Forklift Operator

Job Title: Forklift Operator – Brick Yard

Job Description

This role operates sit-down forklifts in an outdoor brick yard environment to move, stage, and supply brick for blending and repackaging operations. The forklift operator ensures that production runs smoothly by safely transporting cubed brick from the storage yard, maintaining accurate usage records, and following supervisor instructions for brick types and quantities. Unlike typical warehouse forklift work, this position requires operating two-wide and four-wide forklifts in an outdoor setting and demands strong attention to detail, safety, and time management.

Responsibilities

• Operate a sit-down forklift safely and efficiently in an outdoor brick yard environment, including two-wide and four-wide forklifts.
• Load delivery trucks in a safe and timely manner, following all site safety procedures and guidelines.
• Transport cubed brick from the storage yard to designated staging areas outside the building for blending operations.
• Set brick cubes on the conveyor system to move material to brick handlers as needed for production.
• Arrange different types of brick in the proper order when multiple brick types are used for blends, ensuring correct sequencing.
• Continuously supply brick to the blending area so production can run without interruption, keeping brick stocked for the blenders.
• Follow supervision directions regarding which brick types to use and the quantities required for each repackaging or blending job.
• Maintain accurate records of the amount and type of brick used for each repackaging job, ensuring clear and complete documentation.
• Use multiple hand and foot-controlled levers to operate the forklift and related controls safely and precisely.
• Troubleshoot basic issues related to material flow, staging, or brick availability and escalate concerns to supervision when necessary.
• Apply strong attention to detail to avoid damage to product and equipment while working in a busy yard environment.
• Manage time effectively to meet daily production and loading schedules.
• Successfully complete and pass qualification testing required to operate the forklift on site.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of experience operating a sit-down forklift.
• Previous forklift operating experience in a manufacturing, yard, or similar industrial environment.
• Material handling experience, preferably in the building products industry.
• Ability to operate forklifts with multiple hand and foot-controlled levers safely and accurately.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to arrange and stage different brick types in the correct order for blends.
• Self-motivation with effective time management skills to keep production supplied and on schedule.
• Ability to maintain accurate records of material types and quantities used during repackaging jobs.
• Capability to work safely in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions.
• Ability to pass required forklift qualification testing.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a brick yard, construction materials yard, or other heavy building products environment is preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing or a similar production environment is preferred.
• Comfort working as part of a larger team that includes office staff, production employees, and other forklift operators.
• Willingness to perform a primarily sitting role while remaining alert and responsive to production needs.
• Strong communication skills to follow directions from supervision regarding brick types, quantities, and staging requirements.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers a stable, team-oriented environment with comprehensive benefits and long-term financial support. Employees receive annual performance incentives, paid time off, and paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with life, accidental death, and disability coverage. A 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions supports retirement planning. The culture values safety, reliability, and consistent production, while recognizing individual contributions through competitive pay and a robust benefits package.

Work Environment

This is a full-time role with a Monday through Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The team size ranges from approximately 50 to 60 people across office and production roles, with about 5 to 8 forklift operators working in the yard. The position is primarily a sitting job operating a forklift in an outdoor brick yard, where the operator works in all weather conditions, including rain, snow, and clear skies. The environment is industrial and production-focused, with ongoing truck loading, brick staging, and conveyor-fed blending operations. The dress code requires closed-toe leather work boots (no tennis shoes), jeans, and a T-shirt, with clothing free of offensive language. Because work is outdoors, employees should dress appropriately for the weather each day.E

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

The pay range for this position is $20.16 - $20.16/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 May 5, 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.