2nd Shift Forklift

Urban Farmer LLC•Manteno, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Forklift Driver plays a critical role in supporting Urban Farmer’s warehouse and production operations by safely and efficiently moving raw materials, packaging supplies, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods throughout the facility. This role ensures accurate material flow, supports uninterrupted production and shipping schedules, and maintains strict compliance with safety, food safety, and quality standards. In addition to operating forklifts and powered industrial equipment, the Forklift Driver supports inventory accuracy, documentation, and general warehouse activities in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum 2–3 years of forklift operation experience in a warehouse or manufacturing setting.
Ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal work instructions, safety procedures, and company policies.
Prior forklift or powered industrial equipment experience required; certification required or willingness to obtain certification upon hire.
Working knowledge of warehouse operations, material handling, and basic shipping/receiving processes.
Strong attention to detail with the ability to verify product information and complete documentation accurately.
Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Demonstrated ability to work at a steady pace in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
Strong hand-eye coordination and motor skills required for safe equipment operation.
Reliable attendance and accountability.

Responsibilities

Safely operate forklifts and powered industrial equipment to transport raw ingredients, packaging materials, WIP, and finished goods throughout production, warehouse, cooler, and freezer areas.
Support continuous manufacturing operations by staging, delivering, and removing materials according to daily production schedules.
Load and unload inbound and outbound shipments while verifying product identity, quantities, lot codes, expiration dates, and documentation.
Transport temperature-sensitive materials promptly to designated refrigerated or frozen storage to maintain cold-chain integrity.
Accurately record all material movements using required paperwork and warehouse management systems to maintain real-time inventory accuracy.
Ensure all material movements are scanned and recorded accurately and in real time.
Follow FIFO / FEFO practices and ensure proper segregation of materials by status (approved, on-hold, rejected, allergen-controlled, rework, returns).
Assist with cycle counts, physical inventories, and investigation of inventory discrepancies as directed.
Inspect pallets, labels, stretch-wrap, and load stability prior to movement to prevent damage and ensure compliance.
Handle food products and materials in accordance with GMP, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and Urban Farmer food safety standards.
Perform required pre-shift and post-shift forklift inspections, including brakes, forks, hydraulics, tires, batteries/propane, and safety devices.
Immediately report equipment damage, mechanical issues, near misses, or unsafe conditions and remove equipment from service when necessary.
Adhere strictly to OSHA regulations, dock safety rules, pedestrian safety guidelines, and PPE requirements.
Maintain clean, organized, and food-safe work areas in compliance with sanitation standards.
Communicate effectively with Production, Warehouse Leadership, Inventory, Quality, Shipping, and Maintenance teams regarding material availability, shortages, or issues.
Support Maintenance with preventative maintenance coordination, battery changes, and equipment servicing as needed.
Participate in safety meetings, food safety training, audits, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Promptly report any food safety, quality, or compliance concerns to supervisors or Quality representatives.
Maintain organized staging lanes, aisles, racking, docks, and freezer spaces to support safe traffic flow and efficient operations.
Complete all shift documentation accurately and on time, including safety checklists, equipment logs, inventory forms, and shipping paperwork.
Perform additional warehouse or operational tasks as assigned to support business needs.