Forklift Operator - 1st Shift

CJ Schwan’s; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly Friday pay

Up to 2 weeks PTO first year

7 paid holidays and 2 personal days

Health Plans (3)

Vision Plans (2)

401k with company match

Disability plans

Life insurance

Additional benefits

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s is hiring for a full-time warehouse associate in Erie, PA. The role operates on the 1st shift with starting pay at $18.50 per hour and includes opportunities for advancement in a food manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities include forklift operation, efficient pallet picking, and inventory support, while adhering to safety standards. Eligible employees receive multiple health plans, a 401(k) with company match, and paid time off benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 0–1 year of related experience.
• Ability to operate forklifts, clean-up equipment, and carts.
• Ability to gain forklift certification or license.
• Ability to work in cold/freezing temperatures (around 30 degrees).
• Familiarity with WMS and SAP systems.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate forklifts and lift equipment to receive, store, and transport palletized products per OSHA and safety standards.
• Pick and stage pallets to support timely trailer loading and distribution.
• Maintain smooth product flow and timely material movements.
• Perform regular equipment checks and report malfunctions to minimize downtime.
• Assist with periodic counts and maintain organized storage areas per GWP.

Skills

Forklift operation

Inventory control

WMS

SAP

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

WMS

SAP

Job description

Starting Pay: $18.50 per hour
Shift: 1st
Hours: Between 6:00am - 5:00pm

What We Offer

• Weekly Friday pay
• Earn up to 2 weeks paid time off your first year
• 7 paid holidays and 2 personal days each year
• 3 Health Plans
• 2 Vision Plans
• Immediately vesting 401k with up to 4% Company Match
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Numerous company-paid benefits, including, financial planning, employee assistance program, life insurance, virtual physical therapy assistance, and caregiving support

If you are interested in joining a growing company with popular retail brands such as Red Baron®, Tony's®, and Freschetta® pizza; Mrs. Smith's® and Edwards® desserts; bibigo® and Pagoda® Asian-style snacks, this role is for you. This is a full-time position in a food manufacturing environment with opportunities for advancement!

What You Will Do

• Safely operate forklifts and lift equipment to receive, store, and transport palletized products in compliance with OSHA and company safety standards.
• Efficiently pick and stage pallets from storage racks to designated Forward Pick (FWP) areas to support timely trailer loading and distribution.
• Maintain smooth product flow by ensuring all material movements are completed accurately and within established timeframes.
• Perform regular equipment checks, promptly reporting any malfunctions or safety issues to supervisors to minimize downtime.
• Support inventory control by assisting with periodic counts and maintaining organized storage areas following Good Warehouse Practices (GWP).

What You Will Bring

• High school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age.
• Minimum of 0 to 1 year of related experience.
• Ability to operate clean-up brooms, plastic compactors, forklifts, and carts.
• Ability to gain and maintain required forklift certification, license and/or satisfactory completion of cart driver training.
• Ability to key product/move data into terminals daily and work in cold/freezing temperatures of 30 degrees.
• Ability to understand/use WMS (Warehouse Management System) and eventually understand/utilize SAP (Systems Applications Products in Data Processing).

CJ Schwan's and its employing subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, veteran status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law. Schwan's Company also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation or need assistance with completing the application process, please email [e-mail].