Forklift Operator- Expert
Listed on 2026-07-20
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Manufacturing / Production
Forklift Operator, Material Handler, Manufacturing & Industrial Operations
Overview
Title:
Forklift Operator Expert
Salary Range: $25.50 Hourly
Status:
Non-Exempt
•
Shifts:
B Shift, Monday – Saturday
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Location:
Salinas, CA
General description / primary purpose: A skilled and reliable forklift operator to safely and efficiently handle material movement within the facility with experience using a scan gun. Responsibilities include operating forklifts to load, unload, and move materials, conducting equipment inspections, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace. The ideal candidate has forklift experience, knowledge of safety procedures, the ability to meet deadlines, and strong attention to detail.
MajorResponsibilities and Tasks
- Blending – Wash and sanitize all plastic cull, trash and recycled bins; pull start-up pallets into the blending area; rotate and stage raw products; manage empty cull/pallets and trash; dispose of waste and maintain organized blending areas; cover unused partial pallets at shift end.
- Material Issuance – Rotate and organize Box 3; issue raw products to the plant per issuance SOP; unload pallets and other items; load material for growers and for transports; stage start-up raw product for next day; assist in bagging raw products; rotate pallets and RPCs to open space for inbound deliveries; maintain yard cleanliness near dumpsters.
- Packaging – Receive packaging inbound, unload trucks safely, stock packaging materials and labels; perform inventory activities and provide updates to Inventory/Receiving Manager; monitor inventory (including pallets/RPCs); communicate potential stock-outs and issues; rotate packaging materials with FIFO.
- Pack Out – Stock materials for production pre-start-up; manage incoming/outgoing trays, lids, cartons, trash bins, and empty pallets; move completed finished goods pallets to the correct location; manage pack-out operations.
- Receiving – Unload raw materials from trucks with a forklift, weigh pallets, verify counts against BOL/PO, report discrepancies; tag pallets; ensure cooled raw material; rotate stock using FIFO; stage raw product for transfer to Co-Packer(s).
- Shipping / Pre-Stage – Operate scanner gun for picking and rotating finished goods; pull and build pallets for customer orders with accurate counts and documentation; follow special ticket instructions; meet order picking efficiency standards.
- Load Trucks – Perform trailer pre-inspection; load orders, verify counts with Pick Tickets, and document quantities using a handheld scanner.
- Rotation – Move finished product from Production to warehouse; observe production schedule; perform cycle counts and update inventory sheets.
- 12 Pallet / Tube Operation – Scan start-up product to PRDIN; manage start-up product and cooling operations; maintain documentation for all activity, including cooling tube and forklift operations.
- Prior forklift experience in a manufacturing plant with scan gun proficiency and pre-staging.
- Ability to demonstrate forklift driving proficiency for loading/unloading and material placement.
- Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration norms.
- English and/or Spanish literacy; bilingual preferred.
- Ability to read, write, and interpret work-related documents, safety rules, and operating instructions.
- Ability to perform other duties as required by business needs and management discretion.
- Regularly stand, walk, use hands, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear.
- Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities, including distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment; able to operate a handheld scanning device.
- Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- High School diploma or GED preferred.
- Experience in a fresh vegetable or food processing plant is a plus.
- Forklift certification preferred; organic girl will certify employees where applicable.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. Applicant rights under Federal Employment Laws are provided here: FMLA (English/Spanish), EEOC, EPPA, USERRA.
Department:
Distribution
• This is a non-management, full-time position.
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