Work Order Processing Clerk - 1st shift

Nichols Farms is one of the top processors of pistachios in the United States. For more than two decades, Nichols Farms has maintained superior quality and exceptional service in supplying pistachio and almond products to major retail and wholesale clients domestically and internationally. Nichols Farms maintains a state-of-the-art processing facility at their corporate headquarters in Hanford, California, employing over 350 employees. Join the Nichols Farms Team in their objective of continued growth. Nichols Farms possesses a strong employee-oriented environment dedicated to training and growth of team members.

The Nichols Farms Mission and Vision supports a culture of striving for mutual success of our employees, suppliers and customers through operational excellence and educational development.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for working with multiple departments to resolve any variances within inventory, ensuring that all work orders and transactions are accurate. Support the supervisor with managing work orders. This position will require multitasking and making last-minute changes to accommodate product SKUs.

Safety Ability: Promote a "safety first" culture by following all safety rules (including Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Fall Protection and Hazard Communication).

Quality Ability: Perform all duties in accordance with Quality and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) established company policies and procedures.

Continuous Improvement: Responsible for active participation in continuous improvement teams and processes. Support and participate in Continuous Improvement teams and lean initiatives to improve our throughput of product.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and ensure all Nichols Pistachio safety standards, policies and practices are followed.
• Follow all GMP procedures and plant programs.
• Understand and be involved in the process of work orders for each machine.
• Develop strong and effective communication with the Lead Clerk.
• Ensure team collaboration to close and cost all work orders.
• Solves problems with variances and ingredients from Processing, Roasting and RTE 8.
• Apply FIFO when creating bin reports for processing areas.
• Ensure WIP (Work in Process) and Finished Goods are getting tagged correctly.
• Create or modify work orders to accommodate products or machines.
• Close and cost work orders when balanced and file them.
• Work with production teams to resolve variances in work orders and inventory.
• Report any inventory discrepancies to the Inventory Department for a proper resolution.
• Monitor and follow daily schedules for all departments. If any questions arise, work with the Scheduling team to resolve the issue.
• Research duplicate bins and work with team members to correct the bin numbers.
• Work with Quality Control to move bins to the correct status before generating bin reports.
• Train employees to exercise the correct processes; follow up with leadership if frontline teams need re-training.
• Create interdepartmental collaboration.
• Maintain a clean and organized workstation.
• Maintaining good documentation records and replying in a timely manner.
• Optimize time and familiarize yourself with department needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned according to company needs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education: High school diploma desired.
• Experience 1-2 years of production clerk experience in a manufacturing environment
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in MS Office Suite – Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel.

JOB SKILLS:

• Preferably have experience with Sage/ ERP systems.
• Preferably to have experience with creating work orders and managing variances.
• Preferably have previous experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
• Forklift experience is a plus.
• Must have excellent time and project management skills.
• Proficient in computer skills to include Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of office equipment.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and always be professional.
• Must be responsible and dependable.
• Be part of a positive, stable, and supportive environment.

JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Safety Awareness: Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Leadership: Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions. Ability to effectively build working relationships.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changes in the workplace. Capable of functioning in a fast-paced entrepreneurial setting.
• Resource Management (People & Equipment): Ability to ensure proper usage of equipment, facilities, materials, and personnel.
• Prioritization: Ability to quickly prioritize among numerous pressing tasks and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as ability to make presentations.
• Team Involvement: Works effectively with teams and work groups. Actively participates in problem-solving and interacts with teams to achieve team and organizational goals.
• Continuous Improvement: Active participant in continuous improvement initiatives and goals. Seeks opportunities to improve self and processes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The facility is a manufacturing environment, and this position may primarily be outdoors. The manufacturing environment and working outdoors may include high levels of noise. Outdoors conditions can include extreme cold, heat, or humidity and sometimes dusty conditions. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on occasion. Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as designated by the company. Position requires standing, sitting, and walking on a regular basis for prolonged periods. Near vision-ability to see details at close range. Ability to continuously use trunk strength (abdominal and lower back) to support repeated bodily movement.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform in the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

EOE/M/F/D/V