Forklift Operator(Contract)|Charleston

Local Job Overview: Charleston

Key Information

• Pay: $23-$28/Hour (approx. $54.1k/Year)
• Based in: Charleston, SC (a central Charleston location)
• Flexible contract/gig opportunity in Charleston.
• Benefits: Benefits may be available based on employment type.
• Flexible Role in Charleston: Forklift Operator
• Status: New Charleston listing (actively interviewing).
• Employer: ALDI (Hiring in Charleston)
• Apply your your professional skills skills at our Charleston location.
• This Charleston-based role is an excellent opportunity for professionals skilled in relevant skills.
• Our ALDI team in Charleston, SC is growing.
• Benefit from working in Charleston, a key hub for the Grocery Distribution And Logistics industry.

About ALDI

ALDI is one of America's fastest-growing grocery retailers, operating more than 2,300 stores across 39 states and supporting that store network through a system of large-scale regional distribution centers. Founded in Germany in 1946 and first opened in the United States in 1976, ALDI built its entire business around a simple idea: run a lean, efficient operation and pass the savings directly to the customer. That same efficiency-first philosophy defines how our distribution centers operate — smaller, more capable teams; real cross-training instead of narrow, repetitive tasks; heavy investment in modern material handling and voice-directed technology; and wages built to attract and retain the strongest warehouse talent in every region we serve. ALDI's distribution network moves millions of cases of product every week, and every associate, operator, technician, and leader inside that network plays a direct role in keeping store shelves stocked for the millions of customers who shop with us.

Our Warehouse Team & Culture

Because ALDI runs a lean staffing model at every level of the business, warehouse team members are trusted with real responsibility from day one rather than being confined to a single narrow task for years. Safety, accuracy, and pace are treated as equally important — we invest in modern equipment, structured training, and a genuinely team-based floor culture where associates, operators, technicians, and leaders work side by side rather than in silos. ALDI also promotes heavily from within: a large share of our warehouse supervisors and distribution center managers started their ALDI careers on the warehouse floor.

What Our Team Says (Employee Reviews)

"The certification pay bump on top of the base warehouse wage made this the best-paying forklift job I found in the area, and ALDI paid for my recertification without me having to ask." - Current Forklift Operator, Naperville, IL.

Role Overview

As an ALDI Forklift Operator, you operate powered industrial equipment - including stand-up reach trucks, sit-down counterbalance forklifts, and electric pallet jacks - to move palletized product throughout the distribution center, from receiving into storage and from storage out to the shipping dock.

Key Responsibilities

• Pallet Transfer & Put-Away: Move inbound pallets from the receiving dock into assigned storage rack locations using warehouse management system slotting instructions, scanning each pallet and location to confirm accurate placement.
• Pick Zone Replenishment: Monitor pick zone inventory levels throughout the shift and replenish low or empty slots from bulk storage before selectors run short, prioritizing fast-moving items flagged on the replenishment report.
• Multi-Equipment Operation: Operate multiple classes of powered industrial trucks as assigned by the shift's operational needs, transitioning between reach trucks, counterbalance forklifts, and pallet jacks as tasks require.
• Pre-Shift Equipment Inspection: Complete a documented pre-shift inspection of assigned equipment - brakes, forks, mast, tires, and safety features - before operating, and immediately report any defect rather than continuing to run a flagged unit.
• Safety Compliance: Operate within posted speed limits, load capacity ratings, and right-of-way rules at all times, and follow all OSHA powered industrial truck safety standards in pedestrian-heavy areas.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid powered industrial truck (forklift) certification preferred; ALDI provides certification training for candidates who do not yet hold one.
• Prior forklift or reach truck operating experience preferred but not required.
• Good depth perception, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination for precise equipment handling in tight aisles and dock spaces.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while operating equipment, and to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Comfort operating equipment in temperature-controlled zones, including cooler and freezer sections, as assigned.
• Strong safety mindset and ability to follow documented equipment inspection and operating procedures.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This role involves operating powered industrial equipment for the majority of the shift within a high-traffic warehouse environment shared with pedestrians and other equipment. Operators must remain alert to right-of-way rules and posted safety zones at all times. Some routes include cooler or freezer-temperature areas, and appropriate cold-weather gear is provided.

Compensation & Benefits

ALDI Forklift Operators earn a strong hourly wage that includes a certification pay differential above standard warehouse pay, along with paid time off, a 401(k) with company match, and full medical, dental, and vision benefits. ALDI also covers the cost of forklift certification training and renewal for current operators.