Material Handler

Aerotek; Huntley (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Material Handler in Huntley, IL for a contract-to-hire role. You will operate forklifts, move materials, read work orders, and support production with accurate handling and packaging.

This position requires lifting about 50 pounds, adherence to safety procedures, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. The role emphasizes strong attention to detail, reliable transportation, and good attendance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of forklift operator experience.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.
• Ability to lift and move 50 pounds or more.
• Must wear PPE and follow safety procedures.
• Reliable transportation and good attendance.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts safely and efficiently to move, load, and unload materials.
• Read, interpret, and complete work orders accurately to ensure correct materials, quantities, and destinations.
• Handle materials manually, including lifting, pushing, and pulling items weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Perform inspection, packing, picking, and packaging tasks to support production and shipping operations.
• Support production activities by feeding materials to machines, assisting with machine operation, and ensuring materials are staged correctly.
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail when measuring, counting, and verifying materials and finished goods.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear required PPE at all times.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and free of hazards to support a safe and efficient workplace.
• Communicate clearly with team members, supervisors, and other departments to coordinate material flow and resolve issues.
• Manage time effectively to meet production schedules and respond quickly to changing priorities.
• Work on your feet for most of the shift, performing continuous bending, lifting, and climbing.

Skills

Forklift operation

Read work orders

Attention to detail

Basic math

Communication

Attendance

Reliable transportation

Physical stamina

PPE compliance

Time management

Independence

Overtime flexibility

Job description

Job Title: Material Handler

Job Description

This Material Handler role supports a fast-paced production environment by safely operating forklifts, handling materials, and following detailed work orders. You will perform manual labor that includes lifting, pushing, and pulling materials, while maintaining strong safety awareness and high attention to detail. The position requires consistent attendance, reliable transportation, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts safely and efficiently to move, load, and unload materials throughout the facility.
• Read, interpret, and complete work orders accurately to ensure correct materials, quantities, and destinations.
• Handle materials manually, including lifting, pushing, and pulling items weighing 50 pounds or more using hands, pallet jacks, forklifts, or other equipment.
• Perform inspection, packing, picking, and packaging tasks to support production and shipping operations.
• Support production activities by feeding materials to machines, assisting with machine operation, and ensuring materials are staged correctly.
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail when measuring, counting, and verifying materials and finished goods.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and free of hazards to support a safe and efficient workplace.
• Communicate clearly with team members, supervisors, and other departments to coordinate material flow and resolve issues.
• Manage time effectively to meet production schedules and respond quickly to changing priorities.
• Work on your feet for most of the shift, performing continuous bending, lifting, climbing, and other physical tasks.
• Adapt to new tasks and processes by cross-training and applying new skills to daily work.
• Work overtime or alternate shifts as needed to support production demands, including incremental and Saturday overtime.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 1 year of forklift operator experience.
• Proven ability to read and understand work orders.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.
• Knowledge of basic math and measurement skills.
• Strong communication skills with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Good attendance with a record of being regularly at work and on time.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality and safety.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull an average of 50 pounds or more by hand or with a manual pallet jack, forklift, or other equipment.
• Ability to be on your feet for the majority of the day, performing continuous bending, lifting, and climbing.
• Demonstrated safety awareness and ability to follow all safety procedures.
• Essential time management skills and the ability to think quickly and make accurate decisions.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and stay self-motivated.
• Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Willingness and ability to work overtime or alternate shifts as necessary.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• General mechanical aptitude to support material handling and basic machine-related tasks.
• Experience with inspection, material handling, forklift operation, packing, picking, packaging, production, and machine operation.
• Ability to read and write work orders and related documentation clearly and accurately.
• Capability to learn on the job and apply new knowledge and skills to improve performance.
• Ability to motivate yourself and maintain productivity without constant supervision.
• Comfort working in a physically demanding role with continuous bending, lifting, and climbing.
• Interest in cross-training and learning new skills in a thermoforming and production environment.

Why Work Here?

This facility serves as a key center for custom thermoforming, offering extensive opportunities to cross train and build new skills across multiple production lines, including specialized work for medical customers. The organization supports long-term career growth with structured training, tuition reimbursement, and a culture that values safety, reliability, and continuous improvement. Employees benefit from a comprehensive rewards package that includes paid holidays, paid vacation, and paid sick time, as well as company-paid long-term and short-term disability, basic life insurance, and an employee assistance program. Additional financial and lifestyle benefits include tuition reimbursement, an employee referral bonus program, an annual discretionary bonus program based on company performance, and a workboot allowance program. A wide range of health and wellness options are available, including medical plan options with HSA or FSA, dental and vision coverage, and an FSA dependent care option. Employees can further tailor their coverage with optional supplemental life, AD&D, accident, and critical illness insurance for themselves and eligible dependents. Retirement planning is supported through a 401(k) plan with a company match, helping you build long-term financial security while working in a stable and well-organized production environment.

Work Environment

The work environment is a very clean, well-organized production facility with 18 thermoforming lines split between the north and south sides of the building, including a dedicated area for medical customers. You will work primarily on the second shift from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with incremental and Saturday overtime as needed. The role is physically demanding and requires being on your feet for most of the day, with frequent bending, lifting, climbing, and handling of materials weighing 50 pounds or more. You will regularly use forklifts, manual pallet jacks, and other material handling and production equipment. The facility emphasizes safety and requires the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times. The environment is fast-paced yet structured, with clear processes, strong safety standards, and opportunities to collaborate with production teams and supervisors across different areas of the plant.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $23.00/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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable 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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Huntley,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.

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.

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.