shift.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to workplace safety.
• Ability to maintain accurate inventory counts and follow inventory procedures.
• Capability to follow written and verbal instructions and apply common sense reasoning.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Reliable attendance and strong work ethic.
• Comfort working in and out of freezer environments throughout the shift.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience operating reach trucks in addition to high reach forklifts.
• Background working in warehouse, distribution, or cold storage facilities.
• Experience handling food products while following GMP and food safety standards.
• Strong commitment to safety, accuracy, and productivity.
• Experience using RF scanners and warehouse management systems.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills related to inventory movement and storage.
• Ability to identify product, inventory, quality, or equipment issues and elevate or resolve appropriately.
• Ability to respond effectively to changing priorities, shipping demands, and operational needs.
• Material handling and general labor experience.
• Detail-oriented mindset with strong analytical skills.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from the opportunity to transition to a direct role with the company, with potential for raises and contract buyout based on performance. The organization values reliability, strong work ethic, and safety, and offers a structured break schedule, including a 15-minute break approximately every two hours and 15 minutes. Team members work in a supportive, fast-paced environment where accuracy, productivity, and adherence to food safety standards are recognized and appreciated.

The role is based in a fast-paced frozen food manufacturing and distribution facility. Employees spend a significant portion of the shift working in and out of freezer and refrigerated storage areas while handling frozen bakery products. The position requires operating a high reach forklift in narrow aisles, high-rack storage locations, shipping docks, and warehouse staging areas. Team members stand, walk, and move throughout the shift while performing physical warehouse duties. The environment emphasizes strict adherence to food safety, GMP, OSHA, and company safety standards. A structured break schedule is provided, including a 15-minute break approximately every two hours and 15 minutes.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $19.00/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.

• 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 Wilkes-Barre,PA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer If you require an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail] . Aerotek provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Aerotek are based on merit, qualifications and abilities. Aerotek does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color and religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disabilities or any other characteristics protected by law.

Contact Information Collection We collect your phone number and email so that an Aerotek representative can reach out to you regarding potential job opportunities. Please ensure that the phone number and email you provide are accurate, as an incorrect phone number or email may affect our ability to contact you.

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.