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 new SunOpta Plant in Midlothian, TX.
• Shift: This will be a Day Shift position,12 hour shift, 6am-6:30 pm on a 2-2-3 pattern. Some flexibility may be needed.
• Physical Demands: May occasionally lift up to 50 lbs. May also stand for extended periods of time.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.