Utility - Forklift Operator 1st Shift

At Russell Stover
, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the 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 to bring happiness to generations.

Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company‑owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy.

As a Forklift Operator
, you will play a key role in ensuring the efficient movement of materials and finished products throughout our facility. Your primary responsibilities include transporting materials to work areas, moving finished goods to storage, and returning unused materials to their designated locations. You will also be tasked with placing pallet tops, banding and shrink‑wrapping skids, moving trash bales, loading trash trailers, and using scanning equipment to accurately track inventory movement and ensure proper placement in storage.

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 put away products into storage locations.
• Verifying and maintaining inventory.
• Performing routine inventory counts to ensure accuracy and maintain proper stock levels.
• Issuing products to the 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 maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Completing and following FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly reporting and taking appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non‑conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contributing to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.

8‑hour shifts Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. During peak season overtime may be required.

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently.
• 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 pass forklift certification training (within the first week).
• Ottawa certification (may be required).

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

• Safety First:
  Your well‑being is our top priority, and we’ve got you covered with protective gear.
• Surroundings:
  Work alongside cutting‑edge equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and chocolate candy banks/steels.
• Active & Engaging Work:
  Whether you’re on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there’s never a dull moment.
• Comfortable Climate:
  In most roles, you will be comfortable year‑round with our climate‑controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells:
  The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate.
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene,…