Forklift Operator - Cold Storage

Bowman Andros Products•Mount Jackson, VA

7h•$20 - $24

About The Position

The Cold Storage Forklift Operator is responsible for safely loading, unloading, and moving bins of apples within or near the Cold Storage work area. The role supports smooth, continuous, and efficient production operations and organized, safe product storage. The operator prepares and moves orders for storage or shipment to the juice room or Sauce Plant, operates a forklift to handle trucks and trailers, and helps maintain accurate inventory and product quality. The position reports to the Fruits Quality Control & Storage Manager.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Regular and reliable attendance.
External candidates must have six months of prior forklift-operating experience, including both sit-down and stand-up lifts.
Internal candidates must be able to obtain forklift certification within 30 days of placement in the position.
Ability to learn apple varieties and blends to ensure trucks are loaded properly.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities change quickly.
Willingness to work as part of a team.
Willingness to work occasional overtime as required.
Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions.
Ability to work unsupervised as well as in a team environment.
Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and regularly get on and off a forklift.
Ability to meet the physical demands of standing, walking, handling or feeling objects, reaching, seeing, talking, hearing, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, and crouching.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in a noisy work environment.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of experience operating vehicles in a production or warehousing environment.
Prior experience operating a forklift, including both sit-down and stand-up lifts.

Responsibilities

Pull and prepare orders from written or verbal instructions, identifying the apple varieties to be loaded and shipped or unloaded and stored.
Move bins of apples between storage and loading sites in designated staging areas.
Attach identifying tags or labels to apple bins as required.
Safely and efficiently use a forklift to load and unload trucks and trailers and place products in the correct storage areas.
Stack and store products in appropriate areas.
Ensure inbound and outbound shipments are accurate and undamaged, and report quality issues to a supervisor.
Use First In, First Out and other inventory-rotation practices to prevent product waste.
Follow HACCP and OSHA safety policies, including completing pre- and post-operation forklift inspection checklists.
Assist with monitoring and maintaining company inventory, including daily, monthly, and annual inventory and cycle counts.
Assist with other Cold Storage duties during slow production days as needed.
Maintain a clean, neat, orderly, and secure work area and facility.
Perform other duties as required.