Forklift Operator

Job Title: Forklift Operator

Job Description

This role combines skilled forklift operation with inventory and order processing in a food manufacturing warehouse. You will spend approximately half of your time operating forklifts to move raw materials and finished goods, and the other half using an ERP system and manual picking processes to complete work orders, with a transition to RF scanning. You will support shipping and receiving, prepare materials for production, and help ensure products move safely and efficiently through the facility.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts and walkie forklifts safely to move raw materials and finished products throughout the warehouse.
• Spend approximately 50% of the shift operating forklifts and 50% completing ERP transactions, manual picking, and related system work.
• Follow work orders to pick and stage ingredients and materials in preparation for the next day’s production.
• Perform manual picking and systematic transactions in the ERP system, and adapt to the use of RF scanners as the facility transitions to this technology.
• Handle ingredients stored at different temperatures by entering fridges, freezers, warm rooms, and ambient areas as required.
• Lift up to 50 lbs repeatedly, including palletizing, stacking, and organizing products on pallets.
• Support shipping and receiving activities, including loading and unloading trailers and trucks.
• Move raw materials and finished products from the back warehouse to the shipping doors and designated storage locations.
• Use pallet jacks and other material handling equipment to move inventory safely and efficiently.
• Assist with warehouse inventory tasks, including counting, organizing, and tracking stock in the ERP system.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and all facility policies related to food safety, cleanliness, and hygiene.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in both warehouse and production-adjacent spaces.
• Work cautiously and attentively in tighter warehouse aisles, ensuring safe maneuvering of forklifts around people, equipment, and product.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times and comply with all safety protocols when entering freezers, fridges, and production areas.
• Collaborate with other operators and production staff to meet daily shipping, receiving, and production support targets.
• Document and report any inventory discrepancies, equipment issues, or safety concerns to the appropriate personnel.

Essential Skills

• Externally certified forklift and walkie forklift operator with 6 months to 1 year of recent experience.
• Proven experience in shipping and receiving within a warehouse or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs repeatedly throughout the shift, including during palletizing and material handling tasks.
• Comfort working in varied temperature environments, including fridges, freezers, warm rooms, and ambient warehouse areas.
• Experience with general material handling, including loading, unloading, packing, and palletizing.
• Ability to work with an ERP system to complete inventory and transaction tasks, or willingness to learn quickly.
• Attention to detail when following work orders and completing systematic transactions.
• Strong commitment to safety, especially when operating forklifts in tighter aisles and shared spaces.
• Ability to follow and maintain Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and hygiene standards in a food production environment.
• Capability to work all required shifts (days, afternoons, or nights) as scheduled.
• Ability to work in a facility that processes nuts and to safely follow all related policies.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience using RF scanners for order picking and inventory management.
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) experience within a food or manufacturing facility.
• AZ license is considered an asset.
• Experience with warehouse inventory processes, including counting and stock rotation.
• Experience in manufacturing or production support environments.
• Experience operating pallet jacks and other warehouse equipment.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks during a shift.
• Reliability and consistency in attendance and performance.

Why Work Here?

You will work in a clean, smaller-scale food manufacturing facility with a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. The environment offers a unique sensory experience, with the smell of chocolate, caramel, and nuts throughout the plant. You will join a close-knit team where operators collaborate closely and support each other’s success. The facility provides structured shifts, clear safety and GMP standards, and the opportunity to build and grow your skills in both forklift operation and warehouse systems within a stable, well-organized operation.

Work Environment

The facility produces granola bars that contain nuts, creating a clean, food-grade environment that often smells like chocolate, caramel, and nuts. Due to the nature of the products, individuals must be able to work safely in an environment where nuts are present. The warehouse is attached directly to the production floor, and typically about two operators work at a time per building. Aisles are relatively tight, requiring careful and safety-focused forklift operation. The facility generally maintains a controlled temperature, though it can become warm in the summer months. You will work in varied temperature zones, including fridges, freezers, warm rooms, and ambient areas, and must enter cold environments fully and safely covered. All GMP standards apply, and strict PPE requirements include a long-sleeved lab coat, hair net, steel toe shoes, and gloves worn throughout the shift. No jewelry or fake eyelashes are permitted on the production floor to maintain product safety. The role follows a rotating or assigned shift schedule with three primary shift options: days (7:00 . – 3:30 , afternoons (3:00 . – 11:30 , and nights (11:00 . – 7:30 .

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Markham, ON.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.89 - $20.89/hr.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Markham,ON.

À propos d'Aerotek:

Nous savons qu’il est difficile de trouver du travail, et qu’il est encore plus difficile de trouver un travail enrichissant. Chaque année, Aerotek met en contact plus de 180 000 travailleurs de l’industrie légère et de métiers spécialisés avec plus de 14 000 employeurs, aidant ainsi nos travailleurs à naviguer dans un marché du travail en constante évolution et à trouver des emplois qui correspondent à leurs objectifs, à leurs compétences et à leurs centres d’intérêt. Depuis 1983, nous offrons une variété de possibilités de carrière dans l’industrie nord-américaine, soit des affectations à court terme dans les entreprises du Fortune 500 où vous pouvez développer vos compétences, soit des possibilités à long terme où vous pouvez jouer un rôle important en relevant les défis des entreprises en matière de construction, de fabrication et d’entretien. Notre équipe de plus de 1 500 recruteurs chevronnés, répartis dans plus de 250 bureaux, travaille sans relâche pour permettre à notre main-d’œuvre de s’épanouir. Permettez-nous de nous montrer à la hauteur de vos défis et de mettre à l’épreuve notre philosophie « Notre monde nous tient à cœur » au fur et à mesure que votre carrière évolue.

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.

About Aerotek:

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

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.