What are the responsibilities and job description for the Warehouse Operator I position at Downeast Cider House?
Warehouse Operator I
Location: East Boston, MA or Offsite Warehouse
Schedule: Multiple Shifts Available (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Shift Options)
Status: Full-Time, Hourly | Ongoing & Pipeline Hiring
The Mission
The Warehouse Operator is an essential role on the rapidly growing team at Downeast Cider. Our warehouse team is fully responsible for the shipping, receiving, and movement of all inventory, including raw materials and finished goods.
This is an Evergreen Role: As our operations expand, we are continuously seeking driven, reliable team members across various shifts. Whether we have an immediate opening today or are building our talent pipeline for upcoming growth, we encourage you to apply and share your shift preferences!
We are looking for optimistic team members who choose positivity and "crush work," even in difficult situations.
What You’ll Do
Safely operate forklifts around coworkers and the public, adhering to strict safety regulations and standard operating procedures.
Manage inventory through accurate receiving, storage, and understanding of FIFO (First-In, First-Out) principles.
Pick and load direct wholesaler orders onto internal or external trucking company trailers.
Ensure quality and service by prioritizing "loading it right the first time" and performing accurate pallet breakdowns.
Utilize PLEX (our ERP) to streamline inventory processes and complete necessary shipping/receiving paperwork.
Collaborate and communicate with drivers, 3rd-party warehouses, and internal teams regarding timing and movement needs.
Support the broader team by performing inventory counts, light data entry, and occasionally assisting the packaging team with projects.
What You Bring to the Table
Experience: Prior experience operating a forklift and working with FIFO/load picking.
Technical Skills: Comfortable using email, Google Docs/Sheets, and basic computer functions; prior understanding of inventory systems is a plus.
Reliability: A mobile phone for communication and a track record of arriving to work as scheduled for your designated shift.
Mindset: A growth mindset with the ability to work solo without supervision, prioritize tasks effectively, and handle daily changes to the workload.
Communication: Outstanding communication skills for company chats, texts, or calls.
Attention to Detail: Precision in both operating heavy machinery and completing critical paperwork.
Don’t check all the boxes? We know there’s no such thing as a perfect candidate, so if this is a role you feel passionate about, we encourage you to apply with a one-page cover letter explaining why this post speaks to you. Drop the “to whom it may concern” and give it to us straight—why you, and which shift(s) (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) work best for you?
What We Offer
Time Off: 16 PTO days in your first year, plus paid holidays, paid sick days, and paid bereavement leave.
Family First: Paid parental leave.
Future Planning: 401(k) with 4% company match.
Health: Health & dental insurance from day one, plus company-provided short-term disability coverage.
Gear & Perks: Annual PPE stipend and a cider allowance (how big is your fridge?)
About Downeast Cider
We first started fermenting batches of cider up at Bates College in 2011. We have a few more teammates now. You can now buy our cider in tens of thousands of retailers, not just a couple of bars in central Maine. It takes us 15 minutes to make a pallet of cider, not the 12 hours it took in the early days. We’re diversifying beyond cider. But our aim remains the same:
We aspire to be an enduring company. If we create value for our customers, we create value for ourselves through fulfilling work and robust compensation. To do this requires a world-class brand and a world-class team.
We define our culture by seven principles. You can read more about those principles here.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, conducted after a conditional job offer has been made. Candidates will have the opportunity to review and respond to any findings.