Forklift Operator

Maryland & Virginia; High Point (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A farmer-owned cooperative seeks a Forklift Operator to support its shipping division. Responsibilities include operating a forklift for loading and unloading dairy products, maintaining inventory accuracy, and ensuring a clean work environment. This role requires prior forklift experience and a dedication to safety and teamwork.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Life insurance

Paid time off

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience operating a forklift essential.
• Able to lift and stack boxes of product up to 60 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload product safely and efficiently.
• Maintain clean work area and operate necessary equipment.
• Document inventory counts in accordance with SOPs.

Skills

Communication

Accountability

Customer Focused

Initiative

Problem-Solving

Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED)

Tools

Forklift

Job description

Why you will love working at Maola:

• Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead—investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future.
• Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products.
• We prioritize your well-being with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, Life Insurance, paid time off, and more—available within your first month.
• Our employees are an integral part of who we are — what you do and what you think matters.

SUMMARY:

Supports shipping division by operating a forklift to load, unload, move, stack, stage, and count product/materials. Maintains a clean, sanitary and safe work area. Ensures all required information is documented in accordance with SOPs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Include the following.

• Loads and unloads product in a safe and efficient manner.
• Responsible for the accurate loading of all palletized orders.
• Receives incoming product and stock into designated areas.
• Operates and cleans equipment: e.g., palletizer, bander, etc.
• Cleans up all debris and hoses down area immediately after any spills.
• Notifies shift supervisor immediately of any breakdowns or any mixed products.
• Sets aside “mistake products” for inventory and re-stocking.
• Maintains appropriate records and reports to ensure accurate inventory counts.
• Lift and stack boxes of product in cooler.
• Additional duties as assigned.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Forklift Experience Required

COMPETENCIES:

• Communication
  • Communicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels – oral, written,
    visual, and non-verbal – ensuring our messages are understood and delivered
    appropriately, whether in-person or digitally.
• Accountability
  • Take responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise.
  • Solve problems both within and outside of departments, proactively addressing issues as they occur.
• Customer Focused
  • Prioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs.
  • Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer
    requirements and striving for exceptional service.
• Initiative
  • Proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats.
  • Act independently and decisively, rather than waiting for situations to demand action.
• Problem-Solving
  • Possess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance.
  • Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical, effective solutions.
• Collaboration
  • Take responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that
    collective goals are met.
  • Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal, recognizing and
    valuing each person’s contributions, is fundamental to successful collaboration.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to reach, bend, extend, and lift 50-60 pounds. It also requires reaching and handling dairy products and pushing and pulling stacks of products weighing up to 200lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The work environment may require working in the cooler room with varying degrees of temperature and may include contact with water or dairy liquids.
• Exposed to a noise level of 90 decibels. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate/high. Wet/slippery work conditions.

Maola Local Dairies is a farmer-owned cooperative sustainably producing a full suite of nutritious dairy products. Maola processes milk, cream, butter, and dry milk powders through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality, freshness, and love for the environment, Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola, please visit www.maolamilk.com.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.