Forklift Operator Machine Operator Jobs in Waterloo, IA

Job Description

This role involves operating a sit-down forklift in a large, fast-paced warehouse to pick, move, and load oversized products using an RF scan gun and labeling system. You will start each day with safety and warm-up activities, then follow the daily order board to complete assigned tasks accurately and safely. The position requires consistent attention to detail, safe material handling, and collaboration with supervisors and team members.

Responsibilities

• Participate in daily safety checks and warm-up activities at the start of each shift.
• Review the daily order board to understand priorities, routes, and tasks for the day.
• Operate a sit-down forklift to pick parts and products throughout the warehouse using the labeling system and RF scan gun.
• Move oversized products, including equipment tires and animal nutrients, safely and efficiently.
• Load and unload production materials onto and from truck beds, ensuring secure and accurate placement.
• Accurately sort, label, and store picked products in designated containers or on pallets according to warehouse standards.
• Use RF scanners to track inventory movements and maintain accurate records of picked and stored items.
• Work closely with supervisors to resolve task-related concerns and clarify any issues that arise during operations.
• Handle materials manually as needed, including lifting items weighing up to 65 pounds.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, including sweeping and picking up debris when necessary.
• Follow all warehouse safety procedures and guidelines to prevent accidents and product damage.
• Support general warehouse, production, and labor tasks as needed to meet operational demands.

Essential Skills

• At least 6 months of recent forklift operating experience, preferably with sit-down forklifts.
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 65 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Basic math skills to read measurements, counts, and quantities accurately.
• Experience working in a warehouse, distribution, or production environment.
• Ability to use RF scanners and follow a labeling system for picking and storing products.
• Comfort working with oversized products such as equipment tires and bulk materials.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight product spacing.
• Strong attention to safety and adherence to warehouse procedures.
• Capability to follow written and verbal instructions and daily order boards.
• Willingness to perform physical labor, including cleaning and general warehouse tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience handling animal feed or bulk agricultural products is a plus.
• Familiarity with production, packaging, or rail trans-loading operations is advantageous.
• Comfort working in environments that can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
• Ability to adapt to different warehouse locations within the same area if needed.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Reliability and consistency in attendance and performance.

Why Work Here?

You will join a growing operation that offers clear pathways for advancement and regular opportunities to move into lead or supervisory roles, often within a year. The organization values internal promotion and rewards strong performance with increased responsibility and pay progression. With multiple locations in the same area, you can request a different site if one location is not the right fit, providing flexibility and variety in your work experience. The company emphasizes safety, teamwork, and long-term career development, creating an environment where motivated individuals can build stable and rewarding careers.

Work Environment

This position is based in a large, high-volume distribution warehouse in Cedar Falls, Iowa, supporting warehousing, packaging, and rail trans-loading operations. The facility serves a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, agricultural, industrial, automotive, e-commerce, consumer packaged goods, retail, electronics, corrugated and paper, and pharmaceutical products. The main building is a huge, fast-paced warehouse with tightly arranged product and a dusty environment due to animal feed handling. Temperatures vary with the seasons, so it can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Multiple shifts are available, including 1st shift (6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), 2nd shift (2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.), 3rd shift (10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.), and a weekend shift (Friday through Monday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Some roles may be assigned to dedicated customer sites, such as a John Deere location, including shift lead opportunities. The dress code requires steel-toed boots for safety, along with jeans or shorts (khaki, tan, or denim) and a t-shirt or long-sleeve shirt; gym shorts and sweatpants are not permitted.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Falls, IA.

The pay range for this position is $16.00 - $18.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Cedar Falls,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

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.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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 meet 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 in solving 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.