Forklift Operator – Shipping & Receiving

Kelly Services; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Services in Tacoma/Frederickson, WA is seeking a Forklift Operator with strong Shipping & Receiving and Inventory experience for our busy distribution warehouse. This role involves operating a forklift, handling shipping, receiving, order picking, inventory, loading/unloading, and keeping the warehouse organized.

You will work Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with frequent overtime and occasional Saturdays; permanent hire opportunities exist for strong performers.

Qualifications

• Forklift certification is required.
• Strong shipping and receiving experience is required.
• Inventory experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate a forklift throughout the warehouse.
• Pick customer orders using a forklift.
• Handle daily shipping and receiving responsibilities.
• Receive incoming materials and verify quantities and products.
• Prepare and stage outgoing orders for shipment.
• Load and unload trucks.
• Maintain accurate inventory records.

Skills

Forklift operation

Shipping & Receiving

Inventory management

Order picking

Job description

Forklift Operator – Shipping & Receiving

Pay: $23.00 per hour

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM

Location: Tacoma/Frederickson, WA

Job Type: Temporary with potential for permanent hire

Start Date: ASAP

Overtime: Frequent; may extend to approximately 5:00 PM

Saturdays: Occasional, based on volume

Sundays: No scheduled Sundays

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced Forklift Operator with strong Shipping & Receiving and Inventory experience to join a busy distribution warehouse in the Tacoma/Frederickson area.

This is not a forklift-only position. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience operating a forklift while also handling shipping, receiving, order picking, inventory, loading/unloading, and warehouse organization.

If you are an experienced warehouse professional who enjoys staying busy and can accurately manage materials from receiving through shipment, this could be a great opportunity.

What You'll Do

• Safely operate a forklift throughout the warehouse.

• Pick customer orders using a forklift.

• Handle daily shipping and receiving responsibilities.

• Receive incoming materials and verify quantities and products.

• Prepare and stage outgoing orders for shipment.

• Load and unload trucks.

• Move and organize materials throughout the warehouse.

• Maintain accurate inventory records.

• Perform inventory counts and help identify discrepancies.

• Verify products, quantities, and order information for accuracy.

• Stage orders and materials in designated locations.

• Complete shipping and receiving paperwork and system entries.

• Maintain an organized and safe warehouse environment.

• Follow all safety procedures and company guidelines.

• Work overtime and occasional Saturdays as business volume requires.

Requirements

• Forklift certification is required.

• Strong shipping and receiving experience is required.

• Previous inventory experience is required.

• Previous order‑picking experience preferred.

• Experience loading and unloading trucks.

• Comfortable performing inventory counts and verifying materials.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Good organizational and time‑management skills.

• Dependable attendance and punctuality.

• Ability to work in a physically active warehouse environment.

• Comfortable with frequent overtime and occasional Saturdays.

• Strong commitment to workplace safety.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate can confidently handle:

Forklift Operation + Shipping & Receiving + Inventory + Order Picking

We are looking for someone who has worked with the overall warehouse process, not someone whose experience is limited to operating a forklift.

Schedule

Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM–3:30 PM

The shift will frequently extend to approximately 5:00 PM depending on workload.

Occasional Saturdays may be required, generally for an approximately 8‑hour shift depending on volume.

No Sundays.

Dress & Safety Requirements

• Long pants required.

• Denim long pants are acceptable.

• Closed‑toe shoes required.

• Steel‑toe or composite‑toe footwear required.

• No rips or holes in clothing.

• No hoodie strings or loose items that could catch on equipment.

• Clothing must be appropriate for a warehouse environment.

Work Environment

• Clean, modern, newer facility.

• Free onsite parking.

• Conveniently located near the Center at Frederickson.

• Multiple food options nearby.

• Breakroom with complimentary coffee, cider, hot chocolate, and hot/cold water.

• Refrigerator available.

Potential for Permanent Hire

This position starts as a temporary assignment with the potential for permanent hire for strong performers.

Permanent employees may be eligible for:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Vacation and sick pay
• 401(k) benefits
• Complimentary training and classes
• Opportunities for advancement and pay increases

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

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About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI‑powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.