Warehouse Associate

Who We Are: USCS is dedicated to advancing, innovating, and serving companies seeking "Best in Service", facilities, and logistics in the cold chain. We are an employee-focused, equal opportunity employer and would love to have you join our team.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS: The warehouse associate is responsible for operating a variety of material handling equipment for the purpose of moving, locating, relocating, stacking, and counting merchandise.  The equipment utilized in these functions is forklifts, slip sheets, and clamps. Warehouse associates are responsible for the safe and efficient use of these vehicles as well as order selection and checking as the need dictates. Warehouse associates must be self-motivated and work with a minimal amount of supervision. 

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Accuracy of all paperwork produced.
• Follow all customer requirements.
• Assist supervision/management as needed.
• Follow company policies, guidelines and work instructions.
• Maintain professional relationship with the carriers and customers.

Functions may vary dependent on the area of operation. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties as assigned.

• Shipping and Receiving: Unload and load trailers and verify proper stacking and freight not being mixed on pallets, one item to a pallet as required unless instructed otherwise. Tape or stretch-wrap pallet as required to ensure product stability.
• Checking: Prior to product storage, count all product, compare your counts to the drivers’ manifest and check all shipments for damage, infestation and production code dates. Report shortages, damages and misplacements to your immediate supervisor who will forward the information to the appropriate parties. Must be able to move product to the storage locations.  Must also be able to stack and store the product in the appropriate areas.
• Must be able to verify receipt of product at appropriate temperature.
• Over, Short, and Damage: Identify and recover any received or shipping damage consistent with company policy. Report all shortages and overages to your area supervisor.
• Inventory:  Assistant in physical inventories with use of scanners. Ensure proper stock rotation by following lot number identification.
• Order Picking:  Pull and prepare product for shipment, ensuring that the exact number and type of product is located and shipped. Make sure certain products come from the proper locations and the lot numbers agree to the picking documents. Perform picking duties in an efficient manner that meets customer service standards. Pallets are typically built to a height of approximately 7 feet.
• Loading: Efficiently move products from the staging or storage areas into railcars or trailers.  
• Equipment: Load, unload, move, stack and stage product and materials using a forklift, clamp truck, slip-sheet or other power equipment. Maintain the facilities, equipment, and materials in a neat, clean orderly fashion. Daily inspect and verify equipment is operating prior to the start of the day’s activity.  Advise your supervisor of any problems encountered.  Operate all equipment in a safe and efficient manner following prescribed work methods.        
• Responsible for any additional tasks delegated by management.

Miscellaneous

• Always maintain a professional manner in appearance and communications.
• Participate in staff and/or customer meetings if required.
• Develop PC/tablet skills to perform any e-mailing, reports, label preparation, order release, driver sign-out, inventory checks and/or any type of PC/tablet function necessary for that specific area.  

Safety, Housekeeping, Security

• Safety glasses, seat belts, and ID badges must be worn if associates are on forklifts.
• Always follow posted security procedures while in the building.
• Maintain a clean, neat, and orderly work/lunchroom area. 
• Safety, Sanitation, and Security:  Maintain a clean, neat, and orderly area.  Assist in maintaining the security of the warehouse.  Conduct operations in a manner which promotes safety.
• Required to attend Ammonia Training Class yearly.

Responsibility and Authority

• Initiate action to prevent the occurrence of any non-conformities relating to product, process, and quality systems. 

• Identify and record any issues relating to product, processes and/or quality.
• Initiate, recommend, or provide solutions through appropriate channels.
• Verify the implementation of solutions.

MANDATORY JOB REQUIREMENTS

The requirements that an individual must absolutely possess to perform the essential functions of the job:

• Capable of operating forklifts and their attachments.
• Have good arithmetic skills.
• Be able to read.
• Capable of following verbal and written instructions.
• Available to work various shifts.
• Capable of standing and walking for extended periods of time.
• Pass written and driving forklift exam.
• Understand and follow company policy as stated in the employee handbook.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below are representative of the qualifications required to successfully perform each essential duty. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Education:                             High School Degree required

                                                Must be at least 18 years of age.

Experience:   Forklift training and experience               

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described below are representative of those required of an individual performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. 

• Stand, walk; use hands and feet to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk or hear.
• Use of scanners, telephones, and warehouse machinery.
• The employee must be capable of occasionally lifting up to 70 lbs.
• Work longer hours as needed to satisfy customer and USCS daily and seasonal requirements.
• Drive a registered motor vehicle to satisfy daily requirements.
• Able to lift and move product above head.
• Have acceptable and / or correctable vision.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:  The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential duties.

• Work in an atmosphere range of + 50 to - 30 degrees F.
• The noise level in the work area is usually moderate.
• Personal interaction and communication required to and from other people is extremely high.
• Daily workflow is fast paced, dependent on daily and seasonal customers and USCS company requirements. 

The above job description may not include all tasks necessary to complete the job.  The job description is a listing of the most common tasks the associate will be required to perform in that job area.  The administrator will be required to perform all of the above-listed tasks.