Warehouse Associate

Job Description

Job Title: Warehouse Associate

Reports to: Warehouse Manager

Direct Report(s): N/A

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Starting at $19.50/HR

Job Location: 70 Corporate Woods Drive , Bridgeton, MO 63044.

Position Summary

The Warehouse Associate reports directly to the Warehouse Manager and is responsible for accurately selecting, verifying, building, staging, storing, and distributing food and non-food products in accordance with established operational policies and procedures. This position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to accurately fulfill orders while maintaining product integrity and inventory accuracy through proper receiving, storage, rotation, inventory management, and cycle counting. The Warehouse Associate is also responsible for the proper use and care of warehouse equipment and for maintaining a clean, safe, organized, and sanitary warehouse environment. This position plays a key role in ensuring the facility and its operations remain compliant with Foodbank policies, Feeding America requirements, and AIB standards and are inspection-ready at all times.

Above all, this position is expected to consistently demonstrate and uphold the St. Louis Area Foodbank's EPIC Values: Evolve, People-Centric, Integrity, and Courage.

Duties and Responsibilities

Order Selection, Building & Staging

• Accurately select products and quantities using pick sheets, RF scanners, or other warehouse systems.
• Build, stack, wrap, and secure orders on pallets in a manner that protects product integrity and allows for accurate verification, safe handling, and efficient transportation.
• Verify picked orders against pick documentation or system information to ensure the correct products and quantities are prepared for shipment.
• Stage completed orders in the designated location and in an organized manner for pickup or delivery.
• Identify and report product shortages, overages, damages, or discrepancies before orders are shipped.
• Maintain product rotation and select product according to established FIFO/FEFO and Foodbank procedures.

Inventory Accuracy

• Perform assigned cycle counts and physical inventory counts accurately and timely.
• Assist with inventory reconciliation and research inventory discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate product locations and report misplaced, damaged, or unidentified product.
• Assist with receiving, put-away, and other inventory activities as needed to maintain accurate inventory records.

Warehouse Cleanliness & Organization

• Maintain assigned warehouse areas in clean, organized, and safe condition throughout the workday.
• Complete daily cleaning and housekeeping responsibilities for warehouse areas, equipment, and workspaces.
• Keep aisles, staging areas, docks, and work areas free of debris, product, and other obstructions.
• Properly dispose of cardboard and other recyclable materials and assist with the Foodbank recycling program.
• Maintain products and storage areas in accordance with Foodbank food safety and sanitation requirements.

Equipment Care & Safety

• Safely operate forklifts, reach trucks, electric pallet jacks, RF scanners, balers, and other assigned warehouse equipment in accordance with training and established procedures.
• Conduct required equipment inspections and immediately report equipment damage, safety concerns, or maintenance needs.
• Properly care for and use Foodbank equipment to prevent damage and unnecessary downtime.
• Follow all safety policies, procedures, and equipment requirements and actively contribute to a safe work environment.
• Follow established procedures when working in refrigerated and freezer environments.

Customer & Warehouse Support

• Assist with customer pickups and provide professional service when interacting with Foodbank customers and partners.
• Assist receiving, put-away, and other warehouse functions as operational needs require.
• Support distribution activities and monthly distribution preparation as assigned.
• Work collaboratively with other warehouse team members and departments to ensure orders are prepared and shipped accurately and on time.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and food-safe work environment in compliance with Feeding America, AIB, and organizational standards.
• Follow all safety policies, procedures, and warehouse operating guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Warehouse Supervisor, Warehouse Manager, or Director of Operations.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of two years of successful experience in warehouse operations, logistics, distribution, customer service, or a related field, preferably in a coordinator or supervisory capacity.
• Experience working with inventory management, shipping, receiving, and order fulfillment processes preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic warehouse operations, including order fulfillment, product handling, storage, rotation, inventory control, and cycle counting.
• Ability to accurately read and follow pick sheets, RF scanner instructions, product labels, and other warehouse documentation.
• Ability to safely operate or become certified to operate powered material-handling equipment, including reach trucks and electric pallet jacks.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately count, identify, verify, and document products and quantities.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with warehouse staff, supervisors, drivers, volunteers, and other internal or external partners.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, meet established deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
• Ability to work independently, recognize and resolve routine issues, and seek assistance when situations require supervisor or management support.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn and effectively use warehouse management systems, RF scanners, and other technology used in daily operations.
• Ability to follow established safety, food safety, sanitation, and operational policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in varying warehouse conditions, including refrigerated and freezer environments.

