Cross Dock LTL Operator – Night Shift

Company: Randstad Canada (on behalf of a leading transportation client)

Location: Southeast Calgary, AB

Pay: $22.00 – $23.00 per hour

Employment Type: Long-term Contractor (Stable)

Clean Professional Job Summary

Randstad Canada is seeking an experienced and autonomous Cross Dock Operator to manage night shift logistics for a premier transportation company in SE Calgary. This role is designed for a forklift professional who thrives in a “quiet autonomy” environment, taking full ownership of the dock during the critical 12:00 AM to 8:30 AM window. You will be responsible for the rapid movement of Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight, ensuring that trailers are loaded with precision for morning departures. With a focus on safety, weight distribution, and inventory accuracy, you will act as the anchor for the facility’s overnight operations.

Key Responsibilities

Freight Movement: Expertly operate a Sit-Down Counterbalance forklift to transfer LTL freight across the dock in a high-velocity environment.
Trailer Loading/Unloading: Execute precise loading of various trailer types, with a strict focus on maintaining balanced weight distribution and securing cargo.
Operational Autonomy: Work independently to prioritize shipments based on scheduled departure times and dock flow.
Digital Tracking: Use handheld RF scanners to track freight movements, ensuring 100% inventory accuracy within the warehouse management system.
Quality Control: Inspect all incoming and outgoing freight for damage, documenting and reporting discrepancies before loading.
Safety & Maintenance: Maintain a clear, organized dock floor to prevent hazards and facilitate a seamless transition for the incoming morning crew.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Certification: Must possess a Valid Forklift Ticket/Certification (Counterbalance).
Experience: 1–2 years of dedicated experience operating a Sit-Down Counterbalance forklift in an industrial setting.
Sector Knowledge: Previous experience handling LTL (Less Than Truckload) freight is considered a major asset.
Schedule Flexibility: Must be available for initial afternoon training sessions before transitioning to the permanent Sunday–Thursday night shift (12 AM – 8:30 AM).
Safety Gear: Possession of CSA-approved steel-toed boots and high-visibility safety gear is mandatory.

About the Company: Randstad Canada

Randstad is Canada’s largest staffing and HR services provider, specializing in connecting skilled industrial workers with the country’s top logistics firms. The client for this role is a major player in the Canadian transportation sector, known for high-volume cross-dock operations. This facility in SE Calgary is a critical node in their Western Canadian network. Randstad provides contractors with consistent weekly pay and a transparent path to long-term stability within their growing transportation portfolio.

Market & Industry Context: Cross-Docking in 2026

In 2026, Calgary’s “Industrial Southeast” remains the logistics heart of the Prairies. The LTL (Less Than Truckload) sector is currently experiencing a shift toward “Just-in-Time” delivery, making the Cross Dock Operator a pivotal figure in the supply chain.

Unlike traditional warehousing, cross-docking eliminates long-term storage, meaning freight rarely touches the floor for more than a few hours. This requires operators who understand Load Sequencing—the art of loading trailers in the reverse order of their delivery stops. In the 2026 Calgary market, night shift premiums and stable LTL roles are highly sought after by professionals who prefer avoiding peak-hour traffic and value the independence of graveyard shifts.

Career Growth & Progression Path

Lead Hand / Dock Supervisor: Advance into a leadership role overseeing the entire night shift crew and managing dock productivity metrics.
Logistics Coordinator: Transition from the forklift to the office, utilizing your knowledge of trailer loading and shipping lanes to coordinate regional dispatch.
Safety Trainer: Become a certified in-house forklift instructor, leading safety audits and training new hires on LTL best practices.
Operations Manager: Oversee the full facility lifecycle, from inbound scheduling to outbound logistics and vendor management.

