Shipping & Crating Specialist

PFI Conveyors; Algona (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

PFI Conveyors in Algona, IA, seeks a Shipping & Crating Specialist to build custom crates for heavy machinery, secure equipment, and protect items for transport. You will use forklifts and overhead cranes, operate a range of power tools, and assist assembly or inventory tasks as needed.

The role requires basic carpentry, measuring skills, and safety-conscious work. A high school diploma or GED is required, with on-site training for forklift licenses and equipment handling.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, related training preferred.
• Basic carpentry, measuring, and safety with standard tools.
• Willingness to cross-train in assembly or inventory roles.

Responsibilities

• Build and assemble heavy-duty crates, skids, and pallets to fit machinery.
• Secure equipment inside crates with straps and foam; brace for transport.
• Wrap, pack, and protect machinery against rust, dust, and moisture.
• Operate pneumatic nail guns, circular, miter saws, drills and band saws.
• Assist assembly and stockroom tasks when crating is caught up.
• Track shipments with barcode system and paperwork in shipping schedule.
• Maintain clean, safe workspaces in woodshop and packing areas.

Skills

Carpentry basics

Measuring skills

Hand & power tools

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift operation

Overhead crane

Power tools

Job description

Job Title: Shipping & Crating Specialist

Reports To: Production Manager

Division: PFI

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Full-time)

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• 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.