Mobile Equipment Operator

Central Garden & Pet; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Employer-paid life insurance

401k

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee assistance program

Education assistance

Discounts on cell phones, movieTickets

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet is hiring a Material Handler – Front-End Production in Fort Wayne, IN. You will feed the production line, track material deliveries with a forklift, and perform put-away of goods and timely loading/unloading of trucks to support production teams.

The role emphasizes safety, accuracy in material handling, and collaboration with production leads. Opportunities exist to explore warehouse, inventory, back-end production, or quality roles within the company.

Qualifications

• Basic counting and math skills.
• Ability to push/pull up to 50lbs.
• Ability to stand/walk/bend/stoop up to 3 hours at a stretch.
• Strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills; written documentation and tracking of materials; verbal interaction with multiple individuals at various levels within the organization.
• Flexible; must be willing to “learn as you go” and have a “can do” attitude.
• Self-starter: must be willing to ask questions and speak up if something doesn’t make sense or seems out of place.
• Team player: must be willing to pitch in to assist team members with other duties as requested.
• One (1) year of experience operating a forklift preferred.

Responsibilities

• Feeds the production line and manually tracks the delivery of materials with a forklift.
• Put-away of finished goods or raw materials.
• Timely loading and unloading of trucks and support of cart management for the production team as needed.
• Loading or unloading materials manually, off or onto pallets, platforms, skids, or lifting devices
• Partners with Production Leads and the Quality Coordinator for validation of materials and timing.
• Transporting materials to different locations within the facility.
• Optimizing loads to ensure operational efficiency.
• Securing loads to the machine before transportation.
• Report any faulty equipment, damage to racks, or other potential safety hazards.
• Removes and manually tracks unused or surplus materials at the end of a production run.
• Packing cushions when time allows.Follow all safety guidelines; especially for glad hand locks, dock locks, wheel chocks, PPE, lifting techniques, and housekeeping.

Skills

Forklift operation

Basic math

Stand for 3 hours

Communication skills

Team player

Willing to learn

Tools

SAP

PLM

Job description

• Feeds the production line and manually tracks the delivery of materials with a forklift.
• Put-away of finished goods or raw materials.
• Timely loading and unloading of trucks and support of cart management for the production team as needed.
• Loading or unloading materials manually, off or onto pallets, platforms, skids, or lifting devices
• Partners with Production Leads and the Quality Coordinator for validation of materials and timing.
• Transporting materials to different locations within the facility.
• Optimizing loads to ensure operational efficiency.
• Securing loads to the machine before transportation.
• Report any faulty equipment, damage to racks, or other potential safety hazards.
• Removes and manually tracks unused or surplus materials at the end of a production run.
• Packing cushions when time allows.
• Follow all safety guidelines; especially for glad hand locks, dock locks, wheel chocks, PPE, lifting techniques, and housekeeping.

Employees starting in the material handler – front-end production role have the opportunity to explore other roles within the organization such as warehouse support, inventory support, back-end production support, production, or quality.

Description

Primary Responsibilities:

• Feeds the production line and manually tracks the delivery of materials with a forklift.
• Put-away of finished goods or raw materials.
• Timely loading and unloading of trucks and support of cart management for the production team as needed.
• Loading or unloading materials manually, off or onto pallets, platforms, skids, or lifting devices
• Partners with Production Leads and the Quality Coordinator for validation of materials and timing.
• Transporting materials to different locations within the facility.
• Optimizing loads to ensure operational efficiency.
• Securing loads to the machine before transportation.
• Report any faulty equipment, damage to racks, or other potential safety hazards.
• Removes and manually tracks unused or surplus materials at the end of a production run.
• Packing cushions when time allows.Follow all safety guidelines; especially for glad hand locks, dock locks, wheel chocks, PPE, lifting techniques, and housekeeping.

Required Skills:

• Basic counting and math skills.
• Ability to push/pull up to 50lbs.
• Ability to stand/walk/bend/stoop up to 3 hours at a stretch.
• Strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills; written documentation and tracking of materials; verbal interaction with multiple individuals at various levels within the organization.
• Flexible; must be willing to “learn as you go” and have a “can do” attitude.
• Self-starter: must be willing to ask questions and speak up if something doesn’t make sense or seems out of place.
• Team player: must be willing to pitch in to assist team members with other duties as requested.
• One (1) year of experience operating a forklift preferred.

Training Provided:

• Safety – day one
• PLM (optional or future date)
• SAP (optional or future date)
• Forklift Certification or Recertification – day one
• Handheld Scanning Technology (as needed)
• Use of Automated Case Sealers and Conveyers (as needed)
• Packing Techniques (as needed)

Growth Opportunities:

Employees starting in the material handler – front-end production role have the opportunity to explore other roles within the organization such as warehouse support, inventory support, back-end production support, production, or quality.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts
• 401k
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional)

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin® and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.