Shipping & Receiving Forklift Operator

District Council of Madison Inc., Society of St. Vincent de Paul•Madison, WI

5h•Onsite

About The Position

The Shipping & Receiving Forklift Operator is a key member of the Operations Team responsible for supporting daily warehouse shipping and receiving functions. This position assists with sorting, handling, and redistributing donated items, maintaining warehouse inventory, loading and unloading trailers, and ensuring a safe and efficient work environment. The role is hands-on and directly contributes to productivity and smooth operations across St. Vincent de Paul facilities (SVdP). Daily assignments will rotate based on staffing and operational needs. An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Requirements

Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with diverse staff, customers, and volunteers.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and sound judgment under pressure.
Commitment to SVdP’s mission, teamwork, equity, belonging, and Vincentian virtues.
Reliable attendance and punctuality are required.
Participate in the SVdP Drug & Alcohol Testing Program for Safety Sensitive Positions (including pre-employment and post-incident testing).
Able to meet and maintain production quotas in all assigned areas
Must have access to reliable transportation to home location as well as other facility locations as needed for training.
Ability to assess donation quality and appropriately sort items for resale, recycling, or disposal.
Perform basic mathematical calculations, the ability to prioritize and execute responsibilities, and use critical thinking skills necessary for sound decision-making. In addition, this position requires familiarity with basic computer skills.
Knowledge of POS systems, Windows operating system, Microsoft Office Suite and Google applications required.
Must have the ability to work with a culturally and socially diverse population as represented by the employees, customers, and clients of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Frequently sit, stand, walk, talk and hear, use hands to handle or touch products, tools, or controls.
Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds independently and occasionally lift/move up to 75 lbs with assistance from equipment or another person.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Maintain focus and follow detailed instructions and work autonomously on assigned job duties
Employees must be able to work assigned shifts consistently and reliably
Work in environments (Thrift Store and Processing Center) that may contain dust, debris, or allergens associated with pre-owned goods, certain facility areas may be partially climate controlled.
High School diploma or equivalent

Nice To Haves

Previous Forklift experience preferred or willingness to train through the company program
6 – 12 months warehouse experience preferred

Responsibilities

Perform general warehouse and production tasks, including sorting, organizing, and processing donated goods for redistribution to retail stores or recycling outlets.
Safely and efficiently load and unload trailers and trucks, including donation trailers, recycling trailers, and rag trucks.
Operate forklifts and other warehouse equipment in compliance with SVdP safety standards and required certifications.
Assist in maintaining accurate inventory counts across warehouse spaces and tracking of incoming and outgoing materials.
Properly identify, handle, and store all incoming hazardous materials properly in compliance with safety and waste management procedures.
Support recycling and waste reduction initiatives by identifying, sorting, and processing materials according to company guidelines.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment by following established safety protocols and promptly reporting hazards.
Perform basic facility upkeep and communicate maintenance concerns to supervisors, managers or facilities staff.
Collaborate with team members to meet production goals and adapt to shifting priorities.
Participate in required safety and operational training.
Rotate through different production areas based on daily staffing and operational needs.
Perform additional tasks and duties as assigned to support warehouse and processing operations.
Models professional, service-oriented behavior and foster a culture of teamwork, equity, and inclusion.
Address and resolve issues with customers, donors, vendors, and staff using effective communication and de-escalation skills; escalate unresolved issues to the Processing Center Manager or SDRO/ADRO (Sr. Director of Retail Operations/Assistant Director of Retail Operations).
Communicate facility and equipment maintenance problems to the Processing Center Manager, Facilities and Safety Manager to provide a safe and clean working environment that complies with all state and local building and fire codes while implementing safety policies through training, reporting safety hazards, and correcting unsafe employee practices
Work alongside staff to maximize productivity and promote collaboration.
Perform any tasks needed to keep the work area neat and orderly/maintain a safe work environment in all warehouse spaces and departments
Work in any assigned production areas as needed
Perform additional tasks as assigned to support warehouse and processing operations.
Location assignments are subject to change to meet operational needs and aid with staff training and development.