Description (objectives of the position):
The Industrial Power Equipment Operator is responsible for safely operating warehouse equipment to move, store, load, and organize fresh produce within a fast-paced warehouse environment. This role supports receiving, inventory control, order selection, shipping, and overall warehouse efficiency while maintaining food safety and workplace safety standards.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Operate industrial warehouse equipment including:
- Electric pallet jacks
- Forklifts
- Scissor lift
- Reach trucks
- Stand-up riders
- Order pickers
- Load and unload produce shipments from trucks and trailers.
- Move pallets of produce to designated storage areas, coolers, staging zones, and shipping docks.
- Accurately pick, stack, wrap, and prepare customer orders for shipment.
- Inspect products for damage, quality concerns, and proper labeling.
- Maintain inventory accuracy using RF scanners or warehouse management systems (WMS).
- Follow FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory rotation procedures.
- Perform daily pre-shift safety inspections on powered industrial equipment.
- Maintain clean and organized work areas in accordance with sanitation and food safety requirements.
- Comply with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and GMP/Food Safety standards.
- Assist with cycle counts and physical inventories as needed.
- Work in refrigerated and cold storage environments.
Other Responsibilities:
- Aligning with OSHA safety standards and PPE usage.
- Performs daily Equipment Verification Checklist.
- Follows all safety and health guidelines relevant to the food industry.
- Required to follow all Quality System Management requirements for this position and facility operations.
- Required to comply with and ensure all general safety, OSHA, USDA/APHIS, FDA and State of Texas regulations for position and facility operations.
- Adhere to all instructions related to Food Defense, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and HACCP programs.
- Maintain compliance with the Quality and Food Safety Management System, aligning with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
- Follow all GMP protocols to uphold proper manufacturing practices and hygiene standards.
- Ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to maintain consistency, safety, and quality.
- Immediately report deviations or concerns regarding food safety, product quality, or workplace safety to the supervisor.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and hygienic work environment at all times.
- Actively participate in all Food Safety, Quality, and Safety-related training sessions and initiatives.
Qualifications (specific requirements needed to be qualified for the position)
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Previous warehouse or produce handling experience preferred.
- At least one year of experience operating powered industrial equipment required or willingness to train.
- Industrial Equipment Operator certification preferred.
- Ability to safely lift up to 50–75 pounds regularly.
- Ability to work in cold temperatures for extended periods.
- Basic math and inventory skills.
- Strong attention to detail and safety awareness.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Knowledge of produce handling and perishables management.
- Experience with RF scanners and warehouse software.
- Strong attendance and reliability.
- Ability to work efficiently under productivity standard
- Willing to support other co-workers by moving boxes to and from the conveyor if needed.
Other Requirements:
- Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
- Experience with cross-docking and high-volume distribution.
- Experience using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for data tracking, reporting, and operational support.
- Demonstrated sense of urgency.
- Solid understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Strong common sense and the ability to follow both simple and complex instructions effectively.
- Highly detail-oriented, well-organized, and adaptable to dynamic work environments.
- Proven collaboration and relationship-building skills across teams and departments.
- Strong attention to detail and quality.
- Energetic and flexible team player with a positive, can-do attitude.
- High level of initiative; thrives in both independent and team-based settings.
- Communicates effectively and establishes strong channels of communication with all relevant stakeholders.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements: (Describe whether exposed to chemicals, indoor or outdoor conditions, confined spaces, heights or other specific work area characteristics).
- Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
- The role involves a combination of work in a standard office setting and time spent outdoors or in the facility.
- Frequent activities include sitting, standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, grasping with hands and fingers, climbing or balancing, and lifting objects up to 50 pounds.
- Physical demands include bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, climbing, squatting, crawling, and kneeling.
- Regular use of computers, telephones, and writing instruments is required.
- A significant portion of time is spent in refrigerated environments, requiring prolonged standing and walking.
- The employee may occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts and facility vehicles.
- The operational area is typically loud, while the office environment ranges from quiet to moderately noisy.
- Must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Requires clear communication abilities, including the capacity to detect, discern, and hear in a noisy industrial environment.
- Requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus for the operation, inspection, and monitoring of equipment and systems.
- Regular exposure to low permissible levels of ionizing radiation; therefore, this role is not suitable for individuals with pacemakers or certain medical implants.
- Must be able and willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and rotating or varying shifts as business needs demand.
- This position requires constant work in a refrigerated environment with an average temperature of 41°F.