Forklift Operator

Job Description

Operate forklift and coordinate cross-department packaging and shipping to meet production schedules

Forklift Operator

This role focuses on safely operating a forklift to move, stage, and organize materials throughout a small warehouse while supporting a variety of general warehouse, kitting, shipping, and light assembly tasks. You will contribute across multiple departments, helping ensure efficient material flow, accurate order preparation, and a clean, safe, and organized work area.

Responsibilities

  • Operate a sit-down forklift to move, stage, and organize materials throughout the warehouse safely and efficiently.
  • Support general warehouse operations including kitting and order preparation to ensure accurate and timely fulfillment.
  • Palletize finished products in a neat and secure manner for storage or shipment.
  • Assist with shipping and receiving activities, including loading and unloading materials and products.
  • Perform light assembly and production work as needed to support overall workflow and customer orders.
  • Cut and quell cables to specified lengths and prepare them for packaging according to instructions and quality standards.
  • Perform basic electrical assembly tasks in the electrical assembly department as required.
  • Use hand tools and tape measures to complete assembly and warehouse tasks accurately and to specification.
  • Assist with warehouse inventory activities, including picking, packing, and material handling.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment by following housekeeping and safety practices.
  • Work across different departments, including shipping/receiving, quelling, and electrical assembly, based on operational needs.
  • Collaborate with team members and follow direction from employees to meet production and shipping schedules.

Essential Skills

  • At least 1 year of forklift operating experience, preferably with sit-down forklifts.
  • Proficiency in material handling, including loading, unloading, staging, and moving products safely.
  • Experience working in a warehouse environment with tasks such as picking, kitting, packing, and palletizing.
  • Ability to use hand tools safely and effectively for assembly and production tasks.
  • Ability to read and use tape measures accurately to ensure precise cuts and assemblies.
  • Basic math skills to support measuring, counting, and inventory-related tasks.
  • Willingness and ability to work in multiple departments, including shipping/receiving, quelling, and electrical assembly.
  • Reliability and strong work ethic, including openness to occasional Saturday work when needed.
  • Commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work area.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

  • Assembly experience, including light mechanical or electrical assembly, is a plus.
  • Experience with pallet jacks and other warehouse equipment is beneficial.
  • Comfort working in a small production team environment.
  • Flexibility to assist with various tasks across the warehouse as operational needs change.
  • Strong attention to detail to ensure accurate cutting, kitting, and order preparation.

Why Work Here?

You will join a company that combines a global outlook with a strong local presence, continuously expanding its reach and capabilities within the wind industry. The organization emphasizes an agile and cost-efficient supply chain, delivering high standards of service and quality at competitive levels. You will work in a culture where values are lived daily, and where passion, consistent effort, and customer focus are recognized as key drivers of success. Employees are viewed as the most important asset, and there is a strong commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining talent. You will have the opportunity to contribute to industry-leading lighting products and solutions for wind turbines while being part of a dedicated team that consistently adds value for customers.

Work Environment

The role is based in a small warehouse environment divided into departments such as shipping/receiving, quelling, and electrical assembly, with a close-knit production team of approximately eight people. You will use equipment such as sit-down forklifts, pallet jacks, hand tools, and tape measures while handling materials, cables, and assembled components. The standard schedule is a first-shift role, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional Saturday work available on an optional basis. The environment emphasizes safety, organization, and cross-department collaboration, and you will be expected to support all departments as needed while maintaining a clean and orderly workspace.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of DES MOINES, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $17.00 – $22.00/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 DES MOINES, IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 29, 2026.

Operate a sit-down forklift to move, stage, and organize materials safely and efficiently, Support general warehouse operations including kitting and order preparation to ensure accurate and timely fulfillment, Paletlize finished products for storage or shipment, Assist with shipping and receiving, including loading and unloading materials and products, Perform light assembly and production tasks as needed to support workflow and customer orders