Forklift Utility Operator 1st shift

HotSpot AG; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Forklift Utility Operator to join their dynamic team in Hanford, California. This hands-on role requires a commitment to safety and efficiency in operating forklifts and utility equipment. You will play a crucial role in supporting production operations, ensuring quality control, and maintaining a clean work environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced setting. Join a company dedicated to employee growth and operational excellence, where your contributions are valued and recognized.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Training and Development Programs

Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• Must obtain forklift certification and maintain safety standards.
• Previous experience operating forklifts in a manufacturing setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts and utility equipment safely to support production.
• Perform routine inspections and maintain a clean working environment.

Skills

Forklift Operation

Safety Awareness

Time Management

Quality Control

Communication Skills

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Forklift Certification

Experience in Manufacturing

Tools

Forklifts

Boom Lifts

Scissor Lifts

ERP Systems

Job description

Nichols Farms is one of the top processors of pistachios in the United States. For more than two decades, Nichols Farms has maintained superior quality and exceptional service in supplying pistachio products to major retail and wholesale clients domestically and internationally. Nichols Farms maintains a state-of-the-art processing facility at their corporate headquarters in Hanford, California, employing over 350 employees. Join the Nichols Farms Team with their objective of continued growth. Nichols Farms possesses a strong employee-oriented environment dedicated to training and growth of team members.

The Nichols Farms Mission and Vision supports a culture of striving for mutual success of our employees, suppliers and customers through operational excellence and educational development.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Forklift Utility Operator is a hands-on team member responsible for supporting the Shift Supervisor and Processing Team with the safe and efficient operation of forklifts and utility equipment. This role involves transporting pistachios and materials, supporting production operations, and assisting in cleaning, quality control, and basic equipment maintenance tasks.

SAFETY ABILITY: Promote a "safety first" culture by following all safety rules (including Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Fall Protection and Hazard Communication). Report all near misses, Injuries, and document incidents to the Shift Supervisor and Leads.

QUALITY ABILITY: Perform all duties in accordance with Quality and GMP (good manufacturing practices) established company policies and procedures.

POSITION CERTIFICATIONS: Must obtain and maintain certification for forklift, boom lift, and scissor lift.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operate forklifts, boom lifts, and scissor lifts safely to transport raw and finished products.
• Load and unload product bins, pallets, and materials to designated areas or processing lines.
• Support production lines by ensuring a steady and accurate supply of product.
• Perform routine inspections of forklifts and utility equipment to ensure safe operation.
• Identify and report equipment malfunctions and safety hazards immediately.
• Maintain accurate production tracking and inventory movement using scan guns or ERP systems.
• Remove waste materials and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Support quality and GMP compliance in all handling and storage of products.
• Operate Optical Sorting machines, shellers, and pistachio lines.
• Notify supervisors or other personnel of any production problems and contact the Color Sort Programmer of any issues or for support.
• Ensure proper screen sizes are set on KCL sizing deck.
• Regularly monitor and clean all Qcifeye equipment throughout the shift to ensure optimal performance of the color sorters.
• Monitor all aspiration lines throughout the shift to ensure they remain clear of mill buildup.
• Inspect all Qcifeye hoppers and chutes to ensure there are no meal blockages or buildups.
• Maintain knowledge of pistachio products by size, weight, color, and/or condition.
• Validate correct screens are placed based on SKU running through the pistachio line.
• Validate even flow through each pistachio line sizer.
• Pack totes or boxes as required.
• Issue and create tags for finished products.
• Make quality adjustments to the color sorter feeding the pistachio line.
• Blend nuts to meet established requirements on all pistachio line chutes.
• Ensure proper operation of color sorting equipment by monitoring material flow and listening for machine malfunctions such as jamming or spillage. Notify supervisors if corrective actions fail.
• Validate proper screens for sheller 1-2 based on WIP running.
• Set sheller 1-2 with appropriate feed speeds based on WIP running through the line.
• Set proper speeds for primary and secondary shellers based on WIP running.
• Start up and stop equipment, fill lines/hoppers for next-day operations, load and unload product, conduct regular inspections of equipment, and complete maintenance work order requests to the supervisor when needed.
• Monitor and remove full bins of shell and dust from outside bag house throughout the shift.
• Dump and deliver product to specified unit locations safely and timely manner.
• Sweep nuts from the floor throughout the shift, weigh the product, and document it at the end of shift.
• Provide effective shift pass-downs to fellow employees, supervisors, and managers.
• Ensure Food Safety Systems are adhered to in all processes, including cleaning of forklift equipment, tools used during operations and upkeep of machine rooms.
• Perform other job duties and tasks as assigned by supervisors or management.

JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Safety Awareness: Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Time Management: Ability to organize and complete work within given timelines.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changes in the workplace. Capable of functioning in a fast-paced entrepreneurial setting within all equipment functions in Building 7.
• Prioritization: Ability to quickly prioritize and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills, as well as ability to make presentations.
• Interpersonal: Ability to effectively build working relationships.
• Team Involvement: Works effectively with teams and work groups. Actively participates in problem solving and interacts with team and work groups to achieve team and organizational goals.
• Detail-Oriented: Demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Continuous Improvement: Active participant in continuous improvement initiatives and goals. Seeks opportunities to improve self and processes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Previous forklift operating experience in a manufacturing or warehouse setting preferred.
• Experience in quality control processes, machines, or Optical Sorting operations preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
• Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills or ability to learn ERP and inventory tracking systems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand for extended periods of time at workstation, climb stairs, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as designated by the company.

The majority of the role is performed in a manufacturing environment which may include high levels of noise. Working conditions can include extreme cold, heat, or humidity. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform in the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

EOE/M/F/D/V