Forklift Operator 3rd Shift

Job Summary

The Warehouse Forklift Operator reports to the Warehouse Supervisor within Crown Bakeries. This position is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of forklifts and other industrial equipment to support the inbound and outbound movement, storage, and organization of products within Crown Bakeries' warehouse facility. The Warehouse Forklift Operator plays a critical role in maintaining inventory accuracy, in full customer order fulfillment, on time delivery to customers, receiving activities, and upholding the highest standards of food safety, GMP compliance, and workplace safety. This role carries out all duties in alignment with Crown Bakeries' Vision, Mission, and Values.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other powered industrial equipment to move, stack, and organize products, raw materials, and packaging throughout the warehouse in compliance with all safety policies and procedures.
• Load and unload inbound and outbound trucks accurately and efficiently; verify product counts, inspect for damage, and report discrepancies to the Warehouse Supervisor.
• Transport finished goods, raw materials, and packaging between designated storage locations and production areas in accordance with established workflows and FIFO product rotation requirements.
• Maintain accurate inventory placement and product organization throughout the cold storage facility; ensure all products are properly labeled, staged, and stored in designated locations.
• Participate in daily, weekly, and monthly inventory counts and cycle counts; report inventory discrepancies or damaged product to the Warehouse Supervisor promptly.
• Assist Warehouse Coordinators with shipping and receiving activities including verifying Bills of Lading (BOLs), and product quantities against pick tickets and packing lists.
• Conduct pre-shift and post-shift forklift inspections; complete all required inspection checklists and report any equipment defects, damage, or safety concerns to the Warehouse Supervisor immediately.
• Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and safety of the warehouse floor, staging areas, loading docks, and all equipment operating areas.
• Follow all food safety, GMP, Food Defense, HACCP, and quality policies always; report any food safety or quality concerns to the Warehouse Supervisor immediately.
• Comply with all OSHA and company safety regulations including speed limits, pedestrian right-of-way, load capacity limits, and PPE requirements at all times.
• Support the warehouse team with general warehouse labor tasks as directed, including stacking, palletizing, wrapping, and labeling products.
• Communicate effectively with the Warehouse Supervisor, Warehouse leads, Coordinators, and production team members regarding product availability, shipment status, and inventory needs.
• Assist with the onboarding and training of new Warehouse Associates on forklift safety and warehouse procedures as directed by the Warehouse Supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned by the Warehouse Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILL:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid forklift certification (sit-down counterbalance, reach truck, and/or order picker) required; certification must be current or ability to obtain certification upon hire.
• 1–3 years of forklift operation experience in a cold storage, food manufacturing, or distribution warehouse environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate forklifts and powered industrial equipment safely and efficiently in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
• Basic understanding of warehouse operations including receiving, shipping, inventory control, and product rotation (FIFO).
• Knowledge of food safety standards, GMP requirements, and Food Defense policies preferred; training provided for the right candidate.
• Basic proficiency in reading and interpreting Bills of Lading, packing lists, pick tickets, and inventory documents.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks including inventory counts, product placement, and equipment inspections.
• Ability to work safely and productively in cold storage environments with temperatures around 32°F on a consistent basis.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety; demonstrated understanding of OSHA forklift regulations and safe operating practices.
• Ability to work flexible schedules including weekends, holidays, and varying shifts as operational needs require.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds; able to bend, twist, stand, climb stairs/ladders, push/pull, and walk for the duration of a shift.
• Team-oriented with strong communication skills and a willingness to assist in all areas of the warehouse as needed.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus for effective warehouse floor communication.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in an industrial cold storage warehouse environment with temperatures around 32 F. The employee is frequently exposed to facility elements such as noise, dust, fumes, and odors. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets

EEO Statement:

Crown Bakeries is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any such discrimination or harassment in our workplace and strive to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce. This EEO policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.