Crate Builder

Job Title:

Crate Builder / Shipping and Receiving Associate Job Description This role focuses on learning and performing all activities required to prepare large industrial furnaces and related components for safe, secure shipment to customer locations. You will build custom crates and skids, optimize load configurations, and handle shipping and receiving tasks while minimizing scrap, materials, and labor. The position involves regular use of hand and power tools, forklifts, cranes, and other material-handling equipment in a clean, organized industrial environment. Responsibilities Learn and perform the preparation of furnaces and associated components for safe and secure shipment to customer locations while optimizing load configurations. Build crates, boxes, skids, and other containment structures using carpentry skills to ensure products are protected from weather and damage during transit. Use hand tools, power tools, saws, nailers, staple guns, tape measures, and related equipment to construct and secure shipping containers. Climb ladders and work at heights as needed to build and secure large crates and packaging structures. Perform shipping and receiving duties in an industrial environment, including checking incoming and outgoing shipments for accuracy and condition. Prepare, read, interpret, and process orders using standard shipping documentation such as packing lists, bills of lading, hazardous materials documentation, export papers, and other authorized paperwork. Attach labels and identifying tags to shipments to ensure accuracy and traceability. Set up, adjust, and operate applicable equipment including saws, nailers, staple guns, scales, and other tools to meet shipping requirements. Select, set up, and adjust miscellaneous hand tools and equipment appropriate for each job. Plan and lay out work by measuring, marking, or scribing dimensions and reference points on materials or workpieces for the construction of crates and other containments. Prepare products for export, ensuring compliance with export documentation and packaging requirements. Accurately inventory and document parts and products to be shipped, and maintain material control records on expendable items within the department. Verify that outbound trucks are properly tarped or otherwise protected by drivers to safeguard products from adverse weather conditions. Plan activities required to complete jobs and achieve on-time shipment of all orders. Load and unload trucks in a timely and safe manner using appropriate material-handling equipment. Perform shipping through carriers such as UPS and FedEx, including preparing packages, labels, and related documentation. Conduct inventory control activities such as cycle counts, picking from pick lists, and maintaining accurate inventory records using RF scanners where applicable. Safely operate forklifts, overhead cranes, small hoists, hand trucks, and other material-handling equipment to move materials and products. Apply proper lifting principles, including selecting and using appropriate lifting devices such as chains, clevises, and straps, and understanding their capacities and safety aspects. Use common measuring devices accurately to verify dimensions and ensure conformance of finished products and packaging to specifications. Verify proof of conformance of finished products and shipments to applicable requirements. Follow oral and written instructions accurately and consistently. Perform simple upkeep and cleaning of tools and equipment to ensure they remain in safe working condition. Store excess materials properly and in designated stock locations in a timely manner. Maintain housekeeping standards in compliance with established company policies, keeping the work area clean, organized, and safe. Work effectively with supervision and lead personnel to accomplish assigned tasks and meet production and shipping goals. Assist coworkers as required to support team objectives and maintain workflow. Strictly adhere to published ISO guidelines and procedures for quality and documentation. Strictly adhere to all published company safety guidelines and procedures, including lockout/tagout and other safety requirements. Supply and maintain personal hand tools as required by the published tool list. Essential Skills High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required. Minimum of 1 year of related experience and/or training in a similar industrial or shipping and receiving role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in shipping and receiving within an industrial work environment. Proficiency in operating forklifts and overhead cranes for material handling. Experience with inventory control, including cycle counts, pick lists, and material tracking. Ability to use hand and power tools safely and effectively, including saws, nailers, staple guns, and tape measures. Carpentry skills for building crates, boxes, and skids for large industrial products. Ability to read, interpret, and process shipping documentation such as packing lists, bills of lading (BOL), export documentation, and hazardous materials paperwork. Experience with shipping through carriers such as UPS and FedEx. Skill in labeling and tagging shipments to ensure accurate identification and traceability. Competence in loading and unloading trucks safely and efficiently. Ability to use common measuring devices accurately to verify dimensions and product conformance. Comfort working at heights and climbing ladders to build and secure large crates. Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, inventory, and shipping records. Commitment to strictly following ISO and company safety guidelines and procedures. Capability to operate material-handling equipment such as forklifts, small hoists, overhead cranes, and hand trucks safely. Ability to plan and organize work to achieve on-time shipments. Willingness and ability to supply and maintain required personal hand tools. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with RF scanners for picking, inventory control, and material tracking. Familiarity with export preparation requirements and documentation. Knowledge of hazardous materials documentation processes. Experience working in a unionized industrial environment. Ability to maintain equipment through basic cleaning and simple upkeep. Strong housekeeping habits and commitment to maintaining a clean, organized work area. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with supervisors, leads, and team members. Comfort working in a hot industrial environment, particularly during summer months. Why Work Here? You will join a well-organized, clean, and structured industrial facility that offers strong union benefits and comprehensive health, vision, dental, and retirement plans. The work environment emphasizes safety, quality, and teamwork, providing stability and long-term growth potential. You benefit from predictable first-shift hours that support work-life balance, along with the security and support that come from working in a union setting. Work Environment This role is based in a clean, organized, and well-lit industrial facility that handles large furnaces and heavy equipment. The work environment can be very hot during the summer months, so comfort working in elevated temperatures is important. The facility operates as a union workplace, providing a structured setting with established policies and procedures. The position follows a first-shift schedule, typically from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays. You will regularly use hand and power tools, saws, nailers, staple guns, tape measures, forklifts, overhead cranes, small hoists, hand trucks, and RF scanners. The role involves working at heights, climbing ladders, and handling large, heavy materials while adhering to strict safety and ISO guidelines. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cherry Valley, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $26.46 - $26.46/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 Cherry Valley,IL.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 20, 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.