Skilled Warehouse Associate (Stand-Up Operator)

$19.25–$21.25/hr+ | Shorewood/ Elwood area, IL
Employer: Kelly Services
Job Type: Full-time, Temp-to-Hire
Regular Shift: Monday–Friday | 12:00 PM–8:30 PM
First Day: Friday | 10:00 AM reporting/orientation
Hire-On Opportunity: Typically reviewed after approximately 90–120 days
Start: As soon as selected and cleared

From the Desk of the Recruiter

I want to be clear so the right forklift operator applies.

Kelly Services is hiring for a skilled warehouse position inside a busy building-products distribution operation. This site handles palletized construction-related materials and supplies, so product movement, staging, organization, accuracy, and safety matter every day.

This is not a forklift-only position. You will spend a meaningful portion of the shift off the forklift — approximately 40% of the role — helping with material handling, shipping/receiving organization, cleanup, staging, and lifting items up to 50 lbs as needed.

We need someone who already knows how to operate a stand-up forklift / reach-style truck safely and confidently. Training will be limited, so the right person should be able to step in, ask smart questions when needed, stay productive, and keep a steady, professional attitude while priorities change.

This is a temp-to-hire opportunity. Strong performance, safe equipment operation, dependable attendance, and a good team attitude can put you in a strong position for hire-on.

If you’re still reading and this sounds like the type of warehouse work you do well, let’s get into the details.

Job Details

Pay: $19.25–$21.25/hr+ based on experience
Location: Shorewood/ Elwood area, IL
Regular Schedule: Monday–Friday | 12:00 PM–8:30 PM
First Day: Friday | 10:00 AM reporting/orientation
Position Type: Temp-to-hire through Kelly Services
Hire-On Window: Typically reviewed after approximately 90–120 days, based on attendance, safety, performance, and business need
Overtime: May be required based on warehouse needs
Equipment: Stand-up forklift / reach-style equipment
PPE: Steel-toed boots required

What You’ll Do

Operate a stand-up forklift / reach-style truck to move, stage, put away, and retrieve palletized product
Work safely around racking, staging lanes, dock areas, warehouse traffic, and other associates
Support shipping and receiving flow by helping organize incoming and outgoing product
Spend approximately 40% of the role off equipment supporting hands-on warehouse needs
Lift, move, organize, and stage materials weighing up to 50 lbs as needed
Help keep aisles, staging areas, and warehouse workspaces clean and organized
Follow product-location, safety, and equipment procedures carefully
Ask questions before making an unfamiliar or unsafe move
Maintain steady productivity while protecting product, equipment, and the people around you

What I’m Looking For

1.5–2+ years of recent stand-up forklift / reach-truck experience strongly preferred
Stable recent warehouse work history; candidates should be prepared to explain any major gaps or job changes
Must already be comfortable operating stand-up equipment with limited ramp-up time
Able to explain the type of equipment used and the rack heights or warehouse setting you have worked in
Comfortable completing a forklift skills review
Experience in distribution, shipping/receiving, put-away, order pulling, staging, pallet movement, or warehouse support is a strong fit
Comfortable doing physical warehouse work off the forklift, including lifting up to 50 lbs
Strong safety habits, attention to detail, and steady communication
Positive, team-minded attitude and willingness to assist where the warehouse needs support

Why This Role Stands Out

$19.25–$21.25/hr+ based on experience
Weekly pay through Kelly Services
Monday–Friday afternoon shift
Opportunity to be considered for hire-on after proving attendance, safety, and performance
Good fit for a skilled operator who also understands full warehouse flow — not just equipment operation
Active distribution setting where dependable, safe workers are noticed quickly

What to Be Ready For

This role is for someone who understands that a strong forklift operator still helps the warehouse succeed off the equipment.

You should be ready to:

Spend part of the day operating a stand-up forklift and part of the day handling warehouse support work
Lift and move materials up to 50 lbs when needed
Work safely and accurately in a busy distribution setting
Keep a good attitude when duties change during the shift
Communicate immediately if you are unsure about a move, load, product location, or safety concern
Meet productivity expectations without cutting safety corners

This is not the right fit for someone who needs full forklift training, only wants to sit on equipment all shift, or is not comfortable with strict attendance and safety expectations.

Attendance Expectations

The first 30 days are extremely important.

You must be able to report on time every scheduled day during your first 30 days
Missed shifts or tardiness during the first 30 days may result in the assignment ending
You should arrive ready to work before the scheduled start time
If an emergency may make you late, notice must be provided at least 1 hour before the shift
Planned time off must be disclosed at least 2 days in advance whenever possible
Contact after your scheduled start time may be treated as a no-call/no-show under site policy

Attendance, communication, safety, and productivity are all part of earning the opportunity to stay long term.

Safety, PPE and Work Rules

Steel-toed boots required
Follow all warehouse safety and powered-equipment procedures
Wear safe work clothing with no loose or dangling items around equipment
No jewelry or unsafe accessories while operating equipment or handling materials
A forklift skills review may be required before placement
Unsafe equipment operation, preventable accidents, or serious safety violations may result in the assignment ending

Pre-Employment Requirements

Brief phone prescreen with Kelly Services
Possible face-to-face interview and/or forklift skills review
Required background screening and onboarding
10-panel urine drug screen, including THC, per site policy

How to Apply

This opening is intended for experienced stand-up forklift operators who can meet the schedule, attendance, safety, and physical requirements.

If you can honestly meet the expectations below, text our recruiters the code “PSZZ” at 847-729-2575.

3 Quick Questions

Do you have 1.5–2+ years of recent stand-up forklift / reach-truck experience, and what type of racking or lift-height environment have you worked in?
Can you work Monday–Friday, 12:00 PM–8:30 PM in the Wilmington area, report at 10:00 AM on your first Friday, and maintain clean attendance during your first 30 days?
Are you comfortable completing a forklift skills review, wearing steel toes, completing a 10-panel urine drug screen including THC, and spending approximately 40% of the role off the forklift supporting physical warehouse work?

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