Stand-Up Forklift / High-Reach Warehouse Associate

$19.00–$21.00/hr | Chicago Far Southeast Side / Hammond border area
Employer: Kelly Services
Job Type: Full-time, Temp-to-Hire Opportunity
Location: Chicago, IL 60617 area
Start: As soon as interview, screening, onboarding, and clearance are complete

From the Desk of the Recruiter

Kelly Services is hiring experienced Stand-Up Forklift / High-Reach Warehouse Associates for a fast-paced warehouse and distribution operation on Chicago’s Far Southeast Side, near the Hammond, Indiana border.

This is a strong opportunity for someone who already knows how to operate stand-up forklifts, high-reach equipment, EPJs, and warehouse systems in a busy shipping, receiving, and inventory environment.

This is not a beginner forklift role. Candidates must be comfortable completing an onsite equipment test during the interview. The role is approximately 70% forklift operation and 30% warehouse support, which may include loading, unloading, staging, scanning, inventory checks, and helping in either the dry goods or chilled building.

The chilled building may be around 30°F, while the dry building is a more standard warehouse environment. Pay may vary based on building, shift, experience, and business need.

Pay and Schedule Options

Pay: $19.00–$21.00/hr
Shift Options May Include:

Monday–Friday | 6:00 AM–2:30 PM
Monday–Friday | 12:30 PM–9:00 PM
Monday–Wednesday and Saturday | 3:30 PM–2:00 AM
Sunday–Thursday | 5:30 PM–2:00 AM

Morning shifts may pay closer to the lower end. Later shifts and chilled-building roles may pay closer to the higher end, depending on experience and placement.

What You’ll Do

Operate stand-up forklift, high-reach equipment, and/or EPJ safely
Move, stage, pick, put away, and replenish palletized product
Work in either a dry goods building or chilled warehouse environment
Assist in nearby buildings or departments when business needs require it
Use WMS systems to track inventory, shipping, receiving, and product movement
Load and unload product as assigned
Verify product, labels, counts, locations, and shipment details
Work in aisles, racks, docks, staging areas, and active warehouse traffic
Support warehouse duties off the forklift approximately 30% of the time
Complete required training and refreshers to stay current on site procedures
Communicate clearly and quickly with supervisors, leads, and team members

What the Work Is Really Like

This is a very fast-paced warehouse environment.

You should be ready for:

Direct communication and quick instructions
Busy warehouse traffic and changing priorities
Cold conditions if assigned to the chilled building
Working off the forklift when needed
Break times that may be adjusted based on business flow
Clocking in with both the worksite system and Kelly Services
Staying focused, accurate, and professional during high-volume periods

Breaks typically include one 30-minute break and two 15-minute breaks, but timing may be coordinated by the supervisor depending on the needs of the operation.

This is a strong fit for someone who communicates well, moves with urgency, follows direction, and wants a long-term opportunity with growth potential.

What We’re Looking For

Strong candidates should have:

2+ years of recent stand-up forklift or high-reach experience
Stable recent warehouse experience with limited or no major gaps preferred
Ability to pass an onsite forklift / high-reach / EPJ skills test
Experience with WMS systems, scanning, shipping, receiving, loading, unloading, or inventory tracking
Comfort working in dry or chilled warehouse environments
Ability to work in a fast-paced operation with direct instructions
Strong attendance, reliable transportation, and professional communication
Cherry picker experience is a plus
EPJ experience is a plus

This is not the best fit for someone who needs basic forklift training or has not operated recently.

Growth Opportunity

This role may lead to permanent hire after approximately 90–180 days, based on attendance, performance, safety, communication, and business need.

There may also be opportunities to move into lead-level responsibilities, with potential pay growth of up to approximately $3.00/hr more depending on role, performance, and site need.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Selected candidates must complete:

Kelly Services prescreen
Resume review
15–30 minute interview
Onsite equipment test
10-year county criminal background check
10-panel urine drug screen
THC is not tested
Kelly Services onboarding

Candidates cannot start until all required steps are completed and cleared.

How to Apply

For a faster response, text our recruiters the code “SEFL” at 847-729-2575.

Please include:

SEFL | First + Last Name | Chicago Southeast/Hammond area | Answers to the 3 questions below

3 Quick Questions

Do you have at least 2 years of recent stand-up forklift, high-reach, EPJ, or cherry picker experience?
Which shift are you open to: 6:00 AM–2:30 PM, 12:30 PM–9:00 PM, 3:30 PM–2:00 AM, or 5:30 PM–2:00 AM?
Are you comfortable with an onsite equipment test, chilled warehouse work if needed, and about 30% warehouse duties off the forklift?
 

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