Job Information
Aerotek Material Handler in Petersburg, Virginia
Job Title: Material Handler
Job Description
The Material Handler supports a high-volume steel distribution operation by safely moving, loading, and unloading steel products using overhead cranes and related equipment in both indoor and outdoor environments. This role involves extensive walking, learning a color-based inventory system, and performing physically demanding tasks while maintaining strict safety standards. The position offers structured training, opportunities to advance into equipment operation roles, and participation in a performance-based incentive and share program.
Responsibilities
Train on first shift for the initial period (from several days up to approximately two weeks) to learn inventory locations, color codes for steel, and safe operating procedures.
Shadow an experienced trainer to learn all aspects of the role, including general clean-up, warehouse organization, and crane operation based on prior experience.
Walk continuously for 8–10 hour shifts, covering roughly 8 miles per day, while performing material handling tasks in both indoor and outdoor areas.
Work comfortably in an inside/outside environment with exposure to heat, cold, and other weather conditions while running indoor and outdoor overhead cranes.
Perform all housekeeping and general labor duties associated with a heavy industrial steel environment, ensuring work areas remain clean, safe, and organized.
Learn to pull steel beams accurately according to orders and eventually progress to loading flatbed trailers and railcars using appropriate rigging techniques.
Climb onto the backs of flatbed trailers and railcars with ease to rig steel beams and then safely jump down from higher surfaces using proper safety practices.
Receive incoming inventory, verify materials, and move steel products to loaders using overhead cranes and other approved equipment.
Fill out shipping reports and bills of lading accurately and document all outgoing loads to ensure proper tracking and logistics.
Work safely around flatbed trucks, railcar systems, and heavy equipment, following all safety rules and non-negotiable safety requirements at all times.
Use a color-based inventory and coding system, identifying and memorizing painted beam-end colors to locate and move materials correctly.
Operate overhead cranes and, as trained, other equipment such as saws, brakes, steel bending machines, beam saws/cutters, and forklifts in a safe and efficient manner.
Handle banding, loading, unloading trucks, and general material handling tasks in a heavy industrial or construction-like setting.
Perform physical activities such as reaching, stooping, and squatting while working with large steel products that are primarily moved by crane.
Participate in ongoing safety training and adhere to all safety protocols, including the use of required personal protective equipment.
Demonstrate the ability to work independently once fully trained, or work closely with a designated trainer when operating on an off shift.
Maintain strong attention to detail in all inventory, rigging, loading, and documentation activities to support efficient logistics and distribution operations.
Essential Skills
Heavy industrial or construction experience is required, with exposure to working around heavy equipment and large materials.
Ability to read a tape measure accurately, verified through testing or references.
Capability to learn and retain information based solely on color, using a color-coded inventory system with painted beam ends.
Clear color vision and the ability to memorize inventory locations and color codes.
Ability to walk for 8–10 hours per shift, covering approximately 8 miles per day on uneven surfaces.
Why Work Here?
This opportunity offers a strong hourly wage structure combined with a performance-based share program that rewards safety, profitability, and overall company results. The compensation model emphasizes higher guaranteed hourly pay, with quarterly share-based bonuses that can significantly increase total earnings. Team members benefit from pay increases upon becoming permanent and additional shift differential for third shift. The incentive program is designed to be more stable and predictable than in the past, giving employees greater confidence in their income while still sharing in the company’s success. The culture values internal growth, providing clear promotional paths into roles such as forklift operator or machine operator, and employees report high satisfaction with the updated pay and incentive structure.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Petersburg, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $20.00/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 Petersburg,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.