Interview Preparation Insights

The “LTL” Test: Be prepared to explain how you handle freight of varying shapes, sizes, and weights. How do you ensure a trailer isn’t “top-heavy” or “tail-heavy”?
Autonomous Decision Making: You will be asked for an example of a time you had to prioritize multiple urgent shipments without a supervisor present.
Safety under Pressure: Discuss your approach to maintaining speed without compromising safety protocols, especially during the “pre-dawn” rush before trailers depart.
Technical Accuracy: Expect questions about your experience with RF scanners and digital inventory systems.

Estimated Salary & Shift Details

Rate: $22.00 – $23.00 per hour.
Shift: Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 AM – 8:30 AM.
Training: Comprehensive afternoon training is provided to ensure you are familiar with the specific dock layout and scanning systems.

Work Environment & Location Insights

Location: Southeast Calgary (High accessibility via Stoney Trail and Deerfoot).
Culture: Fast-paced, dynamic, and impact-driven. The night shift is smaller, offering a more focused and quiet work atmosphere compared to the daytime rush.
Diversity Statistics: The Canadian transportation and warehousing sector is a cornerstone of diverse employment. As of 2026, approximately 38% of the workforce in this sector identifies as a member of a visible minority group, and Randstad actively works to maintain inclusive hiring practices that reflect this demographic strength.

Short Compliance & Equal Opportunity Note

Randstad Canada is committed to an inclusive and accessible workplace. We implement proactive strategies to increase the representation of women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. Accommodations are available upon request for all stages of the recruitment process by contacting accessibility@randstad.ca.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	Randstad
Location	Southeast (SE) Calgary, AB
Hourly Rate	CA $22.00 – CA$ 23.00
Shift Schedule	12:00 AM – 8:30 AM, Sunday to Thursday
Employment Type	Full-time, Long-term Contract
Experience Req.	1–2 Years on Sit-Down Counterbalance forklift
Training	Mandatory afternoon training provided initially
Requirements	Valid Forklift Ticket, CSA boots, high-vis gear

Critical Responsibilities: “Owning the Night”

This is a high-autonomy role designed for a professional who can manage a busy dock independently while the city sleeps.

LTL Load Balancing: Safely loading and unloading Less Than Truckload (LTL) trailers, specifically ensuring weight is distributed correctly for transport.
Independent Prioritization: Deciding which freight moves first based on strictly scheduled departure times.
Inventory Integrity: Using handheld scanning devices to ensure 100% tracking accuracy for all inbound and outbound goods.
Damage Control: Inspecting and reporting freight damage before it reaches the customer.
Dock Flow: Preparing the workspace for the incoming morning crew to ensure a seamless shift transition.

2026 Calgary Logistics & Workforce Demographics

The Southeast Calgary industrial corridor is a critical hub for Western Canadian logistics. Based on the most recent 2024–2026 labor data:

Market Diversity: In Calgary, approximately 39% of the general population identifies as a member of a visible minority (racialized group). Within the transportation and warehousing sector, racialized persons represent roughly 19.5% to 25.9% of the workforce.
Employment Outlook: The Calgary Economic Region (CER) added over 31,200 jobs in late 2025. While youth unemployment remains a challenge at 16.5%, experienced trades and logistics roles like forklift operation are seeing “Moderate” to “High” demand.
Wage Benchmarking: The rate of $22–$23/hour is competitive for the Calgary SE market in 2026. For comparison, general warehouse labor typically starts at $20/hour, whereas specialized material handlers can reach up to $29/hour depending on the complexity of the cargo (e.g., hazardous materials or heavy oversized loads).

Application Insider Tips

Autonomy is Key: Because this is a night role with minimal supervision, your resume should highlight “independent decision-making” and “reliability.”
The “LTL” Advantage: If you have worked with Less Than Truckload freight before, emphasize it. LTL involves more complex puzzle-solving for trailer space than “Full Truckload” (FTL) shipping.
Training Period: Note that you must be available for afternoon training before you can switch to the midnight start time.

To apply for this job please visit www.randstad.com.