Job Summary: The Material Handler Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of materials, raw products, finished goods, bins, waste, packaging, and other items through various areas, including the packline, cold storage, and staging areas. This role requires operating material handling equipment, palletizing robots, and adhering to safety and food safety practices. Material Handler Operators will also be accountable for inventory tracking and ensuring the accurate handling of materials, using systems such as FAMOUS ERP and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). This role requires an individual who exemplifies the company values of humble, driven, and solutions-oriented.
Humble – Employees that are team players and are respectful of others and the job at hand. Great team players lack excessive ego or concerns about status. Humble employees are quick to point out contributions of others and slow to seek attention of their own.
Driven – Employees who are motivated and focused on self improvement. Driven or hungry employees are always looking for more. More things to do, learn, and take responsibility for. They never have to be pushed by a manager to work harder because they are self-motivated and diligent.
Solutions Oriented – Employees who focus on solving, and preventing problems from occurring, not just identifying them. This is equal parts of problems with systems and processes and the common sense that an employee has about people. They are aware, act appropriately, ask good questions, and listen to understand.
Role and Accountability:
- Safely operate material handling equipment to move raw products, finished goods, pallets, waste, packaging, and other items within the production facility.
- Ensure continuous material flow by collaborating with Packline staff to make products available for processing and properly stored.
- Adhere to safety protocols for material handling operations and materials handling, conducting regular safety checks on equipment.
- Perform inventory tracking and logging using ERP systems (e.g., FAMOUS ERP, WMS) and handheld devices.
- Transport materials between various areas (packline, cold storage, staging areas), minimizing disruption to production flow.
- Operate palletizing robots and communicate any technical issues proactively to reduce downtime.
- Verify inventory accuracy and location matching with ERP data.
- Perform routine equipment inspections and submit checklists daily.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of work areas to ensure safety and facilitate easy material movement.
- Ensure pallets are securely wrapped and reinforced according to packing form specifications.
- Uphold food safety standards by wearing required protective equipment (e.g., safety shoes, hairnets) and following hygiene protocols.
- Contribute to maintaining a tour-ready facility by organizing, cleaning, and maintaining tools and equipment.
- Assist with other operational needs as required, contributing to the team’s overall success.
- Ensure accurate pallet placement in cold storage and staging areas.
- Perform regular safety inspections on material handling equipment, adhering to operational standards.
- Communicate with other departments to ensure proper handling and movement of materials.
- Support inventory control by reporting discrepancies and ensuring stock locations are properly recorded.
- Assist in transporting materials for maintenance and emergency situations as needed.
- Safely operate various types of material handling, including sit-down, stand-up, cherry-picker, and pallet jack, to transport materials within the facility.
- Unload materials and merchandise from incoming vehicles and stack them in assigned storage locations.
- Inspect material handling before and after use to ensure they are in safe operating condition, reporting any defects or maintenance needs promptly.
- Assist in loading and unloading goods from trucks, ensuring accurate documentation and inventory management.
- Operate and maintain automatic palletizing equipment to stack products onto pallets efficiently.
- Adjust machine settings for different product sizes and stacking patterns.
- Perform quality checks to ensure products are correctly stacked and meet company standards.
- Troubleshoot and resolve minor mechanical issues with palletizing equipment.
- Collaborate with team members to optimize production efficiency and address operational challenges.
- Manually stack products onto pallets, ensuring proper alignment and secure placement.
- Assist in organizing and preparing products for shipment.
- Ensure pallets are wrapped and labeled correctly for transport.
- Collaborate with material handling operators to coordinate the movement of pallets within the facility.
- Maintain a clean and organized work area to facilitate efficient operations.
- Inspect bins for damage and perform necessary repairs to maintain functionality.
- Utilize appropriate tools and materials to fix cracks, holes, or structural issues in bins.
- Ensure repaired bins meet company standards for safety and durability.
- Maintain records of repairs performed and report bins beyond repair.
- Collaborate with supervisors to prioritize bin repair needs based on production requirements.
- Execute daily responsibilities to meet departmental goals while adhering to company values (Humble, Driven, Solutions-Oriented).
- Provide feedback and suggestions to improve processes within the scope of the role.
- Attend relevant department and company-wide meetings, including Level 10 meetings, contributing to organizational alignment and effectiveness.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to address challenges, develop solutions, and align strategies with company goals.
- Utilize Microsoft To-Do (or similar) for task tracking and reminders, ensuring productivity and accountability.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to pass material handling certification training and demonstrate safe driving practices.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to track, count, and manage materials accurately.
- Ability to adapt to working in various environmental conditions (cold storage, industrial food-safe environments, outdoor).
- Ability to lift at least 50lbs and work in a physically demanding environment.
- Strong communication skills for effective team coordination and problem-solving.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize various tasks throughout the day.
- Knowledge of safety protocols and a commitment to following them.
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- material handling certification required.
- Previous experience operating material handling in a production or warehouse environment is preferred.
- Basic understanding of safety practices required.
Additional Information:
- This position requires the flexibility to work any shift necessary to meet the operational needs of the business, including days, afternoons, weekends, and statutory holidays.
- The successful candidate must be punctual, maintain consistent attendance, and demonstrate a positive attitude contributing to the team environment.
Work Schedule:
- The successful candidate will be required to work any shift necessary to meet the operational needs of the business. This may include days, afternoons, weekends, statutory holidays, and Sunday-Saturday.
In accordance with the Ontario Human rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, The Company is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free recruitment and selection process. Applicants should advise Human Resources if they require any type of accommodation during the recruitment process.
Please note that this job posting is for an existing vacancy. As part of our recruitment process, Schuyler Farms, Norfolk Cherry Company, and The Norfolk Fruit Growers' Association may require candidates to complete behavioral assessments. Some of these assessments may use AI‑enabled tools to assist in evaluating job‑related competencies. However, final decisions are made by humans.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.03 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
