Material Handler I (Days)

SunOpta; Midlothian (IL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid Family leave

Paid maternity leave

401(k) with Match

Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Ill

Hospital indemnity

Paid Holidays

Tuition assistance

Short-term and Long-term Disability

Job summary

SunOpta is seeking a reliable Material Handler at its Midlothian, TX plant to operate forklift equipment, palletizing systems, and related machinery. You will ensure safe operations, proper paperwork, and accurate daily records while supporting production goals.

The role requires at least 2 years of distribution experience, forklift proficiency (3+ years), RF scanner experience, and ability to work a day shift in a fast-paced food-grade facility.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• 2 years distribution experience.
• Ability to operate a forklift, with a minimum of 3 or more years of experience.
• RF Scanner experience.
• Experience with 100+ SKUs in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklift to move, locate, relocate, and count product.
• Pull and prepare product for shipment per load sheets.
• Unload inbound shipments safely and move product to storage locations.
• Maintain all forklift inspection prior to shift with accurate documentation.
• Assist in training of newly employed workers.

Skills

Forklift operation

RF Scanner

SKU management experience

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

RF Scanner

Job description

About SunOpta SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Job Summary

Material Handler is responsible for operating all energized and non-energized Forklift and Palletizing equipment including Forklifts, Pallet Jacks, Floor Scrubber, Palletizing Robot and shrink wrap machines. They will ensure efficient operation of equipment as well as maintaining all paperwork accurately. Follow written and verbal instructions to ensure quality and efficiency standards are being met. Assume responsibility for safety, quality, and effective communication relevant to shift and plant performance.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Responsible for operating a forklift to move, locate, relocate, stack and count product.
• Pull and prepare product for shipment, ensuring the exact number/type of product is loaded and shipped per load sheets in an efficient manner, meeting customer service standards.
• Efficiently move product from staging and/or storage areas into trailers.
• Operate and be accountable for the safe and efficient operation of the vehicle.
• Unload inbound shipments safely and move product to storage locations.
• Ensure inbound/outbound shipments are accurate and free of damage, reporting and quality variances.
• Keep appropriate records and reports to guarantee that inventory control and security are maintained.
• Assist in physical inventories and proper stock rotation.
• Maintain all forklift inspection prior to shift with accurate documentation.
• Conducts required quality checks to assure standards are met.
• Maintain clean and organized area around equipment.
• Maintains communications within production team ensuring smooth shift transitions, etc.
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties involving area equipment.
• Pick and load outbound trucks as per paperwork.
• Unload and put away inbound trucks.
• Support mechanics in appropriate maintenance activities.
• Monitor raw packaging material and supplies to ensure it is supplied in an efficient manor to support production.
• Maintain ingredients and material in a First Expired First Out basis (FEFO).
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties involving area equipment.
• Collaborating with internal departments to locate missing packages, fix incorrect deliveries and replace damaged products.
• Relieve other production team members for breaks and absences as required.
• Assisting with training of newly employed workers.
• Accurately prepares and maintains all area paperwork.
• Complies with Good Manufacturing Practices.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Key Accountabilities

Safety

• Follows all plant safety rules.
• Reports all accidents to the production supervisor.
• Serves an active role in the plant safety program by attending safety meetings, participating in monthly safety inspections, and reporting any potential safety hazards to the safety committee or Production Supervisor.

Quality

• Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines.
• Follows SOP’s to make machine adjustments.
• Follows SOP’s on truck inspection for loading and unloading.
• Responsible for compliance with the HACCP & SQF program.
• Must adhere to and follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s).
• Responsible for accurate documentation.

Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors.
• Perform all warehouse Sanitation process with documentation.

Communications

• As a member of the Materials team, ensures the effective shift communication and teamwork with the other operators occurs each scheduled shift.
• Maintains effective communication with members of the support group.
• Maintain communication with shift supervisor as well as Materials Manager.

Teamwork and Training

• Promotes and contributes to the development of teamwork among materials team members.
• Assist in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team.

Personal Development

• Continuous improvement of knowledge of batch output and all other areas in the plant.
• Continuous improvement of knowledge of other company warehouses.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• 2 years distribution experience.
• Ability to operate a forklift, with a minimum of 3 or more years of experience.
• RF Scanner experience.
• Experience with 100+ SKUs in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in a food grade facility.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to solve practical problems.
• Ability to interpret instructions in various formats (written, oral, schedules, diagrams).
• Ability to get along well with others, good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to keep operating logs/records.

Additional Considerations

• Location: This position will be at the SunOpta Plant in Midlothian, TX - Challenger Warehouse.
• Shift: This will be a Day Shift position, Monday - Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. Some flexibility may be needed on occasion.
• Pay Rate: $21.00/hour.
• Physical Demands: May occasionally lift up to 50 lbs. May also stand for extended periods of time.

Featured Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED