Material Handler - 1st Shift

Maola Local Dairies; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retention bonus program

Benefits package included

Job summary

Maola Local Dairies is hiring for a 1st shift production role in Newport News, VA. The position runs 4:00am-12:30pm with overtime, weekends, and holidays required.

Hourly pay is $18.00 per hour, and there is a retention bonus program totaling $3,500 (1,000 after 90 days; 2,500 after 6 months). Responsibilities include setting up and operating bottle handling equipment, labelers and video jets, while maintaining safety and GMP compliance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or International Education Equivalent.
• Manufacturing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintains clean work area and equipment.
• Checks bottles for proper code and label when a change-over takes place.
• Monitors the Alpine: clears jams and reroutes jugs as needed.
• Maintains jug supply and storage; communicates with supervisor regarding bottle trailer needs.
• Keeps machines running to the bagging machine.
• Operates bagging machine when production is down.
• Communicates with lead person or supervisor when issues arise.
• Assists Maintenance when equipment is down.
• Follows all Safety Procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Skills

Communication

Accountability

Customer Focused

Initiative

Problem-Solving

Collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

SHIFT: 1st

Must be able to work overtime, weekends and holidays.

SHIFT: 1st HOURS: 4:00am-12:30pm. Must be able to work overtime, weekends and holidays.

HOURLY PAY= $18.00 PER HOUR

Earn up to $3,500 in Retention Bonuses!

Join our team and receive: $1,000 after 90 days $2,500 after 6 months

Bonus eligibility and terms apply.

Why You Will Love Working At Maola®

• Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead—investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future.
• Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products.
• We prioritize your well-being with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, Life Insurance, paid time off, and more—available within your first month.
• Our employees are an integral part of who we are — what you do and what you think matters.

Summary

Supports production needs by setting up, adjusting, and operating bottle handling equipment, labelers and video jets.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Maintains clean work area and equipment.
• Checks bottles for proper code and label when a change-over takes place.
• Monitors the Alpine: clears jams and reroutes jugs as needed.
• Maintains jug supply and storage; communicates with supervisor regarding bottle trailer needs.
• Keeps machines running to the bagging machine.
• Operates bagging machine when production is down.
• Communicates with lead person or supervisor when issues arise.
• Assists Maintenance when equipment is down.
• Follows all Safety Procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Basic Requirements

• High school diploma, General Education Degree (GED), or International Education Equivalent.
• Manufacturing experience preferred.

COMPETENCIES

• Communication
  • Communicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels – oral, written, visual, and non-verbal – ensuring our messages are understood and delivered appropriately, whether in-person or digitally.
• Accountability
  • Take responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise.
  • Solve problems both within and outside of departments, proactively addressing issues as they occur.
• Customer Focused
  • Prioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs.
  • Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer requirements and striving for exceptional service.
• Initiative
  • Proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats.
  • Act independently and decisively, rather than waiting for situations to demand action.
• Problem-Solving
  • Possess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance.
  • Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical, effective solutions.
• Collaboration
  • Take responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that collective goals are met.
  • Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal, recognizing and valuing each person’s contributions, is fundamental to successful collaboration.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to reach, bend, extend, and lift 50-60 pounds. It also requires reaching and handling dairy products and pushing and pulling stacks of products weighing up to 200lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The work environment may require working in the cooler room with varying degrees of temperature and may include contact with water or dairy liquids.
• Exposed to a noise level of 90 decibels. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate/high. Wet/slippery work conditions.

Maola Local Dairies®

Maola Local Dairies® is a farmer-owned cooperative committed to its local farm families and to producing high-quality, nutritious dairy products. Founded in 1920, Maola processes and delivers your favorite milk, cream, and dairy products to families, schools, and communities while investing in quality, innovation, and sustainability across its farms and supply chain. Learn more at www.maolamilk.com.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.