Forklift Operator - Injection (Five Day)

Reports To : Team Leader

Department : Operations / Manufacturing

The Forklift Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of powered industrial trucks and related material-handling equipment to support manufacturing, warehousing, inventory storage, and shipping operations. This position moves finished goods, bottles, raw materials, preforms, packaging materials, and production supplies throughout the facility while maintaining compliance with safety, quality, food safety, and operational standards. The Forklift Operator supports production flow, inventory accuracy, customer shipments, and overall plant efficiency.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are representative of the position, dependent upon the designated and assigned area. Additional job-related duties may be assigned as operational needs require.

Material Handling and Production Support

• Safely operate forklifts and other authorized material-handling equipment.

• Supply pallets, top frames, tier sheets, packaging materials, and other production materials as required.

• Transport finished goods from production areas to warehouse storage locations.

• Stage materials for production and shipping activities.

• Deliver preforms, resin, packaging materials, and other supplies to designated production areas.

• Load and unload trailers in accordance with established procedures.

• Ensure proper placement and storage of inventory using established warehouse and inventory-control systems.

• Build and handle dunnage and reusable packaging materials as required.

Shipping and Inventory Responsibilities

• Verify product identification, labeling, and load accuracy prior to shipment.

• Complete shipping documentation and scan inventory transactions as required.

• Assist with cycle counts and inventory-verification activities.

• Operate a yard truck and move trailers after pre-loading materials.

• Maintain product traceability and inventory accuracy.

• Identify and report damaged product, inventory discrepancies, or shipping issues.

Equipment Operation and Inspection

• Perform required pre-shift forklift inspections and document findings.

• Immediately remove unsafe equipment from service and notify leadership or maintenance.

• Monitor equipment performance and report mechanical concerns promptly.

• Operate forklifts in accordance with Company policies, plant traffic-control requirements, and applicable safety requirements.

• Refuel, recharge, or change batteries using approved procedures.

• Blowmolding operators change strap, wrap and labels; Manage the E80 inbound conveyor and car wash area.

• Export operators monitor the box builder, lid robot, labelers, AGC’s and LGV’s.

• Export operators inspect Fairlife loads before leaving the building.

• Grinding operators transport bins of preforms and safely operate the grinding systems.

• Flake to Pellet operators safely unload flake, load recycle materials, and unload flake material using the hoist system in the NGR room.

Safety, Compliance, and Quality

• Follow all forklift safety rules, traffic patterns, pedestrian-safety requirements, and PPE requirements.

• Maintain awareness of surrounding personnel, equipment, and production activities.

• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, injuries, property damage, or equipment concerns immediately.

• Participate in required safety meetings and training programs and maintain required operational authorization.

• Comply with all SQF, food safety, product safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

• Handle products in a manner that prevents damage or contamination.

• Verify labels, packaging, and product identification before storage or shipment.

• Follow established procedures for handling nonconforming product.

• Support continuous-improvement and operational-excellence initiatives.