Material Handler (Forklift Operator) - All Shifts!

RJW Logistics Group is seeking a hands-on Material Handler (Forklift Operator) for its Joliet, Illinois facility. This on-site role is available on the 1st and 2nd shifts, four 10-hour days per week, with two start times: 5:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. The company sets clear expectations for safety, accuracy, and reliable performance, making it a solid fit for people who enjoy active warehouse work and want to contribute to an employee-owned culture. The position sits at the heart of warehouse operations. You’ll be moving goods with sit-down forklifts and walkie riders, picking product from inventory to fulfill orders, and assembling shipments so they’re ready to go. Stock will be moved to the right locations, and you’ll verify orders for completeness and accuracy as you work from warehouse operation sheets. Along the way you’ll learn the day-to-day flow of the facility, keep safety top of mind, and pitch in on other tasks as needed by the manager. The job leans into a fast-paced environment, where careful handling and efficiency help keep shipping costs down and products safe.

A day in the life on the warehouse floor

In this role you’ll handle order picking, drive sit-down forklifts and walkie riders, and piece together individual packages into ship-ready orders. You’ll relocate stock to the correct warehouse locations to maintain order and efficiency, all while upholding safety guidelines and procedure. You’ll also learn the rhythms of daily operations and be ready to support other shifts as needed, with an eye toward accuracy and timely fulfillment.

Attention to detail is essential, because you’ll verify that each customer order is complete and correct before it heads out the door. The work includes preparing shipments in the most cost-effective way and maintaining a clean, organized warehouse floor. While the core duties are clear, there’s room to take on additional responsibilities as the team grows and processes evolve.

What you need to bring to the floor

• Must-have: at least one year of forklift driving experience in a warehouse setting, using sit-down forklifts, reach trucks, and walkie rider equipment
• Must-have: a reliable attendance history and a solid record of steady work
• Must-have: a high school diploma or GED, with warehousing certifications being a plus
• Must-have: ability to read, write, and speak English well, plus basic computer skills and comfort with handheld RF devices

• Nice-to-have: background with cross docking freight processes
• Nice-to-have: pallet-building skills and the ability to break down stock to fill independent orders
• Nice-to-have: familiarity with inventory and shipping/receiving activities and PC skills beyond the basics
• Nice-to-have: strong teamwork, good communication, and the flexibility to work overtime or cover other shifts as needed

Compensation, perks and practical details

RJW offers an annual salary range of $40,000 to $46,000 for this full-time, on-site role. Shifts are 1st and 2nd, four days per week, with a 10-hour workday. The base pay is supported by a set of incentives designed to reward consistent attendance and performance, including an attendance bonus of up to $2,400, a referral bonus of up to $500 per referral, and a hiring bonus of up to $1,000. There’s also a step-increase program that raises pay by $0.50 after 90 days and again after 180 days for material handlers. Certified or qualified forklift, walkie rider, or cherry picker drivers receive an additional $0.50 per hour, and reach truck drivers earn an extra $1.00 per hour.

RJW has launched an Employee Ownership Program that offers an ownership stake, potential share appreciation, and a deeper sense of belonging and collaboration within a community of teammates all invested in the company’s mission. Shares are issued yearly based on salary, and the program costs nothing to participate while you’re employed there. In addition to the ownership opportunity, the company highlights a benefits package that covers health, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, paid holidays, time off, a retirement savings plan, and other employee programs.

The role emphasizes safety and reliability. The work is onsite in Joliet, and the company describes a work environment that may include exposure to moving mechanical parts and fumes, with noise levels ranging from quiet to moderately loud. It’s important to note that the job description reflects at-will employment, meaning either the company or the employee can end the relationship at any time, with or without cause. The employer also reserves the right to revise duties or the job description as needs arise, in line with ongoing business requirements.

Advice for applicants

Lead your resume with your forklift experience, especially the year or more you’ve spent operating sit-down forklifts, reach trucks, and walkie riders in a warehouse. Make sure your work history clearly shows reliable attendance and steady performance over time, since that’s a must-have in this role.

Use concrete examples to prove you can read, write, and speak English effectively in a work setting, and mention any handheld RF device or basic PC systems you’ve used. If you have warehousing certifications, note them, but also show how your day-to-day tasks were completed with accuracy and speed.

Prepare to discuss how you handle a fast-paced environment and how you maintain safety and quality while meeting order deadlines. Be ready with stories about verifying orders, packing and labeling shipments, and keeping clutter to a minimum in a busy warehouse floor.

When you’re asked about growth or incentives, bring up the Employee Ownership Program and the certification-based pay boosts. A smart question is to ask how eligibility for the ownership program is determined and how the annual shares are calculated based on salary, plus how the extra pay for certified operators is applied in practice.