Loader Operator

Aerotek; Clinton (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance (voluntary)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

PTO / Vacation or Sick Leave

Job summary

Aerotek is hiring a Loader Operator for a busy Clinton, IL metal fabrication shop. You will support production by loading/unloading sheet metal, preparing orders, and assisting in trim and bundling tasks. The role emphasizes safety, accuracy, and teamwork on a fast-paced floor.

Typical duties include palletizing with banding, measuring to specification, and moving materials between production areas. The job offers steady shifts, on-site work, and potential for growth with cross-training

Qualifications

• Experience in metal fabrication or willingness to learn the trade.
• Ability to read a tape measure and confirm dimensions.
• Basic math to verify quantities and order details.
• Ability to perform visual quality checks for defects.
• Safety-conscious with reliable attendance and shift flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload sheet metal, roofing, siding, and trim materials.
• Move raw materials and finished goods to designated areas.
• Palletize orders with banding and straps for transport.
• Secure products on pallets and in trucks during loading.
• Bundle sheet metal for loading onto trucks.
• Operate trim department machinery to form trim components.
• Load sheet metal into trim machines safely and efficiently.
• Measure dimensions and verify against specs.
• Perform visual quality checks and confirm quantities.
• Lift and handle sheet metal weighing 50–60 lbs routinely.
• Assist in preparing frames and components for building projects.
• Follow safety procedures and maintain a clean work area.
• Collaborate across shifts to meet production and shipping schedules.

Skills

Tape measure reading

Basic math

Quality inspection

Problem solving

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Shift flexibility

Tools

Banding gun

Hand tools

Palletizing equipment

Material handling equipment

Job description

Job Title: Loader Operator

Job Description

This role is based in a busy metal fabrication shop that produces metal roofing, siding, and trim for large buildings. As a loader operator, you support the production process by handling raw materials, loading and unloading sheet metal products, and preparing finished orders for shipment. You work closely with departments such as trim, bundling, and purlin to ensure accurate, safe, and efficient movement and packaging of materials throughout the facility.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload sheet metal, roofing, siding, and trim materials for production and shipping.
• Bring in raw materials and move finished products to designated areas within the facility.
• Use a banding gun to palletize orders and secure products for transport.
• Apply straps to attach and secure products on pallets and in trucks.
• Bundle sheet metal products to prepare them for loading onto trucks.
• Operate machinery in the trim department to form metal trim components for buildings.
• Load sheet metal into trim machines safely and efficiently.
• Use a tape measure to verify dimensions and ensure products meet specifications.
• Perform visual quality checks to identify defects and ensure products meet standards.
• Use basic math skills to confirm measurements and quantities for orders.
• Lift and handle sheet metal products weighing approximately 5060 pounds on a regular basis, particularly in the purlin area.
• Assist in preparing frames and structural components for building projects as needed.
• Perform general production, assembly, and packaging tasks in a manufacturing environment.
• Follow all safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized work area.
• Collaborate with team members across first and second shifts to meet production and shipping schedules.
• Adapt to different tasks such as bundler, trim operator, skid builder, loader, and general labor based on daily operational needs.

Essential Skills

• Experience working in a manufacturing or metal fabrication environment, or strong interest in learning these skills.
• Ability to accurately read and use a tape measure for measuring sheet metal and trim components.
• Basic math skills to confirm measurements, quantities, and order details.
• Ability to perform visual quality inspections to identify defects or inaccuracies.
• Problem-solving skills to address issues in production, loading, or packaging processes.
• Physical ability to work on your feet throughout the shift in a fast-paced environment.
• Capability to regularly lift and handle sheet metal products weighing 5060 pounds.
• Comfort using hand tools and equipment such as banding guns and straps for palletizing and securing products.
• Willingness to work in a non-temperature-controlled metal fabrication shop.
• Commitment to following safety procedures and working safely around machinery and heavy materials.
• Reliability in adhering to scheduled shift hours and occasional Saturday work when required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with sheet metal fabrication, including cutting, bending, and handling metal products.
• Experience in construction, general labor, or loader/unloader roles.
• Familiarity with machine operation and machine operating in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience with packaging, palletizing, and preparing orders for shipment.
• Exposure to overhead cranes or supervisory experience in metal fabrication (preferred but not required).
• Ability to work in a general production or assembly environment with changing daily tasks.
• Willingness to cross-train in roles such as bundler, trim operator, skid builder, and general production.
• Openness to entry-level training for candidates new to metal fabrication or manufacturing.

Why Work Here?

This is a family-owned operation that values long-term growth, hands-on training, and a supportive team environment. You have the opportunity to start in an entry-level role and build your skills in metal fabrication, machine operation, and material handling. The company offers clear earning potential, with the ability to increase your pay over time as you gain experience and proficiency. You work in a setting where hard work is recognized, safety is prioritized, and there is room to grow into more advanced responsibilities.

Work Environment

The role is based in a metal fabrication shop that produces roofing, siding, and trim for large buildings. The facility is not temperature controlled, so you work in varying seasonal conditions. You spend most of your shift on your feet, moving between production areas such as trim, purlin, bundling, and loading. The environment includes machinery for cutting, bending, and forming sheet metal, as well as hand tools, banding guns, and material handling equipment. You work Monday through Friday on either first shift (6:00 AM2:30 PM) or second shift (3:00 PM11:30 PM), with occasional work on Saturdays as needed. The atmosphere is that of a busy manufacturing floor, with a focus on safety, teamwork, and efficient production, and dress is practical for industrial work with appropriate safety gear.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Clinton, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.65 - $19.65/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 & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Clinton, IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Clinton, IL.

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.