Crating Lead

Job Title: Crating Lead Job Description

The Crating Lead oversees a small team on first shift to safely construct and assemble wooden crates and pallets for industrial materials, ensuring all work meets established standards, documentation requirements, and customer delivery timelines. This role combines hands-on crating and packaging work with team leadership, inventory reconciliation, onsite logistics coordination, and adherence to company processes and safety guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee 3 to 5 crating personnel on first shift, assigning tasks and ensuring work is performed safely and in accordance with established procedures.

• Coordinate daily floor operations for warehouse and crating departments, including onsite logistics material management and crate rebuilding/assembly services for industrial crating projects.

• Work closely and professionally with all departments to ensure customer delivery needs are met and hand off communication to respective managers as needed.

• Construct wooden crates and pallets in accordance with company standards and guidelines using hand tools, power tools, and material handling equipment.

• Inspect, measure, and design packaging that complies with company standards, completing all required documentation for each project.

• Utilize hand tools, power tools, and measuring tools to assemble crates and pallets for materials received, following specific requirements for each order.

• Drive and operate lift trucks and overhead cranes after training and recertification, and use other material handling equipment as required.

• Follow all site safety rules, regulations, and procedures, and comply with all guidelines outlined in the employee handbook.

• Ensure compliance with department process workflows and ISPM15 standards, including supporting and maintaining a log book for lumber usage for auditing purposes.

• Instruct, train, and direct personnel to perform duties according to company policy, including training new builders when directed.

• Ensure team members complete all required documentation accurately and on time, and maintain accurate documentation of all work performed.

• Communicate company objectives clearly to personnel and provide a confident, positive point of contact for all members of each project.

• Identify, research, and reconcile inventory discrepancies and support auditing visits pertaining to industrial crating.

• Assess projects proactively before arriving at job sites, review building plans from crate building software (such as BoxCAD and Crate Pro), and communicate or escalate concerns or needs to the supervisor.

• Perform all established building tasks required to construct wooden crates according to BoxCAD/Crate Pro production plans.

• Manage and lead onsite teams at customer locations, escalating and communicating any issues to the respective department manager.

• Support industrial packaging by traveling to offsite locations to repair, rebuild, and build crates as dictated by customer requirements, including projects outside the U.S.

• Provide accurate follow-up information to supervision based on accomplishments or issues encountered, and meet all required deadlines, including accurate reporting and dashboard communications.

• Complete all required periodic reporting, such as SQDC Board updates and housekeeping reports.

• Ensure building security at closing by confirming all access points and outside storage areas are secured and locked prior to arming the security system.

• Perform routine and minor maintenance on equipment and resolve basic warehouse equipment issues or initiate maintenance requests as needed.

• Maintain a clean and orderly work environment in all areas utilized by the department and support housekeeping standards.

• Be flexible and willing to work in any area of the operation as directed by the supervisor or department manager.

• Work nonstandard hours, including off-shift work and weekends when required, and be willing to travel on short notice to support business requirements.

• Attend and qualify for all classes and courses provided by HR to maintain required knowledge and certifications.

• Perform other related duties as directed by the Manager to support the overall needs of the business.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude with experience in general labor, production, and assembly environments.

• Hands-on experience using basic hand tools, power tools, and measuring tools to assemble crates, pallets, or similar structures.

• Ability to read and accurately use measuring tapes and other measuring devices.

• Experience with crate assembly, construction, carpentry, mechanical assembly, installation, and warehouse operations.

• Ability to operate or be trained to operate forklifts, lift trucks, overhead cranes, and other material handling equipment.

• Strong attention to detail to ensure accurate measurements, documentation, and compliance with packaging standards.

• Ability to read, understand, and interpret drafting documents such as blueprints and mechanical drawings.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to comprehend and follow verbal and written instructions.

• Ability to perform basic math problems needed for measurements, quantities, and inventory reconciliation.

• Ability to organize, direct, and manage multiple tasks efficiently while meeting deadlines.

• Capability to provide oversight and management of a small team, including assigning work and ensuring adherence to processes.

• Ability to work confidently alone or as part of a mobile team with colleagues and customers.

• Willingness to work nonstandard hours, including off-shift work and weekends, and to travel on short or limited notice, including abroad.

• Ability to stand for the duration of the shift in a non-climate-controlled facility and work in varying temperature conditions.

• Commitment to follow all company safety rules, regulations, and guidelines in the employee handbook.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge of company safety rules, regulations, and employee handbook policies.

• Experience in inventory management, shipping and receiving, and warehouse operations.

• Ability to operate ERP systems and use Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word effectively.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for reporting, communication, and documentation.

• Ability to learn and become a functional expert in proprietary crate-building software, including BoxCAD and Crate Pro.

• Experience supporting auditing visits related to industrial crating and packaging operations.

• Ability to support and maintain lumber usage log books for compliance with ISPM15 standards and auditing requirements.

• Capability to resolve basic warehouse equipment issues and initiate maintenance requests when necessary.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to complete tasks in a timely manner and meet customer and leadership deadlines.

• Ability to represent the organization in a professional and positive manner at all times, including at customer sites.

• Willingness to be flexible and work in any area of the operation as dictated by supervisors or department managers.

• Successful completion of HR-provided classes and courses as required for the role.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with an employee wellness program that supports long-term health and well-being. The organization emphasizes customer service, innovation, and continuous improvement, offering opportunities to grow skills through training on specialized equipment, proprietary software, and diverse industrial packaging projects, including international assignments. Team members can earn performance-based pay increases after review periods, and work within a global network that values collaboration, professional development, and high-quality solutions to complex supply chain challenges.

Work Environment

This position is based in a non-climate-controlled distribution center that supports industrial energy operations, including a receiving dock that can be cold in winter and hot in summer. The role requires the ability to stand for the duration of the shift and work safely around active warehouse equipment such as forklifts, lift trucks, overhead cranes, and various saws and power tools, including upcut saws, chain saws, plywood saws, chop saws, reciprocating saws, band saws, and drills. Work is primarily on first shift but may include off-shift hours and weekends as business needs require. The environment is hands-on, industrial, and fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on safety, housekeeping, and adherence to operational procedures.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Charlotte, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.50 - $23.50/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2026.

About Aerotek

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.