Forklift Operator - Cold Storage

Job Title: Cold Storage Forklift Operator

FLSA Exemption Status: Nonexempt

Status: Hourly

Department: Cold Storage

Reports To: Fruits Quality Control & Storage Manager

**Job Summary:**The Cold Storage Forklift Operator (CSFLOP) is responsible for the safe loading, unloading, and moving of bins of apples within or near the Cold Storage work area for smooth, continuous and efficient production operation as well as organized and safe product storage.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Pulls and prepares orders by written or verbal instruction, accurately determining which apple varieties need to be loaded and shipped to either the juice room or the Sauce Plant or unloaded and stored.
• Conveys bins of apples to or from storage to loading sites in designated staging areas.
• Attaches identifying tags or labels to apple bins, as required.
• Use forklift to safely and efficiently load and unload trucks / trailers and place product in the correct area for storage to ensure that truck drivers and production are receiving accurate product in a timely manner to ensure continuous and efficient operations.
• Efficiently stack and store the product in the appropriate areas.
• Ensure inbound and outbound shipments are accurate and free of damage and report any quality issues to supervisor.
• Practice First In, First Out and other inventory rotating practices to ensure product is not wasted.
• Practice all HACCP and OSHA required safety policies, including performing pre and post operation forklift inspection safety checklists.
• Assist in the monitoring and accurate maintenance of Company inventory, including participating in daily, monthly and annual inventory and cycle counts.
• Assist with other Cold Storage duties during slow production days, as needed.
• Maintain a clean, neat and orderly work area, and assist in maintaining the security and overall cleanliness of the facility.
• Other duties, as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• External Candidates: 6 months prior experience operating a forklift, including both sit-down and stand up lifts.
• Internal Candidates: The ability to obtain a forklift certification within 30 days of placement within the Cold Storage Forklift Operator position.
• Ability to learn the difference in apple varieties and blends to ensure that trucks are loaded properly.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities change quickly.
• Willing to work as part of a team.
• Willing to work occasional overtime, as required.
• Must be willing to work outside in all weather conditions.
• At least two years of experience operating vehicles in a production or warehousing environment preferred.
• Ability to work unsupervised as well as in a team environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Prior experience operating a forklift, including both sit down and stand-up lifts.
• At least two years of experience operating vehicles in a production or warehousing environment preferred.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The CSFLOP is required to work outside. While performing the duties of this job, the teammate frequently will be required to sit and stand, as well as being exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and extreme heat and/or cold. The teammate continuously works near moving mechanical parts. The teammate will be exposed to loud noises from machinery and thus will be required to wear PPE. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be high at times due to mechanical equipment noise.

The teammate will regularly need to lift up to 75 pounds and is required to get on and off a forklift regularly.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be performed by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the teammate is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; see, talk and /or hear. The teammate will be required to lift, climb, bend, stoop and crouch.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of teammates under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.