Forklift Operator

Overview

At Russell Stover, we love chocolate and our jobs. We value excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Russell Stover Chocolates is a leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, with legacy brands in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts.

Join our team and help make chocolate lovers happy!

As a Forklift Operator
, you will help ensure the efficient movement of materials and finished products throughout the facility. Your responsibilities include transporting materials to work areas, moving finished goods to storage, and returning unused materials to designated locations. You will also place pallet tops, band and shrink-wrap skids, move trash bales, and load trash trailers. You will use scanning equipment to track inventory movement and ensure proper storage placement.

Maintaining accurate counts and entering data into the system is essential. Other duties may include maintaining the printer for the shrink wrapper, managing ribbons and labels, assisting with loading and unloading trucks, and supporting plant management with additional tasks as needed.

• Operating machinery in a safe and proficient manner according to standards, guidelines, and instructions.
• Unloading and loading trailers.
• Using handheld scanners to receive orders and store products in correct locations.
• Verifying and maintaining inventory.
• Performing routine inventory counts to ensure accuracy and proper stock levels.
• Issuing products to production lines.
• Consolidating product as needed.
• Keeping the area clean and organized to be audit ready.
• Adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and food safety compliance.
• Completing FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly reporting and taking action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor.
• Actively contributing to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with the role.

This job posting is not all inclusive; other duties may be assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Must be able to operate and maintain a forklift.
• Strong numerical skills with the ability to perform basic math calculations accurately.
• Able to perform quality control checks.
• Ability to work overtime.
• Must be able to pass forklift certification training (within the first week).
• Ontario certification may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 or more years’ experience operating a forklift.
• Experience operating a handheld scanner.
• A passion for learning.

• Safety First: Your well-being is our priority. We provide protective gear and GMP training; daily safety tips keep you informed.
• Surroundings: Work with automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and dynamic environments.
• Active & Engaging Work: Be on your feet, move around, climb ladders, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Comfortable Climate: Climate-controlled environment in most roles.
• Appealing Smells: Chocolate aroma throughout the plant.
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): GMP-focused dress code for safety and hygiene.
• Allergens: May be exposed to ingredients that are common food allergens.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we celebrate difference and are an equal-opportunity workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Employment is contingent upon I-9 verification, drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.