Shipping Forklift Operator

Shipping Forklift Operator

The Shipping Forklift Operator safely and efficiently moves, stores, loads, and unloads products, packaging materials, and warehouse inventory throughout the facility. This role supports production and shipping operations by ensuring materials and finished goods are delivered accurately and on time while maintaining a clean, organized, and safety-focused work environment.

• Operate stand-up and sit-down forklifts, including stand-up reach forklifts, to move pallets, bags, and large shipping bins throughout the shipping department and warehouse.
• Lift and place pallets and bags up to approximately 40 feet high in racking systems, ensuring secure and accurate placement.
• Load and unload trucks and other transport vehicles safely and efficiently, following all site procedures.
• Support shipping and receiving activities by staging, organizing, and moving materials and finished goods to designated locations.
• Perform inventory-related tasks, including cycle counts, to maintain accurate stock levels and proper documentation.
• Use RF scanners to track, scan, and update inventory movements within the warehouse and cold storage areas.
• Work in cold storage environments at approximately 32 degrees, handling products such as peppers and garlic while maintaining productivity and safety.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area, including keeping aisles, racking, and staging areas clear and orderly.
• Follow all safety protocols and equipment operating procedures, including proper use of personal protective equipment and adherence to facility rules.
• Collaborate with production and shipping teams to ensure materials and products are available when needed and that orders ship on time.
• Participate in training at one facility and then transition to work at another plant as assigned, adapting to different layouts and workflows.
• Report any equipment issues, safety hazards, or inventory discrepancies to the appropriate personnel in a timely manner.

Essential Skills

• Proven forklift experience, including stand-up forklift operation in a shipping or warehouse environment.
• Experience operating reach lift equipment and working with racking systems up to approximately 40 feet high.
• Hands-on experience handling pallets, large shipping bins, and similar materials in a shipping or distribution setting.
• Experience in shipping and receiving operations, including loading, unloading, and staging materials.
• Experience with inventory control activities such as cycle counts and stock verification.
• Ability to use RF scanners for tracking inventory and documenting material movements.
• Comfort working in cold storage environments at approximately 32 degrees.
• Ability to work safely around strong food odors and "spicy" or "hot" products such as peppers.
• Capability to train on a first-shift schedule and then transition to a second-shift schedule (approximately 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.).
• Ability to follow safety procedures, maintain organization, and work effectively in a fast-paced shipping environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bilingual communication skills are a plus.
• Prior experience working in food-related warehousing or cold storage environments is beneficial.
• Familiarity with both stand-up and sit-down forklift types in a shipping department is advantageous.

Why Work Here?

You join a production and shipping operation where safety, organization, and teamwork are central to daily work. The role offers the opportunity to build and apply strong forklift and inventory skills in a structured environment with clear processes and expectations. You receive hands-on training at one facility before transitioning to another, allowing you to become familiar with different layouts and operations while contributing to a stable, ongoing workflow.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Shafter, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.25 - $21.75/hr eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Shafter, CA.

Final date to receive applications

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 22, 2026.