Warehouse Associate / Part-Time

Upper Lakes Foods, Inc.; Northfield (MN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Lakes Foods is seeking a warehouse employee to help ensure customers receive the products they ordered. The role involves building orders, moving products with pallet jacks and forklifts, and preparing items for delivery in a busy Minnesota warehouse.

This is a physical, on‑site job that requires standing, bending, lifting up to 50 pounds regularly (and more than 60 occasionally), and working in cold temperatures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; 1–3 months warehouse experience preferred.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally more than 60 pounds.
• Comfortable working in cold environments with noise and moving equipment.
• Willing to work the assigned schedule and be physically active throughout shifts.

Responsibilities

• Build customer orders from load tickets and prepare for delivery.
• Move products using pallet jacks or forklift and ensure safe handling.
• Use warehouse computer system to receive and process orders with accuracy.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area and work as part of a team.

Skills

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Physical stamina

Attention to safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Powered pallet jack

Forklift

Job description

Working at Upper Lakes Foods

The Role

As a warehouse employee at Upper Lakes Foods, your day starts around 1:00 PM and continues until the work is completed. Each day can be a little different depending on the company's workload and business needs.

Your main responsibility is to help make sure customers receive the products they ordered. You will work with trucks, pallets, carts, and warehouse equipment to move products throughout the facility and prepare orders for delivery.

Building Orders

A major part of the job is building customer orders. You will receive load tickets that tell you which products need to be picked and where they need to go.

Using equipment as on powered pallet jack, you will locate products, move them safely, and organize them on onto pallets. The goal is to build accurate orders while working efficiently and safely.

You may also operate a forklift or other powered equipment used throughout the warehouse. Properly operating this equipment is an important part of keeping both employees and products safe.

A Physical Workday

This is an active job where you will spend much of your shift standing and walking. You will frequently bend, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, push, pull, and lift products.

You should be comfortable regularly lifting and moving up to 50 pounds, with occasional lifting or moving of items weighing more than 60 pounds.

Because warehouse work is physical, being able to stay active and maintain a steady pace throughout the shift is important.

Working in the Cold

Upper Lakes Foods handles food products, so the warehouse environment can include freezers, coolers, and dry storage areas.

You may spend long periods working in extremely cold conditions. The workplace can also be noisy and may contain moving mechanical equipment, so paying attention to your surroundings and following safety procedures is essential.

Keeping the Warehouse Safe

A clean and organized warehouse helps everyone do their job safely. Employees are expected to keep their work areas neat, dispose of materials properly, and follow the company’s safety and sanitation requirements.

If you notice a shortage of products or supplies, you may also be responsible for restocking and replenishing them.

Safety isn't just a rule at Upper Lakes Foods. Employees are expected to operate equipment responsibly, follow company and regulatory requirements, and make decisions that protect themselves, their coworkers, the products, and the facility.

Using Technology

Although this is primarily a hands‑on warehouse position, there is also some computer work involved.

Employees use the warehouse computer system to receive and process incoming and outgoing orders. Accuracy is important because the information entered into the system helps keep products and shipments organized.

Working as a Team

Warehouse operations depend on everyone working together. Employees are expected to maintain good working relationships with coworkers, management, the company, and the surrounding community.

Upper Lakes Foods places a strong emphasis on teamwork, respect, integrity, and communication. Everyone plays a part in making sure orders are prepared correctly and customers receive good service.

What Upper Lakes Foods Looks For

The company values people who show up, work hard, and maintain a positive attitude.

Their core values include:

Strong Work Ethic

They believe in hard work, perseverance, and consistency.

Positive Attitude

They want employees who are flexible, cooperative, and willing to work toward successful outcomes.

Integrity

Honesty and doing the right thing are important parts of the workplace.

Teamwork

Employees work together to maintain quality, safety, and good customer service.

Professional Appearance

Employees are expected to maintain good hygiene and a clean, appropriate appearance.

Respectful Interaction

The company strives to provide a workplace where employees are treated fairly and respectfully.

What You Need to Get Started

The basic requirements are straightforward. You need a high school diploma or equivalent and approximately 1–3 months of warehouse experience.

Most importantly, you need to be capable of safely performing the physical duties of the job and be willing to work the assigned schedule.

About Upper Lakes Foods

Upper Lakes Foods is an independent wholesale food distributor based in Minnesota. The company operates facilities in Cloquet and Northfield, Minnesota, as well as Janesville, Wisconsin.

The company distributes food throughout the Upper Midwest and serves customers such as independent restaurants, schools, assisted living facilities, and foodservice chains.

Their overall mission is to create value for their customers, employees, suppliers, and communities by providing quality products, people, and ideas.

The Big Picture

At the end of the day, this job is about keeping the warehouse moving.

You come in, prepare orders, move products, operate warehouse equipment, restock supplies, maintain a clean and safe work environment, and work with your team to make sure everything gets done correctly.

It is a job for someone who doesn't mind physical work, can handle working in cold conditions, follows safety rules, works well with others, and is willing to keep working until the day's orders are finished.

Please see full job description located on the Upper Lakes Foods Website.

Final candidates are required to successfully complete a background check, pre-employment lift evaluations (if applicable) and pre-employment drug screening prior to their employment start date.
All offers of employment are conditional and contingent upon the Company's receipt of satisfactory results from a comprehensive background investigation and a negative result on a pre-employment lift evaluation and drug screen.
Failure to successfully complete either requirement may result in withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal, state, and local law.