Lift Operator (Forklift/Loader)

Lift Operator

At Darnel Group, we focus on what truly mattersenvironmental, economic, and social sustainability. The Lift Operator supports safe, efficient, and accurate warehouse operations by operating approved lift equipment to move, stage, stack, load, unload, pick, and locate materials and finished goods. This role helps maintain inventory accuracy, supports shipping and receiving activity, follows all safety and quality requirements, and keeps warehouse areas organized and ready for daily operations. This is a full-time warehouse position working Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate standard warehouse lift equipment safely to move, stage, stack, load, unload, and organize materials, pallets, and finished goods. Ability to pass certifications for lifts.
• Receive, locate, pull, and stage products or materials according to warehouse procedures, inventory needs, customer orders, or production requirements.
• Use barcode scanners to monitor, verify, pick, and locate inventory accurately by item, lot, pallet, and warehouse location.
• Load and unload trucks, trailers, containers, or warehouse staging areas while protecting product quality and following safe material handling practices.
• Inspect materials, pallets, labels, and warehouse locations for accuracy, damage, and proper placement before moving or storing product.
• Apply appropriate pallet labels, scan barcodes, scan floor locations, and complete inventory location transactions accurately in the scan gun.
• Identify and report inventory discrepancies, product concerns, equipment issues, damaged materials, or safety concerns to the shift supervisor or manager.
• Accurately complete, verify, and maintain required paperwork, production records, inventory documentation, and shift-related information.
• Communicate with warehouse leadership, shipping, receiving, production, and team members regarding inventory movement, material needs, product concerns, and daily priorities.
• Follow all Darnel safety, quality, food safety, housekeeping, GMP, and PPE requirements while working in warehouse and production areas.

Non-Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain good housekeeping around machines, floors, trash cans, waste areas, warehouse aisles, and assigned work areas according to company requirements.
• Support cross-training activities and assist with related production equipment or warehouse processes as needed.
• Assist other departments, supervisors, leads, and team members as needed to support safe and efficient operations.
• Perform other duties, projects, or tasks assigned by management.

Job Specifications & Requirements

Required Skills/Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Current forklift certification required, or ability to obtain and maintain certification as required by company policy.

Ability to safely operate a forklift and other approved lift equipment in warehouse and production environments.

Ability to read, write, communicate effectively in English, and perform basic math.

Ability to use barcode scanners, scan guns, labels, inventory locations, and related documentation to maintain inventory accuracy.

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, product specifications, palletizing requirements, and safety procedures.

Strong attention to detail, safe work habits, teamwork, and communication skills.

Must be able to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and support overtime or schedule changes as business needs require.

Preferred Skills/Experience: Previous warehouse, manufacturing, production, inventory, or material handling experience preferred. Experience using barcode scanning equipment or warehouse inventory systems preferred.

Typical/Expected Overnight Travel: None expected.

Internal Communication: Communicate regularly with warehouse leadership, production supervisors, shift leads, operators, quality, shipping, receiving, maintenance, and team members regarding inventory movement, material needs, product concerns, equipment issues, safety concerns, and shift handoff information.

External Communication: Limited external communication expected. May interact with vendors, drivers, contractors, or visitors only as needed and in accordance with company procedures.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

Physical Requirements Frequency / Details

Vision Visual acuity correctable to 20/20 to safely operate equipment, read labels, scan inventory, and perform inspections.

Lifting Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. from floor to waist height on a routine basis.

Standing / Walking Frequent standing and walking in warehouse and production areas during assigned shift.

Bending / Stooping / Climbing Frequent bending, stooping, climbing, reaching, and working in awkward positions while moving materials or supporting warehouse activity.

Equipment Operation Ability to safely operate forklifts, pallet wrappers, barcode scanners, and related material handling equipment.

Hand Tools Safe use of a utility knife in compliance with plant safety procedures.

Environmental Requirements Frequency / Details

Work Setting Work is performed in a production warehouse and manufacturing environment.

Temperature Production and warehouse temperatures may vary by season and may be hot in summer and cold in winter. Lighting Lighting conditions are generally good; some areas may require additional PPE or awareness.

Noise / Equipment Regular exposure to machinery noise, moving equipment, forklifts, pallet wrappers, conveyors, warehouse traffic, and plant activity.

PPE Required Required PPE may include earplugs, eye protection, safety-toed footwear, hair nets, gloves, face shields, and any additional PPE required by area or task.

Schedule Must be able to work the assigned Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. schedule and support overtime or schedule changes as business needs require.

Disclaimer

This job description outlines the general duties and responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks, responsibilities, or qualifications. Job descriptions prepared by Darnel Group serve as an outline only. Due to business needs, team members may be required to perform duties not listed in this job description, and the Company may revise, add, or remove duties as necessary.

Work is performed in a production warehouse environment, with variable temperatures hot in summer, cold in winter.

Lighting conditions are generally good; however, some areas may require additional PPE.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required includes earplugs, eye protection, safety-toed footwear, hair nets, gloves, face shields, and other protective gear as appropriate when working around certain equipment or materials.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Darnel Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices, including selection, hiring, assignment, reassignment, promotion, transfer, compensation, training, discipline, and termination. The Company prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on any category protected by federal, state, or local law. Darnel Group also provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the Company.