Work Schedule

This role is primarily scheduled Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Flexibility is required to support operational needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, and special events to ensure timely and accurate distribution of product.

Work Environment

The St. Louis Area Foodbank operates in a dynamic, hands-on warehouse environment that supports the daily selection, preparation, staging, and distribution of food and non-food products. The Warehouse Associate works primarily on concrete warehouse floors and is routinely required to walk, stand, bend, stoop, reach, lift, and move throughout the facility while selecting and building customer orders.

The position requires frequent operation of warehouse equipment, including reach trucks, electric pallet jacks, manual pallet jacks, and RF scanning equipment. Associates are responsible for safely maneuvering equipment through active warehouse aisles, staging areas, and loading areas while building stable and secure pallets for verification and shipment. The work environment is fast-paced and requires consistent attention to detail, accuracy, and awareness of surrounding personnel, equipment, and product.

The position may require working in multiple temperature-controlled areas, including refrigerated environments of approximately 38°F and freezer environments as low as -10°F. Associates may also be exposed to varying noise levels, dust, outdoor weather conditions, and normal warehouse hazards associated with the movement and handling of food products.

This role requires frequent physical activity, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, reaching, and moving products weighing up to 75 pounds. Associates must be able to safely build, wrap, secure, and move palletized orders using manual and powered material-handling equipment while maintaining a clean, safe, organized, and sanitary work environment.

The Impact You'll Make

At the St. Louis Area Foodbank, every role contributes to building a stronger bi-state region by nourishing people, empowering communities, and transforming systems. Guided by our EPIC values- Empower, People-Centric, Integrity, and Courage -we show up each day committed to making a meaningful difference for those we serve and for one another.

Working alongside nearly 600 hunger-relief partners, we help provide food and support to more than 400,000 people each year across 26 counties in Missouri and Illinois. As the region's leading organization in food distribution and hunger relief, we act with integrity to strengthen the network of agencies and programs addressing hunger, and we have the courage to challenge the status quo in pursuit of greater impact. When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven organization where you are empowered to contribute your skills, ideas, and passion to create lasting change throughout the region

What We Can Offer You

At the St. Louis Area Foodbank, we lead with a people-centric approach, ensuring dignity and compassion are at the heart of every interaction and decision. Our commitment to culture is reflected through employee-led groups like our Culture Workgroup and the Employee Experience Committee (Employee Engagement, Social Responsibility, and Health and Wellness Sub-Committees). At the Foodbank, voices are heard, ideas are valued, and continuous improvement is part of how we work together.

In addition to meaningful work that supports our community, we offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support you both professionally and personally, including:

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including PTO, floating holidays, a birthday holiday, volunteer time off, and summer early release days
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• Short-term disability coverage
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Social Responsibility Statement

You are welcome at the St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB) for who you are. At the SLAFB, we strive to empower our team to embrace and celebrate who they are. We cultivate a fair work environment that fosters belonging and respects and values people with varied backgrounds, demographics, identities and disabilities. Doing so strengthens our organization, cultivates a culture where everyone feels valued and can bring their best selves to the SLAFB. This enables us to nourish people, empower communities, and transform systems. At the SLAFB, we cultivate a respectful and empowered workplace that embraces a broad range of lived experiences and viewpoints. We are committed to building a team that reflects the neighbors and communities we serve in the bi-state region to enhance engagement and connectivity with all key stakeholders.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. Performance of other duties may be requested. Evaluations will be in part based upon performance of the tasks listed in this job description. St. Louis Area Foodbank has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract.