Inventory Associate

Tovala; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Healthcare coverage

401k with match

Free Tovala Smart Oven

11 paid holidays and winter shutdown

Job summary

Tovala is seeking an Inventory Associate to manage all inbound and outbound products at our Chicago facility. You will verify deliveries, store items daily, and maintain accurate records using RF scanning and our warehouse management system.

Key responsibilities include directing deliveries, maintaining logs, and collaborating with procurement and production to address shortages or damage. This role requires attention to detail, safety awareness, and reliability in a fast-paced food-tech

Qualifications

• Must be able to operate RF scanners and a WMS.
• Forklift certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Food handlers certification or ability to obtain certification.

Responsibilities

• Direct drivers to unload deliveries and stage them in designated areas.
• Verify received goods against PO/BOL and flag discrepancies.
• Maintain receiving logs and ensure samples meet temps, quantities and QC specs.
• Slot products into correct warehouse locations on receipt and optimize space.
• Ensure safety and cleanliness of the warehouse and equipment.
• Support production during low volume receiving days and assist maintenance as needed.

Skills

RF scanners

Forklift operation

WMS experience

Food safety

Education

Forklift Certification

Food Handlers certification

Tools

RF gun / scanners

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Job description

We’re Tovala, a food-tech company reinventing home cooking to save consumers time. Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it incredibly simple for anyone to prepare and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without sacrificing time to do whatever matters to them. Through our superior technology, product experience and food quality, we have separated Tovala from the busy pack of other meal delivery businesses. In the process, we’ve amassed a loyal, rapidly growing following and our retention, product engagement and customer NPS are all best-in-class. We’ve raised over $100mm from great investors like Left Lane Capital, Origin Ventures, Y Combinator and Comcast Ventures and have invested strongly in building a unique culture that fosters growth, personal development and camaraderie.

Position Summary

The Inventory Associate is responsible for all inbound and outbound products that hit our facility. Day-to-day operations include ensuring that incoming food and non-food deliveries are accurate and meet our high quality, safety, and consistency standards; and that incoming products are received via RF gun and properly stored daily. This individual will be upholding the organization and layout of the warehouse. You will oversee our inventory and notify buyers of shortages or damage of incoming ingredients. Good communication skills are imperative to this role so that procurement and production are notified promptly and can make accommodations accordingly.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Direct drivers to unload deliveries in designated staging areas.
• Verify actual product received against initial PO and BOL. Confirm integrity of goods and flag FSQA team when necessary.
• Maintain receiving logs and verify products meet specifications (temps, quantities, and QC standards) and properly filling out FSQA documentation.
• Transfer and slot product in the correct warehouse location upon receipt–done on the day it was received
• Optimize pallet configuration and warehouse space to maximize storage and efficiency.
• Maintain warehouse organization to ensure the full production cycle runs smoothly and is set-up for next week’s production.
• Facilitate warehouse resource management by ensuring equipment such as forklifts and floor scrubbers are functioning, charged, and ready when needed.
• Model compliance of Warehouse Safety.
• Provide support with production tasks during low volume receiving days.
• Assist facility maintenance projects and repairs, as necessary.
• Complete tasks as assigned on the daily schedule by the end of day.
• Other duties as assigned

Competencies

• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Ability to use RF scanners and warehouse management system (WMS)
• Ability to learn and complete all shared responsibilities in the warehouse when assigned

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

• Forklift Certification, or willingness to go through certification training
• Food Handlers certification

Physical Demands

• Able to lift, push, or pull up to sixty (60) pounds
• Able to stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during shifts of 8+ hours
• Comfortable working in hot and cold temperature environments in kitchen, warehouse, and cooler/freezer

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Food Safety Responsibilities

• Report any food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
• Follow and uphold procedures outlined in the Food Safety Plan and the Food Quality Plan and any other programs that support the SQF system and other 3rd party programs/audits.

Work Environment

Production

Space can be crowded with manufacturing equipment. Must remain aware of Forklift traffic. Noisy; some areas can be dusty. May encounter extremes in temperatures.

$21.50 - $21.50 an hour

Compensation & Benefits

• - Paid time off (starting with 1 week in your first year)
• - Comprehensive healthcare coverage we really invest in
• - 401k with match
• - Free Tovala Smart Oven and discounted Tovala meals
• - 11 Paid holidays and our winter facility shutdown where the facility closes for a week around Christmas
• - Various other perks - recognition programs, continued learning stipend, casual dress code, in-office coffee, snacks and drinks, and Tovala swag

Our Values

Put the Team First

We put what is best for the broader team ahead of what is best for ourselves or our immediate department.

Get S#!t Done (Well)

We celebrate people at all levels for delivering high impact work that expands the bounds of what we’re able to do.

Connect the Dots

We engage with curiosity to learn how our work impacts others so that we can problem-solve holistically and work collaboratively.

Be Direct

We share our perspective openly and directly, even when it feels difficult to do so.

Embrace the Obstacles

We rise to meet challenges with a sense of urgency, resolve, and optimism.

Champion the Customer

We consider and prioritize our customer in all of our decisions

At Tovala we‘re committed to building a workplace that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Everyone is welcome here!