Shipping & Crating Specialist

PFI; Algona (IA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

PFI in Algona, IA seeks a Shipping & Crating Specialist to build crates, secure equipment, and protect machinery during transport. You will operate forklifts and overhead cranes, track shipments, and assist assembly and stockroom tasks as needed.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED, basic carpentry and tool use, and willingness to cross-train. Safety gear such as steel-toe footwear is expected on site.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• Basic carpentry and measuring skills; comfortable with hand and power tools.
• Forklift and overhead crane familiarity or ability to learn.
• Willingness to cross-train in assembly or inventory roles.

Responsibilities

• BuildCustom crates: measure, cut, and construct heavy-duty crates, skids, and pallets.
• Secure equipment: brace and strap heavy machinery inside crates for transport.
• Protect machinery: wrap equipment to prevent rust, dust, moisture damage.
• Operate power tools: use pneumatic nail guns, circular/miter saws, drills, band saws.
• Assist assembly: help with basic mechanical assembly or tool handling as needed.
• Support stockroom: receive, organize materials, pull parts, maintain inventory accuracy.
• Operate forklifts and cranes: move machines into crates and load shipments.
• Track shipments: scan and log projects into the shipping schedule.

Skills

Basic carpentry

Measuring skills

Hand tools

Power tools

Forklift operation

Overhead crane operation

Cross-training

Inventory awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Pneumatic nail guns

Circular saws

Miter saws

Drills

Band saws

Job description

Job Title: Shipping & Crating Specialist

Reports To: Production Manager

Division: PFI

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Full-time)

• Build Custom Crates:Measure, cut, and construct heavy-duty wooden crates, skids, and pallets tailored to fit specific machinery.
• Secure Equipment:Position, block, and brace heavy equipment inside the crates using straps and foam to prevent any movement during shipping.
• Protect Machinery:Wrap and pack equipment using protective barriers to prevent rust, dust, and moisture damage during transport.
• Operate Power Tools:Safely use pneumatic nail guns, circular saws, miter saws, drills, and band saws to process lumber and plywood.
• Assist Assembly Operations:Help the assembly team with basic mechanical assembly, testing, or tool handling when crating production is caught up.
• Support Stockroom Operations:Assist with receiving, organizing materials, pulling parts for projects, and maintaining inventory accuracy in the stockroom.
• Operate Forklifts & Cranes:Safely use forklifts and overhead hoists to move heavy machinery into crates and load completed shipments onto trucks.
• Track Shipments:Use a barcode system and paperwork to scan, track, and log completed projects into the shipping schedule.
• Maintain Workspace:Keep the woodshop, packing areas, and shared workspaces clean, organized, and free of safety hazards.

Requirements

• Skills:Basic carpentry skills, comfortable using standard hand and power tools, and strong measuring skills.
• Flexibility:Willingness to cross-train and assist in assembly or inventory control environments as required.
• Abilities:Safely operate (or learn to operate) forklifts and overhead cranes.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, hear, talk, lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with a hoist or lift available, repetitively use right and left foot to control, repetitively use right and left hand for firm/heavy grasping, and repetitively use right/left hand for fine dexterity. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and repetitively use right and left hand for simple/light grasping. The employee is regularly required to use hand to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Specific hearing abilities required by this job include the ability to hear customers, alarms of equipment, and to hear instructions from others.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or a general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Training, Certifications, Licenses

Fork truck Licenses required. (Will certify on location.)

Protective Equipment

Steel toe shoes, safety glasses and seatbelt when driving are mandatory.