Plant Forklift Operator

Job Summary/Objective

The Production Warehouse/Forklift Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently supporting production and warehouse operations by operating a forklift, moving and tracking finished product, and keeping production lines stocked with the necessary materials and supplies. This position ensures products are properly coded, palletized, labeled, and recorded while maintaining accurate production and warehouse documentation. The role also assists with trailer loading, palletizer operation, equipment troubleshooting, pallet organization, and maintaining a clean and safe production environment. The ideal candidate is dependable, safety-conscious, detail-oriented, and able to work independently while managing multiple production lines and priorities during 12-hour shifts.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

- Adhere to all SOPs and HACCP guidelines according to UDA standards and expectations.

- Adhere to all UDA quality, safety and GMP policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity

- Other duties as required.

- Perform daily forklift checklist.

- Keep production lines clear of new production.

- Apply pallet label to each pallet.

- Track product from all packing lines on the Daily Pallet Tracking Log.

- Record all pallet moves into the production warehouse a product putaway log.

- Assure new production is properly coded; check for legible print, correct dates, bag counts, product type.

- Assure new production is palletized satisfactorily including LPL lactose has a plastic slip sheet.

- NOTE: On the two above items, any issues need to immediately be reported to the packaging operator. If correction is not made on the first available pallet, the supervisor on duty should be notified to help rectify the problem.

- Day shift – Work with outside sanitation employees to stock the production area with pallets and bags necessary for the day and night shift.

- Keep all production lines stocked with the correct bags and supplies needed.

- Assist with pallet jams and conveyer problems on the things you are trained to do.

- Work closely with the warehouse forklift staff on product placement, trailer moves and other warehouse functions.

- Load trailers as necessary including verifying loads and filling out trailer inspection form.

- Maintain proper butter stacking as necessary, triple stack when needed putting oldest pallets on bottom of triple stack. Put slip-sheet between stacked pallets.

- Keep production warehouse swept, dump damaged bags in appropriate AF tote.

- Re-stack pallets in production as necessary

- Day shift - work with outside sanitation personnel move to trash from production to outside as needed.

- Operate and troubleshoot palletizer, using the HMI, ensuring pallets are feeding correctly and proper sequence.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Requirements

​​☒​None ​☐​ Minimal ​☐​ Moderate ​☐​ High

Qualifications:
General Skills & Abilities needed to complete job successfully:

- Must be able to work 12 hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

- Requires ability to read, hear, speak, and comprehend and carry out verbal and written instructions in English with proficiency that will allow for effective communication.

- Ability to work independently and stay on task and organized with multiple interruptions and distractions.

- Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure.

- Ability to work with multiple production lines simultaneously in an efficient manner.

- Ability to communicate clearly with a wide variety of people (i.e., Customers, Employees, Contractors) frequently.

Experience: (required)

- Must have at least one year of previous experience, preferably operating a forklift or other heavy machinery.

Education/Certifications: (if n/a is applicable please note N/A)

Required

Preferred

Education (degree/certifications)

- High School Diploma or Educational Equivalent

- Requires ability to obtain and maintain Fork truck certification under UDA specifications

Work Environment & Demands
Physical and environmental demands for this position are indicated below: (check all that are applicable)

Physical Demands:

​​☐​Sitting for limited periods of time

​​☒​Standing and walking for extended periods of time

​​☒​Occasional bending, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching and grasping

​​☒​Manual dexterity and repetitive movement of fingers and hands for keyboarding

​​☒​Ability to climb stairs

​​☒​Some lifting, up to 55 pounds

- Requires ability to sit and drive a forklift for prolonged periods of time.

- Requires ability to stoop, bend, reach, lift and carry items up to 55lbs often.

- Requires ability to push and pull items occasionally in excess of 55lbs with assistance.

- Requires ability to pull down vertically on chain multiple times during shift to open dock doors.

- Requires ability to climb on and off a forklift multiple times during shift.

- Requires ability to safely operate equipment at all times.

Requires ability to visually observe the condition of surroundings.

Environment:

​​☐​Office environment

​​☒​Production floor

​​☒​Able to work 12-hour shifts

​​☐​Other (please specify)

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Other Duties

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. This is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees will be expected to perform duties that do not appear on the job description. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.