As the world grinded to a halt in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and mitigation measures aimed towards stopping the spread, headlines have revolved around displaced jobs in the service industry. While there is truth to the number of lost jobs in the service industry, the national narrative is ignoring a resurgence of high-paying jobs in the manufacturing and warehousing industry. In fact, an ‘epic US factory jobs boom is on its way’ according to Bloomberg. Jobs and opportunities do exist right now; and with the rollout of vaccines across the country, the situation has a chance to improve dramatically. Here are some of the best opportunities in the warehousing industry to keep tabs on.
The Rise of E-Commerce in the Midwest
It’s no secret that the events of 2020 have dramatically reshaped shopping habits. The rise of e-commerce shopping has taken hold in the midwest, especially in the Chicago area, which happens to be a very strategic shipping and distribution hub for the US. With the rise in e-commerce comes a plethora of new job opportunities from logistics to warehousing and distribution. Take a look at the following warehouse jobs and reach out to our team with any questions!
What are the Best Warehouse Jobs in the Midwest?
- Forklift Operator: Forklift operators are responsible for using industrial trucks and forklifts to load and unload materials. Their main duty is to move supplies effectively and safely using specialized equipment. Because operating a forklift requires certification and technical training, it is typically a well-paying job. Forklift operators need to have attention to detail, valid certifications, and good time management skills to be qualified.
- Shipping and Receiving: The warehouse shipping/receiving clerk performs a variety of important tasks, such as verifying and keeping records on any incoming and outgoing shipments and assembling and preparing orders for shipment. Other duties include: unpacking and examining incoming shipments, rejecting damaged items, and communicating with vendors to rectify damages and errors.
- Warehouse Packer: Another word for warehouse packers is “pickers”. They are in charge of getting packages ready for shipment from the storage warehouse. The warehouse picker job comes into play after an order has been placed by a customer to make a purchase. After an order has been received, the picker takes a look at the invoice and retrieves the items from the inventory. Next they typically check that the items are in good condition, wrap them securely, and pack them for shipping. Packers are also responsible for updating the inventory to reflect items removed and weigh packages. Warehouse packing jobs typically require physical strength and stamina to lift and pack heavy boxes and items.
- Machine Operator: Machine operators are usually specialized to work on a variety of machines in a warehouse. Experienced machine operators usually make a good salary and have many skills including excellent physical stamina and good technical skills. The job requires employees to be knowledgeable on operating their machines safely and maintenance to make sure things operate safely. Machine operators are natural problem solvers who can troubleshoot to ensure operations run accurately and on time.
Find the Best Midwestern Warehouse Jobs ASAP
Let Summit Staffing help match you with your next warehouse job in Illinois, Indiana or Wisconsin for a prosperous future! We specialize in the light industrial market, so whether you are looking for general labor, forklift, machine operating or more, we’ll work one-on-one with our associates to make sure we have the right fit.
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