Forklift Operator And Machine Operator

Job Title: Loader Operator

Job Description

This role operates balers and related equipment in a high-volume warehouse and production environment, ensuring safe, efficient processing of paper, cardboard, and other materials. The position focuses on equipment operation, material handling, documentation, and basic preventive maintenance to support continuous and compliant production.

Responsibilities

• Perform thorough pre-start equipment inspections on loaders, balers, and related machinery, and accurately document findings using VCR and inspection reports.
• Feed paper from the tipping pad to the baler conveyor and manage all aspects of baler loading to maintain steady and efficient material flow.
• Operate balers in strict accordance with manufacturer specifications, including MacPress, Enterprise, Bollegraff, and IPS equipment.
• Load balers using a front-end loader, skid steer, or forklift as required, maintaining safe operation and proper material placement.
• Monitor the paper feed line during operation and regularly check wire condition and wire feed to ensure safe and reliable baler performance.
• Inspect finished bales for mill readiness, confirming proper wiring, structural integrity, and target weight before storage or shipment.
• Record paper grades and waste percentages for material dumped from compactors, maintaining accurate production and quality records.
• Document baler downtime and maintenance activities to support troubleshooting, repair planning, and continuous improvement.
• Assist with daily, weekly, and monthly preventive maintenance on balers and feed conveyors, following established procedures and safety guidelines.
• Operate shredders safely and comply with all NAID document destruction requirements during shredding operations.
• Communicate paper grades, quality concerns, and rejected bales to the Material Handler to ensure proper storage and inventory management.
• Perform general warehouse and production tasks such as loading, de-boxing, material handling, and inventory-related activities as needed.
• Use RF scanners and other warehouse tools to track materials, document movements, and support accurate inventory control.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience operating a forklift, skid steer, or other heavy machinery in a warehouse or production environment.
• Ability to safely operate front-end loaders, skid steers, and forklifts to load balers and move materials.
• Experience in general production or warehouse work, including loading, material handling, and general labor tasks.
• Capability to follow equipment manufacturer specifications for operating balers such as MacPress, Enterprise, Bollegraff, and IPS.
• Comfort working around shredders and other heavy machinery while following strict safety and document destruction procedures.
• Ability to complete and maintain accurate inspection reports, downtime logs, and production documentation.
• Strong attention to detail when inspecting bales for proper wiring, target weight, and mill readiness.
• Willingness and physical ability to work in a dirty, dusty, and non-temperature-controlled warehouse environment.
• Reliable communication skills to coordinate with Material Handlers and other team members regarding paper grades and rejected bales.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with cardboard, paper, and similar recyclable materials in a production or distribution setting.
• general production tasks such as de-boxing, sorting, and staging materials.
• Familiarity with inventory processes and the use of RF scanners for tracking and recording material movements.
• Experience performing or assisting with preventive maintenance on balers, conveyors, or similar industrial equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow NAID document destruction requirements and other operational procedures.
• Strong work ethic, dependability, and willingness to work overtime during busy periods.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers clear opportunities for advancement, allowing you to grow your skills and move into higher-responsibility roles over time. You can expect competitive compensation and access to great benefits once you transition to a direct role. The team values reliability, safety, and continuous improvement, creating an environment where your contributions are recognized and your development is supported.

Work Environment

The role is based in an older warehouse and production facility that reflects the conditions outside, becoming hot in the summer and cold in the winter, as production areas are not temperature controlled. Forklifts are heated and cooled, but the main production floor remains at ambient temperature. The environment is dirty and dusty due to the paper, cardboard, and related materials handled on site. The position operates on 2nd shift, Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with overtime on Saturdays and Sundays during busy spring periods. Hard hats are required at all times on the production floor, and individuals with long hair must keep it tied up under the hard hat or tucked into their shirt. You will regularly work around balers, shredders, conveyors, forklifts, and other heavy equipment in an active, industrial setting

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Moines, IA.

The pay range for this position is $23.76 - $23.76/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Des Moines,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 27, 2026.

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.