Department: Warehouse / Logistics Reports To: Warehouse Supervisor FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Union Position) Location: Hauppauge, NY Revision Year: 2026 Position Summary The Forklift Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating powered industrial trucks and material-handling equipment to receive, move, store, stage, and load raw materials, packaging materials, and finished goods throughout the facility. This position supports Production, Warehouse, Shipping, and Receiving operations by ensuring materials are properly handled, accurately identified, and transported to designated locations while maintaining inventory accuracy, product traceability, and compliance with company safety and food safety requirements. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Safely operate forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and other authorized material-handling equipment.
- Load and unload incoming and outgoing trailers in accordance with established procedures.
- Transport raw materials, ingredients, packaging materials, and finished goods between receiving, storage, production, and shipping areas.
- Stage materials for production based on established schedules and operational requirements.
- Move completed products from production areas to designated warehouse storage locations.
- Verify material identification, item numbers, lot numbers, quantities, and product condition during material movements.
- Properly stack, secure, and store pallets to prevent product damage, contamination, or unsafe conditions.
- Follow established inventory rotation procedures, including First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expired, First Out (FEFO), as applicable.
- Perform inventory transactions using NetSuite, scanners, or other designated systems, as assigned.
- Assist with cycle counts, physical inventories, and inventory reconciliation activities.
- Identify and report damaged products, incorrect quantities, missing labels, or inventory discrepancies.
- Ensure products designated as on hold, rejected, or otherwise restricted are not moved or used contrary to established procedures.
- Maintain proper separation of raw materials, packaging materials, finished goods, allergens, and other designated inventory categories.
- Complete required forklift pre-use inspections and immediately report equipment defects or unsafe conditions.
- Maintain warehouse aisles, storage areas, loading docks, and workstations in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
- Follow established procedures for trailer inspections, dock safety, trailer restraints, and loading activities.
- Communicate material shortages, damaged inventory, equipment issues, and operational delays to Warehouse leadership.
- Assist with general warehouse duties when not operating material-handling equipment, as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Food Safety & Quality Responsibilities
- Follow applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), SQF requirements, HACCP-based food safety procedures, and company policies.
- Handle and transport materials in a manner that prevents contamination, cross-contact, damage, and deterioration.
- Maintain product identification, lot information, and traceability throughout material movement and storage.
- Follow established allergen segregation and material-handling procedures.
- Verify that materials are placed in designated storage locations and maintained under appropriate conditions.
- Immediately report damaged packaging, product spills, pest activity, contamination concerns, or other conditions that may affect food safety or quality.
- Follow established procedures for handling and segregating nonconforming or restricted inventory.
- Do not use, ship, or release products placed on Quality Assurance hold without appropriate authorization.
- Support traceability exercises, inventory investigations, and audit activities as assigned.
- Maintain clean and sanitary forklifts and material-handling equipment in accordance with company procedures.
- Support the Company's commitment to producing safe, legal, authentic, and quality food products.
Food Safety Culture All employees are responsible for supporting and promoting the Company's food safety culture. Employees are expected to follow established procedures, report food safety concerns, participate in assigned training, and contribute to the safe handling, storage, and distribution of food products. The Forklift Operator supports the Company's food safety culture by maintaining product integrity, preventing contamination, ensuring accurate material identification, and promptly communicating conditions that may affect food safety or quality. Authority and Responsibility
The Forklift Operator has the authority and responsibility to:
- Stop operating material-handling equipment when unsafe conditions or equipment defects are identified.
- Refuse to operate equipment for which the employee has not received the required training and authorization.
- Report damaged, mislabeled, unidentified, or potentially contaminated materials.
- Pause material movement and request guidance when product identification, inventory status, or handling instructions are unclear.
- Escalate safety, inventory, equipment, and food safety concerns to Warehouse leadership or Quality Assurance.
- Recommend improvements to material-handling practices, warehouse organization, and operational safety.
The Forklift Operator does not have independent authority to release products from Quality Assurance holds.
Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma or GED preferred.
- Equivalent relevant work experience may be considered.
Experience
- Previous forklift operation or warehouse experience preferred.
- Experience in food manufacturing, distribution, or warehouse operations preferred.
- Experience with inventory systems, barcode scanners, or NetSuite preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to safely operate forklifts and other authorized material-handling equipment.
- Understanding of warehouse operations, material movement, and inventory handling.
- Ability to recognize product labels, item numbers, lot numbers, and storage locations.
- Basic mathematical skills for verifying quantities and inventory information.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to workplace safety.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Ability to identify and report inventory discrepancies, damaged materials, and unsafe conditions.
- Ability to work flexible shifts, weekends, and overtime as operational needs require.
Competency Requirements Employees must demonstrate competency in the safe operation of assigned powered industrial trucks and material-handling equipment before operating independently. Competency must be verified through appropriate training, practical evaluation, observation, and documented authorization in accordance with OSHA requirements and company procedures.
Employees must demonstrate the ability to:
- Safely inspect and operate assigned forklifts.
- Properly load, unload, transport, stack, and store materials.
- Follow warehouse traffic, pedestrian safety, and dock procedures.
- Accurately identify and handle materials.
- Follow product traceability, inventory control, and food safety procedures.
- Recognize and report unsafe conditions or equipment deficiencies.
Competency and equipment authorization records shall be maintained in accordance with company training procedures. Training Requirements The Forklift Operator must successfully complete all required company orientation, food safety, safety, and job-specific training programs as assigned. Powered industrial truck operators must receive initial training and evaluation before authorization to operate independently. Refresher training and additional evaluations must be conducted when required by OSHA regulations, including following unsafe operation, an accident or near miss, assignment to a different type of truck, or changes in workplace conditions affecting safe operation. Operator performance must be evaluated at least once every three years in accordance with applicable OSHA requirements. Training requirements, competency expectations, refresher training, and position-specific training matrices shall be maintained in accordance with the Company's Employee Training Requirements Program and applicable departmental procedures. Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to repeatedly mount and dismount forklifts and other equipment.
- Ability to frequently turn, reach, bend, and perform repetitive movements.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as required.
- Ability to push, pull, and maneuver materials using appropriate equipment.
- Ability to maintain sufficient awareness of surrounding equipment, pedestrians, and workplace hazards to operate safely.
- Ability to work in varying temperatures, including refrigerated or freezer environments as assigned.
- Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Work Environment Work is performed primarily in warehouse, receiving, shipping, production support, and loading dock areas. Employees may be exposed to moving forklifts and industrial equipment, pedestrian traffic, elevated storage systems, varying temperatures, food allergens, noise, wet surfaces, and loading dock hazards. Compliance with all company safety, GMP, food safety, warehouse traffic, equipment operation, and PPE requirements is mandatory. Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. Management reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties and responsibilities as business needs require, consistent with applicable collective bargaining agreement provisions.
