Forklift Operator I

CJ Schwan's; Salina (KS); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

PTO 2 weeks first year

7 paid holidays and 2 personal days

Benefit package including health plans

Immediately vesting 401k with up to 4%

Disability plans

Life insurance and others

Job summary

CJ Schwan's is hiring for a full-time Warehouse role in Salina, Kansas. You will safely operate forklifts, pick and stage pallets, and maintain product flow while adhering to OSHA and safety standards. The position requires basic data entry into terminals and comfort working in cold environments.

Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or GED and 0–1 year of related experience. Training for forklift certification will be provided as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 18+ years of age.
• 0 to 1 year of related experience.
• Able to operate brooms, compactors, forklifts and carts.
• Able to obtain forklift certification and stay compliant.
• Able to enter product/move data into terminals daily; work in 30°F environments.
• Familiar with WMS and, eventually, SAP usage.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate forklifts and lift equipment to receive, store, and transport palletized products.
• Efficiently pick and stage pallets to support timely trailer loading and distribution.
• Maintain smooth product flow; ensure material movements are accurate and timely.
• Perform regular equipment checks; report malfunctions or safety issues promptly.
• Support inventory control with periodic counts and organized storage per GWP.

Skills

Forklift operation

Pallet handling

Safety awareness

Data entry

Material movement

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

WMS

SAP

Job description

Starting Pay: $19.50 per hour

Additional $2.00 shift differential from 3 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Shift: 1st - C Crew (Thursday through Saturday and every other Wednesday)

Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Warehouse

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
• Comprehensive Benefit Package, including:
• 3 Health Plans
• 2 Dental 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.

CJ 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].