Forklift Operator

Job Title: Forklift Operator
Job Description

This role supports a busy food manufacturing facility by ensuring production lines are consistently supplied with materials and finished goods are efficiently moved into refrigerated and frozen storage. You will operate forklifts and pallet-moving equipment to stage ingredients, handle partial skids, prepare outgoing pallets, and manage inventory in coolers and freezers. The position combines forklift operation with general warehouse and shipping preparation tasks in a fast-paced, temperature-controlled environment.

Responsibilities

• Supply the production floor with materials, ingredients, flour, and partial skids to prevent any pauses in production lines.
• Receive finished goods from the packaging department and move them to designated cooler or freezer locations.
• Support external shipping and receiving activities when required, including assisting the team during busy periods and learning additional tasks as needed.
• Operate sit-down forklifts, rider pallet jacks, walkies, and power pallet jacks (Crown) safely and efficiently.
• Prepare pallets for loading by building, stacking, shrink wrapping, and staging them for shipment or storage.
• Manage inventory in multiple refrigerators and freezers, ensuring products are stored correctly and rotated as needed.
• Perform general labour tasks in the warehouse and production support areas as assigned.
• Adapt to varying daily workloads, spending different proportions of time on forklift operation and shipping preparation depending on operational needs.
• Work overtime on Saturdays and Sundays when required to support production and warehouse operations.
• Follow all safety procedures and food-handling guidelines, including maintaining a clean and organized work area.
• Operate equipment carefully within a small, tight warehouse space, maintaining awareness of surroundings and other workers.
• Comply with all facility rules related to personal protective equipment and dress code in a food manufacturing environment.

Essential Skills

• Valid sit-down counterbalance (SDCB) forklift certification, with power pallet jack (walkie) certification for classes 1, 4, and 5; in-house certification may be acceptable.
• Minimum 1 year of experience working in a warehouse within a manufacturing facility.
• Minimum 1 year of experience operating an SDCB forklift in a production environment.
• Experience working in food production or a food manufacturing setting.
• Experience operating rider pallet jacks and 5-tonne material handling equipment.
• Ability to lift 40–50 lbs on a regular basis.
• Comfort with working overtime on Saturdays and Sundays when required.
• Ability to work safely and confidently in a fast-paced environment with constantly running machinery and conveyors.
• Strong attention to safety and detail when operating forklifts and pallet-moving equipment in tight spaces.
• Reliability and punctuality for early-morning shifts.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and adhere to food safety and facility procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in the warehouse of a food manufacturing facility.
• Rider pallet jack ticket (class 2).
• Stand-up reach truck operating experience.
• Experience with electric forklifts.
• 2+ years of overall warehouse or material handling experience.
• Comfort working in refrigerated environments around 8–10 degrees Celsius.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a close-knit warehouse and production support team.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a supportive, family-oriented culture that values internal promotion and long-term growth. Once permanent, team members enjoy a Sunday shift premium, seasonal events such as summer barbecues and holiday dinners, and a comprehensive benefits package. The benefits program includes life insurance and AD&D, prescription drug coverage, extended health care with a wide range of paramedical services, vision care, and dental coverage, plus survivor benefits extending health, vision, and dental coverage for dependants. An Employee Assistance Plan provides counselling by phone, online, and in person, as well as coaching services and online resources to support life, health, and career needs. A Group RRSP with employer matching and immediate vesting helps employees build financial security for the future.

Work Environment

This position is based in a food manufacturing facility with many conveyors and machines running continuously, creating a fast-paced and highly active work setting. The warehouse is small and tight, requiring careful and confident forklift operation in close quarters. The temperature typically ranges from 8–10 degrees Celsius, with regular work in coolers and freezers. The standard schedule is Monday to Friday, 5:00 . to 1:30 ., with an unpaid 30-minute break, and overtime shifts may be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays. Some individuals may find the location less accessible by public transit. The facility enforces strict food safety and personal safety standards, including a dress code that requires steel-toe work boots and prohibits jewelry, nail polish, fake eyelashes, and similar items due to food-handling requirements. The site operates as a no-nut facility to protect individuals with allergies.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Richmond, BC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $24.00/hr.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond,BC.

À propos d'Aerotek

Aerotek Inc. fournit des solutions de dotation en personnel et de services dans les domaines de la fabrication, de la logistique, de la construction, de l’aviation, des installations et de la maintenance. Nous offrons l’expertise, les solutions et les personnes nécessaires pour relever les défis de l’industrie nord-américaine. Basée à Hanover, au Maryland, Aerotek exploite un réseau unifié de plus de 200 bureaux à travers l’Amérique du Nord, soutenant plus de 18 000 clients chaque année. Aerotek est une entreprise du groupe Allegis, leader mondial en ressources humaines et solutions d’affaires. Pour en savoir plus, visitez: | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offre un salaire hebdomadaire, des avantages sociaux y compris des soins médicaux, des soins dentaires et des soins de la vue, ainsi qu’un programme d’aide aux employés et un programme de rabais.

La société souscrit au principe d’égalité d’accès à l’emploi et examinera toutes les candidatures sans tenir compte de la race, du sexe, de l’âge, de la couleur, de la religion, de l’origine nationale, du statut de vétéran, de handicap, de l’orientation sexuelle, de l’identité de genre, de l’information génétique ou de toute autre caractéristique protégée par la loi.

Ordonnance sur l’égalité des chances de San Francisco:
Conformément à l’Ordonnance sur l’égalité des chances de San Francisco, pour tous les postes situés dans la ville et le comté de San Francisco, nous examinerons les candidatures des personnes qualifiées ayant un casier judiciaire ou des antécédents criminels.

Utilisation de l’intelligence artificielle (IA):
Nous pouvons utiliser l’intelligence artificielle (IA) pour soutenir certaines étapes de notre processus d’embauche, notamment la recherche, la présélection et l’évaluation des candidatures. L’IA aide à analyser les candidatures et les qualifications, mais les décisions finales sont prises par notre équipe de recrutement. En soumettant votre candidature, vous reconnaissez et acceptez que celle-ci puisse être examinée à l’aide d’outils d’IA.

About Aerotek

Aerotek Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, employee assistance and discount programs.

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.

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.

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.