Stand Up Forklift Operator

Job Title:

Stand Up Forklift Operator

This role operates stand-up forklifts to accurately pick, receive, store, and ship products in a cold storage manufacturing environment. You will support key quality, safety, food safety, and environmental systems while working efficiently in freezer and warehouse areas and ensuring all materials move safely and correctly through the facility.

• Operate a stand up forklift (Crown preferred) to pick customer and production orders accurately and safely.
• Receive incoming product and materials accurately, verifying quantities and condition according to established procedures.
• Ensure all products and materials are properly stored, stacked, and organized in designated warehouse and freezer locations.
• Load outbound trailers safely and efficiently, securing product to prevent damage during transport.
• Unload inbound trucks and move materials to appropriate storage or staging areas.
• Conduct and assist with inventory cycle counts to maintain accurate stock levels and records.
• Follow and support the implementation of the Quality Management System, Food Safety Management System, Safety Management System, and Environmental Management System within the facility.
• Report equipment issues, safety concerns, and process deviations promptly to supervisors or managers.
• Operate effectively and consistently in extremely cold environments, including freezer storage areas.
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and all facility policies related to cleanliness, safety, and product handling.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area, including proper handling of pallets, wrapping, and storage materials.

• 1 to 2 years of stand up forklift experience in a manufacturing or warehouse environment (Crown forklifts preferred) and loading/unloading activities.
• Proven experience with loading, unloading, and stacking pallets and materials safely.
• Hands‑on cycle counting experience in a warehouse or inventory environment.
• Ability to work effectively in extremely cold environments, including cold storage and freezer areas.
• High school education or completion of a technical school program.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in a regulated environment.
• Strong attention to detail when receiving, storing, and shipping products.

• Experience working in freezer or cold storage environments.
• SAP or similar system experience for documentation and inventory transactions.
• Food safety experience in a manufacturing or warehouse setting.
• Comfort working with formal quality, safety, food safety, and environmental management systems.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast‑paced warehouse environment.

You will join a highly regulated, safety‑focused operation that invests in proper equipment and protective gear so you can perform at your best. The facility emphasizes strong quality, food safety, and environmental standards, giving you the chance to build valuable, transferable skills in a professional warehouse and manufacturing setting. You will work with heated forklifts and provided cold‑weather gear, supporting your comfort while you develop your experience in inventory control, cold storage logistics, and modern warehouse systems.

This position operates in a cold storage and freezer storage environment for part of the shift, requiring consistent comfort with low temperatures. The forklifts used are heated to improve operator comfort. The facility follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and formal quality, food safety, safety, and environmental management systems. Team members must wear steel toe shoes and comply with all safety and GMP requirements.

Winter hats, gloves, and coats are provided, and employees may also bring their own cold‑weather gear as needed. Work is performed in a manufacturing warehouse setting with regular loading and unloading of trailers, movement between ambient and freezer areas, and use of stand up Crown forklifts and related material handling equipment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of CHICAGO, IL.

The pay range for this…