Title: Forklift Operator

Reports To: Packing House Manager

Location: Delray Beach, FL

Type: Full-Time | Onsite | Non-Exempt

COMPANY SUMMARY

Pero Family Farms is a market share leader with over a century of dedication, commitment and integrity. Operating since 1908, Pero is the farm trusted by retailers and consumers alike. We are a fully integrated farming operation, with departments that specialize in organic farming, logistics, global supply chain management, national sales operations, food processing operations, and strategic marketing functions. Our operation includes over 35,000 acres spanning across the East Coast of the United States from Florida to New York, with distribution and production facilities in several different states. We pride ourselves in maintaining a strong family heritage and tradition that has been dedicated to quality, innovation, and excellent customer service that has been feeding America’s families for over a century. Our family’s passion for farming remains unwavering, with a vision to continue the tradition for many generations to come, whilst maintaining the reverence and trust it has established with the American consumer. As we expand our offering to include an assortment of organic vegetable options; we have become one of the largest organic vegetable growers in the country and we are looking to grow our workforce family. Join us in continuing and strengthening our position as a market share leader dedicated and trusted by retailers and consumers alike.

JOB SUMMARY

The Forklift Operator is responsible for operating and managing industrial trucks to load and unload materials, deliveries and move them to and from storage areas, machines and loading docks, into trucks or storage facilities for the Production department.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Forklift or Pallet Jack Operator is responsible for the following activities/duties:

Safety, Health and Quality:

• Comply, enforce and maintain all Company Policies, Procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Comply, enforce and maintain Company Safety Standards.
• Comply, enforce and maintain Company Quality Standards.
• Comply, enforce and maintain Company Sanitation Standards.
• Assist in keeping a safe environment.

Manufacturing Operations and Production:

• Supply production lines with raw product and other needed production material.
• Keep production lines with needed product and material.
• Obtain copy of production schedule or shipping order and transports material or equipment to and from designated areas in the facility.
• Move goods packed on pallets or in crates around the storage facility.
• Stack goods in the correct storage bays, following inventory control standards.
• Inspect loads are secure.
• Stack empty pallets.
• Perform daily equipment checks such as recharging the truck’s battery and lubricating equipment.
• Remove machine attachments and waste material from machines.
• Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
• Dump materials into machine hoppers.
• Ensure that Forklifts and Electric Pallet Jacks are maintained on a periodic basis.
• Determine and report the need for machinery repairs. 
• Assist with Packing and Palletizing.

Workforce Management:

• Maintain a high level of morale among employees:
• Treating employees with respect and addressing them by name.
• No use of harsh or derogatory language.
• Being fair and impartial.
• Recognizing employees’ achievements.
• Train other Forklift or Pallet Jack Operators as needed.
• Notify any employee disciplinary actions to the Supervisor and Production Manager.

Continuous Improvement (CI):

• Ensure area/line adheres to implemented CI tools or methods (5S, Kanban, Kaizen, Takt Time, SMED, TPM, Visual Management, etc.).
• Report reoccurring issues to Production Supervisor or Manager.
• Support Production Supervisor or Manager in CI activities (Kaizen events, Lean Projects or Six Sigma Projects).

Other:

• Report mechanical and facility issues immediately to the Maintenance Department.
• Prepare all paperwork required in a neat, legible and timely manner.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 0 - 3 year of general work experience - required.
• 1+ year Warehouse/Forklift experience - preferred.
• Valid certification to operate forklifts per OSHA standards - preferred.
• Experience within high-speed industrial environment – a plus.
• Skills to operate a manual/powered pallet jack or lift equipment.
• Attention to detail.
• Good knowledge of industrial equipment.
• Very good physical condition.
• Excellent coordination.
• Great interpersonal and communication skills

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Regularly sitting on a powered industrial truck.
• Having a good sense of balance.
• Having good eye-hand-foot coordination.
• Ability to assess weights and judge distances and heights.
• Required to stand for long periods.
• Frequent Pushing, Pulling, Walking, Kneeling and Reaching.
• Constant use of hands and firm grasping.
• Occasionally to frequently Carrying or Lifting products of 5 pounds to 50 pounds.
• Frequently Pushing bins with cut product of 100 pounds or more.
• Use of small to large hand cutting utensils (i.e., Knives, peelers).
• Constant exposure to temperature of 45 degrees or below.
• Exposure to chemical components such as chlorine, etc.
• Exposure to product fumes such as onions, pepper, etc.
• Adherence to health and safety regulations (e.g. constant use of protective gear).
• Works overtime as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

COMPANY BENEFITS/PERKS

• 401(k)
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance and more
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

The company (Pero) reserves the right to alter, amend, expand or contract these duties and responsibilities as the companies needs evolve.