Overview

Forklift operators are responsible for the movement of all received pallets through the facility, owning correct FEFO/FIFO as they manage organization of storage and proper rotation. They handle the loading of finished goods, transfers, and donations pallets on outbound trailers; keeping meticulous load diagrams. The operators perform all tasks and duties in a safe, timely, and organized manner in accordance with SOPs and Home Chef's commitment to safety first, quality always.

Responsibilities

Receiving:

• Ensure inbound trailers have been safely secured per safety guidelines prior to unloading.
• Unload pallets and stage in designated areas on dock for receiving and QA inspection.
• Palletize all mixed products onto separate pallets to assist with accuracy of inspection and receipt.
• Upon completion of receipt, scan pallets and ensure they have both QA sticker and Receiving License Plate and that the License Plate is fully completed. Haul those tagged pallets to correct storage location. 
• If there are older pallets of like product in elevated storage locations, the operator must rotate that down into selection position and place the newly received pallet in elevated storage location as close to the selection bin as possible. This helps with inventory counting and item rotation for future shifts.
• Keep the dock clear of debris by cleaning up while working. This precludes safety risks and food safety concerns.
• Keep pallets and receiving tools organized on the dock.

Production Support:

• Verify all products being issued to production teams against drop list, production sheet, or boxing call out to preclude introducing the wrong product into assembly or portioning.
• Keep production drop zones stocked per guidelines communicated by lead/supervisor.
• Keep drop zones clean, organized, and free of debris or broken pallets.
• Ensure all pallets being returned to locations are not mixed and all boxes are taped and labeled per our food safety requirements. 

Shipping:

• Ensure outbound trailer has been safely secured per safety guidelines and inspecting for debris, holes, pests, or temperature deviations prior to loading.
• Identify pallets to be loaded from the applicable staging area.
• Load pallets and complete load diagram accurately.
• Seal truck and turn load diagram in to lead/supervisor for driver pick up.
• Remove the safety device once paperwork is turned in so the driver can hook up to the designated trailer upon arrival.
•  Keep the dock clear of debris by cleaning up while working. This precludes safety risks and food safety concerns.
• Keep pallets and shipping tools organized on the dock.

Organize Warehouse:

• Keep the warehouse organized by ensuring all products go back to the proper location after use.
• Keep like items grouped together for easier location of product. No mixed pallets in storage or pick bays.
• Uses the forklift to pull down existing pallets in higher elevations to put the newest product in those selective racked or drive in locations PRIOR to placing newly received product in those storage locations if that is the equipment used at the facility based on height and depth of racking to accomplish this to standard. 
• Proactively ensures that older products are rotated down to floor selection/pick positions for quick retrieval by warehouse associates or inventory to supply production in an expedient manner using a forklift if that is the equipment used at the facility based on height and depth of racking to accomplish this to standard. 
• Proactively keeps the selection/pick positions replenished to minimize downtime for warehouse associates to fulfill production requests.
• Remove broken pallets or empty pallets from selection bins as applicable.
• Sort broken pallets from usable ones. Stacking all usable pallets in quantity of 10-15 and wrapping in designated color. All bad pallets are wrapped in red or designated color and placed on a pallet trailer or designated area until removed from the facility. All good stacks of pallets will be placed in the racks together for ease of counting.
• Assist with preparing all products on pallets for hold, donations, resale, or returning to the vendor. This includes stacking, wrapping, tagging, and hauling to designated areas for disposition.

 Support other Warehouse functions: 

• We are one team. Team members are expected to assist with completing any function needed for our company to deliver finished goods to the customer. This includes using all other equipment certified on, performing all warehouse tasks, or assisting other departments to get the job done for the day. Team Homechef!

General Responsibilities:

• Follow all safety procedures throughout execution of all tasks. This includes, but is not limited to, performing pre-shift equipment checks for all equipment used and wearing required PPE. Safety first!
• Follow the facility GMPs and help enforce them throughout the facility.
• Sign for all equipment needed to perform your duties. Ensure these are signed back in upon completion of shift. 
• Support the efforts of the company to maintain our food safety system (SQF) and quality programs. Quality always! Forklift operators own the proper organization of all goods in the warehouse. They are expected to be versed on all warehouse SOPS regarding this.
• Be respectful of others. Team members are expected to carry themselves in a professional manner in all situations and at all times.

Qualifications

• Previous experience using standup counterbalance forklift preferred.
• General high school degree, or equivalent, (e.g. GED)