Material Handler - 2nd Shift

U.S. Waffle Company; Liberty (SC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Matching

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

U.S. Waffle in Liberty, SC is seeking a dependable Material Handler to support our Production team. The role focuses on safe material movement, inventory control, and adherence to food safety standards in a fast-paced bakery environment.

You will operate forklifts and pallet jacks, coordinate with production, and maintain accurate records using PLEX and scanners. The position reports to the Shift Supervisor and requires flexibility for extended shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Forklift operating experience required.
• Forklift certification preferred.
• Experience with inventory systems/barcode scanners preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment.
• Move raw materials and finished goods between production, staging, warehouse, and shipping areas.
• Load and unload materials safely and efficiently.
• Stage materials for production according to schedules.
• Maintain accurate inventory transactions using PLEX, mobile scanners, and warehouse management systems.
• Assist with inventory counts, cycle counts, and physical inventories.
• Support FIFO" inventory practices and line support as needed.

Skills

Forklift operation

Inventory control

Attention to detail

Safety-conscious

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or GED

Equivalent warehouse experience

Tools

Forklift certification

Warehouse management system (PLEX)

Barcode scanners

Job description

POSITION TITLE : MATERIAL HANDLER

POSITION STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION: Liberty, SC

DEPARTMENT:

REPORT TO: Darren Johnson

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 2026

Position Profile

Cérélia’s Frozen Breakfast Business Unit – U.S. Waffle – is committed to delivering high-quality frozen breakfast products while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, operational excellence, and employee engagement. To support our growing manufacturing operations in Liberty, South Carolina, we are seeking dependable and safety-focused Material Handlers to join our Production team.

The Material Handler is responsible for the safe and efficient movement, storage, staging, and inventory control of raw materials and finished goods throughout the manufacturing facility. This position operates forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment to support production operations while ensuring inventory accuracy, product integrity, and compliance with food safety and safety standards.

The ideal candidate is dependable, quality-conscious, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining a safe and organized warehouse and production environment. This role requires flexibility, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced food manufacturing operation.

This position reports directly to the Shift Supervisor.

Primary Responsibilities

1) Material Handling and Warehouse Operations

• Report to work as scheduled and maintain excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Safely operate forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and other powered material handling equipment.
• Move raw materials and finished goods between production, staging, warehouse, and shipping areas.
• Load and unload materials, ingredients, and finished products safely and efficiently.
• Stage materials for production according to production schedules.
• Transport finished products to designated warehouse storage locations.
• Load trailers accurately and efficiently while maintaining product integrity.
• Stack and store products using established warehouse storage procedures.
• Maintain accurate inventory transactions using PLEX, mobile scanners, and warehouse management systems.
• Assist with inventory counts, cycle counts, and physical inventories.
• Ensure proper stock rotation using First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory practices.
• Assist Production Leads with equipment changeovers, material movement, and line support.
• Perform daily forklift inspections and report maintenance concerns immediately.
• Perform minor equipment maintenance within authorized guidelines.
• Maintain warehouse organization, cleanliness, and safe storage practices.
• Complete additional warehouse and material handling duties as assigned.

2) Food Safety and Quality

• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), HACCP requirements, and SQF Food Safety Code requirements.
• Immediately report food safety, food quality, product integrity, or inventory concerns to Quality Assurance or supervision.
• Support and maintain a culture focused on food safety, product quality, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure raw materials and finished products are handled in a manner that prevents contamination and product damage.
• Maintain warehouse and production areas in a clean, organized, and audit-ready condition.
• Participate in required food safety, quality, forklift, and operational training.
• Understand and fulfill individual responsibility for protecting food safety and product quality.
• Follow all procedures designed to prevent product contamination and cross-contamination.

3) Operational Efficiency and Inventory Control

• Support production schedules by ensuring materials are available when needed.
• Monitor inventory movement to maintain accurate inventory records.
• Verify materials, lot numbers, labels, and product identification during movement and storage.
• Notify supervisors of inventory discrepancies, equipment malfunctions, damaged materials, or process concerns.
• Rework product or move materials as directed to minimize waste and maximize efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on warehouse efficiency, inventory accuracy, and waste reduction.
• Maintain housekeeping throughout warehouse and production support areas.
• Work overtime, extended shifts, and weekends as business needs require.

4) Safety and Compliance

• Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and safe forklift operating procedures.
• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.
• Complete required forklift safety inspections before operating equipment.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, accidents, injuries, equipment damage, or near-miss incidents.
• Operate all powered industrial equipment safely and according to company training.
• Participate in safety meetings and required safety training.
• Support a culture where employee safety is the highest operational priority.

Core Competencies

• Drive High Performance: Demonstrates accountability, reliability, and strong organizational skills. Maintains productivity while ensuring inventory accuracy and safe material movement.
• Collaborate: Works effectively with supervisors, warehouse personnel, production employees, and Quality Assurance. Treats coworkers with professionalism and respect while contributing to team success.
• Can-do attitude: Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to support changing production and warehouse priorities.
• Integrity and Dependability: Demonstrates honesty, professionalism, dependable attendance, and consistent adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Ensures accurate inventory transactions, proper product identification, safe storage practices, and compliance with customer specifications.

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Equivalent warehouse or manufacturing experience may be considered.

Experience

• Previous forklift operating experience required.
• Previous warehouse, shipping/receiving, or food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience using inventory systems, barcode scanners, or warehouse management software is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Forklift certification or ability to become certified.
• Basic mathematical and inventory counting skills.
• Ability to safely operate powered industrial equipment.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow work instructions and safety procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are preferred but not required.
• Ability to work independently while supporting team objectives.

Physical/Working Conditions

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to move heavier materials with mechanical assistance.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, climb, and reach throughout the shift.
• Frequent forklift operation throughout the workday.
• Ability to work in hot and cold manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to flour dust, warehouse traffic, machinery, wet floors, noise, and occasional production fumes.

Decision-Making/Authority

• Responsible for identifying and reporting food safety, quality, inventory, equipment, and workplace safety concerns.
• Makes routine inventory and material movement decisions within established procedures.
• Escalates production, inventory, equipment, quality, and safety concerns to leadership when appropriate.

Success Profile

The ideal candidate is:

• Demonstrates safe forklift operation and compliance with all company safety requirements.
• Maintains accurate inventory and warehouse organization.
• Supports production through timely and efficient material movement.
• Maintains high attendance, reliability, and productivity.
• Ensures products are handled safely while protecting food safety and quality.
• Communicates inventory, equipment, and production concerns proactively.
• Demonstrates flexibility and supports changing operational priorities.
• Contributes positively to a collaborative, safety-focused work environment.

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company matching contribution.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Training and development opportunities.
• Career growth opportunities within a global organization.