Utility Helper

Aerotek; Alsip (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

PTO/Leave

Job summary

Aerotek is hiring a Utility Helper in Alsip, IL to support production operations by safely handling materials, operating equipment, and keeping an organized work area. You’ll move coils/skids, assist with machine loading, and ensure accurate packaging and inventory records.

The role requires experience with forklifts, overhead cranes, and hand tools, with a focus on safety and efficiency on a first-shift schedule. Contract to hire with good performance potential.

Qualifications

• 23 years of manufacturing experience in a production or general labor environment.
• Experience operating forklifts (FL experience) in a warehouse or manufacturing setting.
• Basic computer experience, including entering data accurately into inventory or production systems.
• Hands-on experience with packaging and working on a production line.
• Machine operator or machine assistant experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to use hand tools safely and effectively, including cutters and related tools.
• Ability to read and use a tape measure with precision for accurate measurements.
• Experience with inspection of materials or finished products for quality and accuracy.
• Experience with inventory processes, including tagging, tracking, and organizing materials.
• Comfort working in a general production environment with machinery and material handling equipment.

Responsibilities

• Work safely in and around machine areas, following safety procedures.
• Pull and move coils and skids within the warehouse using equipment and safe handling practices.
• Operate an overhead crane and forklift to move, load, and stage materials.
• Band and package material according to customer specs and inventory tags.
• Generate inventory tags and attach them to products.
• Enter tag and inventory data into the computer system.
• Use precision tools to ensure measurements and cuts.
• Keep the work area clean, organized, and hazard-free.
• Cut cores for the machine operator as production requires.
• Stage supplies for orders and weigh finished skids for accuracy.
• Band and skid finished product for storage or shipment.
• Load material into machines safely for continuous production.
• Maintain a clean, safe production environment.

Skills

Forklift operation

Hand tools

Tape measure usage

Inventory data entry

Packaging line work

Safety procedures

Team collaboration

Reading inventory tags

Education

Manufacturing experience

Tools

Forklift

Overhead crane

Job description

Job Title: Utility Helper Job Description

The Utility Helper plays a key role in supporting production operations by safely handling materials, operating equipment, and maintaining an organized work area. This position involves working around machinery, moving coils and skids within the warehouse, assisting with machine loading, and ensuring products are accurately packaged, tagged, and recorded in the inventory system.

Responsibilities

• Work safely in and around machine areas, consistently following all safety procedures and protocols.
• Pull and move coils and skids within the warehouse using appropriate equipment and safe material-handling practices.
• Operate an overhead crane and forklift to move, load, and stage materials as needed.
• Band and package material according to customer specifications and material requirements, ensuring accuracy on inventory tags for orders being shipped.
• Generate inventory tags for completed material and ensure each tag is properly attached to the correct product.
• Accurately enter tag and inventory data into the computer system to maintain up-to-date records.
• Use precision when operating tools such as tape measures and cutters to ensure correct measurements and cuts.
• Keep the immediate work area clean, organized, and free of hazards throughout the day.
• Cut cores for the machine operator according to production requirements.
• Stage needed supplies and materials for orders, including preparing and moving finished skids and weighing them for accuracy.
• Band and skid finished product so it is ready for storage or shipment.
• Load material into machines in a safe and efficient manner to support continuous production.
• Clean work areas regularly to maintain a safe, organized, and efficient production environment.

Essential Skills

• 23 years of manufacturing experience in a production or general labor environment.
• Experience operating forklifts (FL experience) in a warehouse or manufacturing setting.
• Basic computer experience, including entering data accurately into inventory or production systems.
• Hands-on experience with packaging and working on a production line.
• Machine operator or machine assistant experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to use hand tools safely and effectively, including cutters and related tools.
• Ability to read and use a tape measure with precision for accurate measurements.
• Experience with inspection of materials or finished products for quality and accuracy.
• Experience with inventory processes, including tagging, tracking, and organizing materials.
• Comfort working in a general production environment with machinery and material handling equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience in steel processing or a similar industrial environment is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail when measuring, cutting, tagging, and packaging materials.
• Commitment to safety, including willingness to follow safety rules and encourage safe practices among co-workers.
• Ability to work collaboratively with machine operators and other helpers as part of a small team.
• Willingness to learn and operate additional machinery over time and grow into higher-level roles.
• Reliable work habits, including punctuality and consistent performance on a first-shift schedule.

Why Work Here?

You will join a smaller, profitable company that offers a clean, modern, and temperature-controlled facility with clearly organized work areas. Employees start in an entry-level role and gain the opportunity to learn and operate machinery, building skills and progressing into more advanced positions. The company provides opportunities for raises, insurance, and benefits, and supports ongoing training and development to help you grow in your career.

Work Environment

The role is based in a steel processing environment that can be hot at times but is notably clean, well-organized, and clearly marked for safety and efficiency. Safety is a top priority, and team members are expected to work safely and help ensure co-workers do the same. You will work closely with one machine operator and possibly one or two additional helpers as part of a small, collaborative team. This is a first-shift position, typically working 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., depending on daily production needs and orders. Steel-toe footwear is required, and additional personal protective equipment such as helmets, safety glasses, and ear plugs is provided. Long sleeves are required as part of the dress code to support a safe working environment.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.50 - $18.50/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 & 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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 29, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Alsip,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.