Forklift Operator, Lead

Ventura Foods; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement savings

Employee events

On-the-job training

Job summary

Ventura Foods is seeking a skilled Forklift Operator to load and unload pallets, move products within the warehouse, and ensure accurate inventory using RF scanners. This onsite role in Waukesha, WI requires prior forklift certification and adherence to GMPs and safety protocols.

Responsibilities include pre-op forklift checks, battery management, pallet transfers to production, and reporting maintenance needs.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed/certified as a forklift driver and pass skills and written tests for sit-down and stand-up forklifts.
• Good math skills are required.
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively.
• Identify and report food safety and food security concerns.

Responsibilities

• Operate RF scanner and verify carrier and pallet quantity before loading on trailers.
• Perform pre-op forklift inspection; charge and document batteries.
• Uphold GMPs and safety policies; ensure OSHA/EPA/FSMA compliance.
• Move pallets to production, operate palletizer, stretch wrap, and pallet inverter as needed.
• Report repairs and leaks; back-up clerks using AS400; train new employees.
• Support food safety and sanitation standards across the facility.
• Take on other duties as assigned.

Skills

Forklift license

Safety awareness

Math skills

Communication skills

Job description

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Location: Waukesha, WI, US, 53186

Employment Type:Hourly
Work Designation:Onsite
Shift:Second

Position Summary:

To lead and train Forklift Operators on proper procedures of loading and unloading various packaging and finished products from truck trailers to meet customer orders, to prevent damage to pallets and product and on moving products within facility in preparation for shipment by driving an electric powered industrial truck, equipped with devices such as forks or clamps and pushing, pulling, lifting and/or stacking products or materials as required. Operate the RF scanner to ensure accurate inventory location within warehouse.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate the RF hand held scanner. Using a load sheet, verify carrier and pallet quantity before loading on truck trailer. Inspect pallets to prevent product damage and missing cases. Inspect all trailers to ensure cleanliness and compliance with GMPs. Unload packaging and branch transfer products from trailers. Scan all pallets to ensure they are in the correct location. Complete load sheet. Verify code dates, label allergen, leakers, caps and wrong packaging, etc.
• Perform pre-op inspection of forklift before operation. Change, inspect, and charge batteries per SOPs. Document changes. Check assigned aisles in warehouse to clean and maintain
• Follow all GMP, safety, sanitation, personnel, and security policies and procedures, consistently. Compliance with OSHA, EPA, PSM, HACCP, and customer requirements
• Transfer pallets to the production area. Monitor palletizer on production lines. Operate stretch wrap machine as needed. Keep pallets in the pallet dispenser for production lines. Operate the pallet inverter when necessary
• Report items in need of repair for completion of work order. Report leaks for completion of UMI tags and attached to equipment
• Back‑up clerks using AS400, train new employees, solve over weight trailer issues
• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years of experience as a forklift operator
• Warehouse distribution environment experience preferred

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must have been previously licensed/certified as a forklift driver and be able to pass skills test for license/certification as well as written test for sit down and stand up forklift
• Good math skills are required
• Must be able to read, write and communicate effectively
• Must be able to identify and report any food safety and food security concerns

Why Join Us:
Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses. We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provideready-to-goproduct solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves. When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:

• Retirement savings options
• Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs
• On-the-job training

Physical Demands:
All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s)and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements.

Work Environment:
Please see the job description for specific requirements of the position for which you are applying.

Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to:

• Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity;
• Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used inoperations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and
• Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.

Our Culture
Our Culture reflects our commitment to treating every employee with respect and creating an environment where people can do their best work. We rely on a variety of strengths, backgrounds, and experiences across our teams to help us innovate, grow, and deliver for our customers. By fostering a workplace that is supportive, collaborative, and grounded in integrity, we continue to attract strong talent and meet the high expectations of a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.