Forklift Operator/Freeze Dry

Reports to: Warehouse Supervisor Department: Warehouse Schedule: Thursday to Saturday ( Alternating Wednesdays), 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for transporting, staging, and loading freeze dried fruits and vegetables using forklifts throughout production and warehouse facilities. Verifies and keeps records on incoming and outgoing shipments and prepares items for shipment and production by performing duties to quality and productivity standards.

Must be able to identify product and multiple lot codes. Compares identifying information and counts, weighs, or measures items of incoming and outgoing product to verify information against bills of lading, orders, or other records. Put away or stage product in assigned product bay or location. Verifies temperature of all incoming product.

Determines labeling requirements including but not limited to: Assemble and pack product containers, preparing and affixing labels on packed containers in an accurate manner. Proper operation of equipment to safety and productivity requirements. Unpacks, examines, routes incoming shipments, rejects damaged items, and records shortages.

Maintains inventory of shipping materials and supplies. Must be able to understand quality standards, methods and reporting as required. Proper use of safety devices, such as lock-out, as required. Performs other related duties and assignments as required. COMPETENCIES: Living Mercer Values Demonstrates the characteristics and behaviors of an individual who is living Mercer's values.

Mercer's values are accountability, continuous improvement, integrity, personal growth and wellness, teamwork, and work-life balance. Attendance Attendance is essential in demonstrating dependability. A reliable team member is on time for all scheduled shifts and is present as scheduled. Any team member with two or more active steps of discipline for attendance does not meet expectations of position.

Performance Demonstrates the skills and abilities to perform his or her job. Any team member with two or more active steps of discipline for any combination of disciplinary actions does not meet expectations of position. Safety Good judgement is demonstrated at all times to maintain a safe work environment. Any team member with two or more active steps of discipline for safety related incidents does not meet expectations of position.

Training Current training is an indication of job preparedness from a safety, job skills, and food safety perspective. An employee that has completed all training expectations throughout the year as it pertains to his or her job requirements demonstrates that he or she meets the expectations of his or her position. A person that has past due trainings does not meet the expectations of his or her position.

SKILLS: Accuracy Ensure vendor invoices are three way matched with correct purchase orders and receiving documents. When there is no purchase order, ensure the correct general ledger account coding is used, and proper approvals are obtained. Attention to Detail Completes tasks efficiently and accurately while paying close attention to detail.

Basic Machine Operations Must be familiar with the basic machine functions and operations. Communication Possesses strong communication skills and can explain complex concepts in ways everyone can understand. Is often seen as having strong interpersonal skills. Continuous Improvement Design, roadmap and continuous process/control improvement plans, leading implementation of both, including application/system change management for increased efficiency and effectiveness of processes or data.

Critical Thinking Forms good judgement when evaluating situations and reacting accordingly. Cross-train Seek to gain and pass knowledge amongst team members by training to skills and tasks. Priorities Identifying and aligning priorities with business vision, mission, and values while achieving objectives. Product Knowledge Demonstrates good working knowledge of product numbers and product usage and understand applications for use.

Product Movement Safely transport raw and processed materials to designated areas. Product Staging Stage product in assigned product bay or location. Production Paperwork Complete paperwork, print labels and complete task in Process Pro system. Production Tracking Tracks production on schedule boards, computers, and / or Mercer Foods documentation.

Productivity Balances quality, productivity, cost, safety and morale to achieve positive results in all areas. Works to continuously improve in all areas. Quality Standards Must be able to understand quality standards, methods and reporting as required. Record Keeping Maintain data records on the computer system. Safe Work Habits Proper use of safety devices, such as lock-out, and maintaining a clean, sanitary, and safe work area.

REQUIREMENTS

Requires a high school diploma/GED. Forklift Certification - will be certified by a Mercer Foods authorized team member. Experience of at least 1 year driving a forklift or similar operating equipment. The ability to read, write, mathematically compute, and operate a computer using basic functions is required. Requires the ability to maintain motivation and to work independently and as part of a team.

FOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Place high priority on food safety, quality, and sanitation by understanding and executing Mercer Food’s food safety and sanitation policies and procedures. Hold self and others accountable to Mercer Foods food safety & sanitation guidelines and policies by communicating any food safety incident, observation, or opportunity to your leadership team or teammates.

In the absence of Lead, serves as back up to ensure all food safety, quality objectives and SQF system requirements are met. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and some fine finger dexterity.

Generally, the job requires the following percentages of time committed to physical activity: 50% or more sitting, 50% or more walking, and 50% or more standing. The job is performed under frequent temperature variations and in a food manufacturing production environment. Unrestricted visual and audio abilities are required for the safety of all employees.

The ability to lift to 40 lbs. is required.