Job Information
Aerotek Warehouse Worker in Colonial Heights, Virginia
Job Title: Warehouse Worker / Forklift Operator
Job Description
This role focuses on safely and efficiently supporting a high-volume warehouse and packaging operation through a combination of forklift operation, material handling, and general warehouse duties. You will help move, stage, and track materials to meet strict production timelines, maintain accurate inventory, and uphold high standards of safety, quality, and organization. The position requires working with warehouse management systems and RF scanners while balancing multiple tasks to keep the production floor running smoothly.
Responsibilities
Operate forklifts and other mobile equipment safely and efficiently to move, locate, relocate, stack, and count merchandise, following all safety and quality rules.
Support production areas by ensuring materials are delivered to the production floor within the two-hour lead time, consistently meeting hourly production and throughput goals.
Use warehouse management systems and RF scanners to perform order selection, order entry, order processing, picking, packing, shipping, receiving, and inventory transactions accurately.
Perform material handling by hand for approximately half of each shift, including loading, unloading, staging, and moving product without equipment.
Carry out general warehouse tasks such as walking the aisles, cleaning work areas, maintaining organization, and completing other duties as assigned to support overall operations.
Use pallet jacks (manual and electric), walkies, and other warehouse equipment to move pallets and materials in tight aisles and controlled spaces.
Conduct quality control and quality checks on products and orders, ensuring accuracy, correct labelling, and adherence to established quality standards.
Maintain accurate warehouse inventory by performing inventory control tasks, cycle counts, and verification of product locations and quantities.
Handle packaging tasks including picking, packing, labeling, and preparing orders for shipment in line with established procedures and productivity expectations.
Perform shipping and receiving activities, including verifying inbound and outbound loads, checking documentation, and ensuring correct loading and unloading of materials.
Uphold and promote safety standards at all times, including safe equipment operation, adherence to site rules, and compliance with quality and safety policies.
Understand, monitor, and maintain production metrics and performance standards, adjusting work pace and priorities to support overall system efficiency.
Manage repetitive tasks such as packing and scanning while maintaining focus, accuracy, and consistent output.
Lift and move materials up to 40 pounds unassisted as part of daily warehouse and material handling activities.
Progress through equipment assignments based on performance, learning, and operational needs, starting with manual and electric pallet riders and advancing to stand-up forklifts when appropriate.
Collaborate with supervisors and team members to receive performance feedback, participate in regular reviews, and continuously improve skills and productivity.
Maintain reliable attendance and adhere to site attendance policies so that eligibility for permanent conversion and progression is not delayed.
Essential Skills
Minimum 3 years of experience in storage processes and supporting production areas in a warehouse or distribution environment.
Minimum 3 years of forklift operation or mobile equipment operation experience, with proven ability to operate forklifts safely and efficiently.
Experience with stand-up forklifts and electric-powered equipment (not gas-powered) is strongly preferred.
Verifiable forklift experience and skills, with certifications and capabilities confirmable through professional references.
Hands-on experience using a warehouse management system to manage inventory, orders, and product flow.
Proficiency with RF scanners and RF scan guns for picking, packing, order selection, inventory control, and shipping/receiving transactions.
Demonstrated experience in order selection, order picking, and order processing in a distribution or warehouse setting.
Experience with packaging, picking, packing, warehouse packing, shipping and receiving, and warehouse shipping operations.
Ability to operate pallet jacks (manual and electric), walkies, and other material handling equipment in a warehouse environment.
Computer skills sufficient to perform basic data entry, order entry, and interaction with warehouse systems.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as packing and scanning while maintaining accuracy and productivity.
Capability to lift up to 40 pounds unassisted on a regular basis.
Proven ability to uphold safety standards and follow established quality rules and procedures.
Ability to balance multiple processes at the same time to support overall system efficiency and meet production timelines.
Consistent employment history with no significant gaps in employment over the past 1–2 years.
Order selection and RF scanning experience specifically in a distribution or warehouse environment.
Experience in loading, unloading, transportation support, heavy lifting, and general material handling.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Forklift certifications that can be verified through references are highly valued.
Experience working in climate-controlled, high-volume, or state-of-the-art warehouse facilities.
Comfort working in smaller warehouse aisles and confined equipment paths, with the ability to learn spacing and maneuvering requirements before operating equipment.
Experience in environments with defined production metrics, performance feedback, and structured progression in roles and responsibilities.
Ability to adapt to starting in an entry-level equipment role, regardless of prior experience, and progressing based on performance and learning.
Willingness to perform both equipment operation and manual tasks, including walking, cleaning, and general material handling for a significant portion of each shift.
Comfort working under a contract-to-hire structure with a minimum 90-day period before eligibility for permanent placement, depending on performance and attendance.
Openness to regular performance reviews, including weekly assessments and periodic feedback discussions.
Interest in long-term growth within a large, expanding warehouse and packaging operation, including progression to more advanced equipment such as reach trucks and stand-up lifts.
Work Environment
The role is based in a very clean, state-of-the-art facility that houses packaging operations, warehouse space, and a training center in a climate-controlled environment. Warehouse aisles are relatively narrow, around 12 feet, so new team members must learn spacing and safe maneuvering before operating equipment such as stand-up lifts and forklifts. You will initially work with manual and electric pallet riders and pallet jacks, progressing to more advanced equipment as you gain experience and demonstrate strong performance. The facility includes a locker room with lockers available upon request; personal cell phones must be stored in lockers or vehicles and are not allowed on the production floor. A canteen and breakroom with food and drink machines are available for breaks. The operation runs with high production expectations and a strict two-hour lead time on materials for the production floor, so the pace is fast and metrics-driven. Attendance is critical, and a formal attendance policy with a points system is in place, with points falling off over time. The environment supports training and development, with a focus on safety, quality, and preparing associates for future opportunities in an even larger, more equipment-intensive facility.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Colonial Heights, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $21.74 - $21.74/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Colonial Heights,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 6, 2026.
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, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.
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.