Crating & Material Handling Operator Job

About the role

This position is for a Skilled Crating & Skid Fabrication Operator on 2nd shift responsible for constructing high‑quality wooden crates, skids, and custom packaging by operating miter saws, panel saws, pneumatic nailers/staplers, knotchers, and related woodworking equipment to build oversized and custom‑designed products per supplied drawings, while also performing routine material‑handling duties to support overall manufacturing flow.

Working Responsibilities

• Prioritize safety in all tasks, following company policies, OSHA regulations, and established safe‑work practices.
• Collaborate with and support cross‑functional teams to maintain safe and efficient operations.
• Perform material‑handling duties such as moving, staging, sorting, stacking, and inspecting raw materials and finished goods.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard‑free work area, properly disposing of scrap materials and reporting unsafe conditions.
• Perform routine equipment checks and minor maintenance to ensure tools remain in safe operating condition.
• Document material usage, inspections, and required quality checkpoints.
• Assist with loading, securing, staging finished crates, skids, and packaged products for internal use or shipment.
• Read and interpret shop drawings, blueprints, and production layouts with accuracy.
• Build and assemble wooden crates, skids, and specialty packaging using fasteners, braces, gussets, and reinforcements per design requirements.
• Cut lumber to precise mechanical tolerances using saws and specialty cutting equipment.
• Inspect assemblies for structural integrity, dimensional accuracy, and compliance with specifications.
• Ensure customer‑focused quality standards without compromising safety or efficiency.
• Participate in 5S, continuous‑improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Attend and participate in required company training.
• Adhere to all company policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Education and Experience

• Prior experience in carpentry, crate/skid building, or woodworking preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with power tools, pneumatic tools, and measuring equipment preferred.
• Ability to read shop drawings, interpret measurements, and follow structured fabrication instructions.
• Ability to learn equipment operation, material specifications, and quality requirements.

Work Environment

Plant and warehouse environment—frequent exposure to sawdust, loud machinery, and varying temperatures. Requires use of PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and steel toe/composite boots. Training provided for specialized tools and powered equipment.

Physical Demands

Regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and manual handling of lumber and tools. Frequently lift and move up to 50 pounds; occasional lifting up to 75 pounds with assistance. Ability to safely operate hand and power tools throughout the shift.

Job Level – Competency Matrix

• Level 1 – Beginner: Performs basic measuring, cutting, and simple assembly tasks under direct supervision. Operates miter saws, panel saws, and pneumatic tools with supervision. Reads simple drawings or cut lists with guidance. Maintains clean workstation and assists with material movement. Limited task scope; simple, well-defined assignments.
• Level 2 – Intermediate: Independently builds standard crates/skids from drawings with consistent accuracy. Sets up saws, knotchers, and pneumatic equipment and performs basic troubleshooting. Reads and interprets full shop drawings, including tolerances and structural requirements. Plans efficient material usage, identifies defects, and ensures dimensional accuracy. Works with moderate supervision; handles moderately complex builds.
• Level 3 – Advanced: Expert in building complex, oversized, or specialty crates requiring advanced layout and reinforcement. Performs advanced machine adjustments, troubleshooting, and routine preventive maintenance. Interprets engineering-level drawings and ensures structural integrity for heavy/oversized loads. Optimizes build methods, solves fabrication issues, and ensures production meets quality and safety standards. Works independently; leads complex builds with significant operational impact.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, prescription drug, and life insurance
• 401k match
• Long-term disability coverage
• Vacation and sick time
• Personal development to grow your career based on your strengths and interests
• A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration

Pay

The estimated hourly rate for this position is between $20.00 and $22.00 per hour. Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors.

Schedule

2nd shift, full-time. Travel less than 5%.

Location

Primary location: Libertyville, IL. MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, is one of twelve AWI plants in North America. The Libertyville plant in northern Illinois is located 1 hour northwest of Chicago, and 1 hour south of Milwaukee, WI, and a short 7-mile drive to Lake Michigan. Libertyville offers a historic downtown shopping and dining district with nearly 100 restaurants, cafes and pubs, the Dunn Museum, the Libertyville Sports Complex, and year-round festivals, wine tastings, community bike rides, classic car shows, and other activities.