Forklift Operator- Expert

Bud Antle, LLC; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 38,572; Full time

Job summary

Bud Antle, LLC. in Salinas, CA, seeks a skilled Forklift Operator Expert to safely move materials within the facility using a scan gun. This non-exempt position requires attention to detail, adherence to safety rules, and reliable performance on the B Shift.

You will perform loading/unloading, inventory checks, pallet rotations, and support blending, receiving, and shipping tasks across shifts. Flexibility and dependability are essential.

Qualifications

• Forklift experience in a manufacturing plant with scan gun proficiency.
• Bilingual English/Spanish literacy preferred.
• Compliance with OSHA safety norms.
• Ability to read, write, and interpret work-related documents and safety rules.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts to load, unload, and move materials using the scan gun.
• Conduct equipment inspections and maintain a clean, organized workspace.
• Follow safety procedures and meet deadlines with attention to detail.
• Support blending, receiving, packaging, and shipment tasks as needed.
• Rotate pallets and manage inventory with FIFO to maintain accurate counts.

Skills

Forklift operation

Scan gun proficiency

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Safety compliance

Reading/writing documents or safety规则

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

RF scanner

Job description

Overview

Title: Forklift Operator Expert

Salary Range: $25.50 Hourly

Status: Non-Exempt • Shifts: B Shift, Monday – Saturday • Location: Salinas, CA

General description / primary purpose: A skilled and reliable forklift operator to safely and efficiently handle material movement within the facility with experience using a scan gun. Responsibilities include operating forklifts to load, unload, and move materials, conducting equipment inspections, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace. The ideal candidate has forklift experience, knowledge of safety procedures, the ability to meet deadlines, and strong attention to detail.

Major Responsibilities and Tasks

• Blending – Wash and sanitize all plastic cull, trash and recycled bins; pull start-up pallets into the blending area; rotate and stage raw products; manage empty cull/pallets and trash; dispose of waste and maintain organized blending areas; cover unused partial pallets at shift end.
• Material Issuance – Rotate and organize Box 3; issue raw products to the plant per issuance SOP; unload pallets and other items; load material for growers and for transports; stage start-up raw product for next day; assist in bagging raw products; rotate pallets and RPCs to open space for inbound deliveries; maintain yard cleanliness near dumpsters.
• Packaging – Receive packaging inbound, unload trucks safely, stock packaging materials and labels; perform inventory activities and provide updates to Inventory/Receiving Manager; monitor inventory (including pallets/RPCs); communicate potential stock-outs and issues; rotate packaging materials with FIFO.
• Pack Out – Stock materials for production pre-start-up; manage incoming/outgoing trays, lids, cartons, trash bins, and empty pallets; move completed finished goods pallets to the correct location; manage pack-out operations.
• Receiving – Unload raw materials from trucks with a forklift, weigh pallets, verify counts against BOL/PO, report discrepancies; tag pallets; ensure cooled raw material; rotate stock using FIFO; stage raw product for transfer to Co-Packer(s).
• Shipping / Pre-Stage – Operate scanner gun for picking and rotating finished goods; pull and build pallets for customer orders with accurate counts and documentation; follow special ticket instructions; meet order picking efficiency standards.
• Load Trucks – Perform trailer pre-inspection; load orders, verify counts with Pick Tickets, and document quantities using a handheld scanner.
• Rotation – Move finished product from Production to warehouse; observe production schedule; perform cycle counts and update inventory sheets.
• 12 Pallet / Tube Operation – Scan start-up product to PRDIN; manage start-up product and cooling operations; maintain documentation for all activity, including cooling tube and forklift operations.

Job Specific Competencies

• Prior forklift experience in a manufacturing plant with scan gun proficiency and pre-staging.
• Ability to demonstrate forklift driving proficiency for loading/unloading and material placement.
• Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration norms.
• English and/or Spanish literacy; bilingual preferred.
• Ability to read, write, and interpret work-related documents, safety rules, and operating instructions.
• Ability to perform other duties as required by business needs and management discretion.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly stand, walk, use hands, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities, including distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment; able to operate a handheld scanning device.

Work Hours & Travel Requirements

• Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Experience and Education

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience in a fresh vegetable or food processing plant is a plus.
• Forklift certification preferred; organic girl will certify employees where applicable.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. Applicant rights under Federal Employment Laws are provided here: FMLA (English/Spanish), EEOC, EPPA, USERRA.

Department: Distribution • This is a non-management, full-time position.