Forklift Operator

Valley Queen Cheese Factory
US - South Dakota - Strandburg
May 16, 2025
Warehouse

JOB DESCRIPTIONPosition Summary
This position's primary responsibilities include maintaining a safe operating environment while preserving product quality when handling finished dairy products as assigned. Reweigh new cheese and use forklift to stack cheese in the dry coolers. Assist with all general warehouse duties in a manner that support the achievement of the company's vision, mission and values.

Essential Functions

Understand and practice VQ's expectations as they relate to Safety, Quality, Service, Value and Teamwork.
Efficiently transfer and stage finished product inventory to designated locations.

Efficiently remove cheese from the seal line and place in wet cooler.
Assist with all warehouse activities including accurate RF scanning, proper product labeling and general upkeep of warehouse areas and equipment.
Complete proper documentation to ensure accuracy.
Perform and sign-off on all assigned POMs.
Comply with all company safety rules to achieve no injuries and no lost-time accidents Understand and adhere to all food safety, GMPs and OSHA policies and procedures.
Maintain good communications with lead and/or supervisor to ensure a safe, continuous product flow and proper maintenance of equipment.
Attend and/or complete required safety and quality training sessions by the assigned deadlines.
Provide "best practice" process improvements to standard operating procedures to aid in consistent work styles across all shifts.
If the operator possesses and maintains a valid CDL that Valley Queen utilizes. (+$1/hr)
Assist in training new or untrained employees. (4)
Be proficient in stacking and unstacking cheese boxes 6 high in a safe and consistent manner. (4 or +$0.50/hr if in job grade 3)
Ability to identify correct put away locations for different cheese types, make dates and storage conditions. (4)

Competencies

Organization

Time Management

Teamwork

Initiative

Detail Oriented

Technical Capacity

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibility but may assist in the training of new employees in the department.

Work Environment
This job operates in a cold food storage environment typically around 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to forklift operation, moving mechanical parts, chemical transportation and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Physical Demands
Please refer to the separate functional job description for this position.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, and days of work are on an alternating repeating schedule. Hours of work for day shift are 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and night shift from 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. This position will work alternating weekends.

Travel
No travel is expected for this position.

Required Education, Experience & Certifications
High school diploma or GED is required for this position. Maintain forklift certification.

Preferred Education, Experience & Certifications
Desire two or more years in a warehouse facility. Experience with food grade products is preferred. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Minimum age requirement is 18.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of responsibilities, duties or tasks that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, duties and tasks may change at any time with or without notice.

Read the full job description and apply online on the recuiter's web-site

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