Forklift Operator-Cooler

Department: Plant Cooler Reports To: Supervisor or Cooler Manager Location: Hammond, LA FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, Thrift, Life Insurance Shift (if applicable): Two Shifts (Day and Night available) Working overtime, weekends, and holidays may be required.

Position Overview

This position is essential for ensuring the efficient operation of our facility. This role involves the preparation and loading of trucks with products to ensure that all items are handled with care and accuracy. This position contributes significantly to our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

The Cooler Loadout/General Labor Associate shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: Executes warehouse department orders and packaging of shipments Loads and unloads material onto or from pallets, trays, racks, and shelves. Move products & materials within the facility. Follows all company policies and procedures regarding GMPs, SOPs, Quality standards, and OSHA regulation.

Pulls stacks of product from refrigerated trailer and/or pallets. Load stacks of products onto refrigerated route trucks. Conduct routine inspections of equipment to ensure proper functioning and mechanical knowledge. Keep accurate records on load sheets, inventory sheets, scrap sheets Handle materials with care, ensuring that heavy lifting is performed safely and in accordance with company policies.

Maintain cleanliness and organization of the work area to promote safety and efficiency. Assist in inventory management by tracking product levels and reporting discrepancies. Collaborate with team members to meet daily production goals and deadlines. Follow all safety guidelines and protocols to ensure a safe working environment and delivery of products in optimal condition.

Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent. The applicant must be 18 years of age. Experience in warehouse setting, particularly in roles involving order picking and material handling. Experience with operating forklifts and other warehouse equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of OSHA regulations related to warehouse operations. Mechanical knowledge is beneficial for troubleshooting equipment issues. Required Skills/Abilities: Ability to work well with others. Ability to work in a safe and clean area. Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner. Ability to fill out daily reports.

Required Soft Skills: Ability to work without direct supervision. Excellent verbal communication skills. Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills. Coachable and willing to learn. Must be able to follow both verbal and written instructions. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Competency Must be able to read and write English and perform basic math calculations.

Effective time management skills to achieve results through prioritizing demands. Demonstrates critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills. Strong attention-to-detail and organizational skills. Must demonstrate proficiency in essential tasks and a willingness to learn. Working Conditions (S)he may be required to work in outside weather for the duration of the shift in the staging and loading of trailers.

May be required to stack and unstack items weighing 50 pounds from a height of approximately seven feet to the ground and back continually for the duration of the shift. Must be able to work in both very hot (more than 100 degrees) and very cold (less than 20 degrees below zero) and in a very wet and humid environment for extended periods of time.

About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.” We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 500+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission: To produce dairy products of the highest quality To conduct our business with professional integrity To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees, and communities EEO Statement Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.

is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.