Palletizer/Forklift Operator

At Winland Foods, our success starts with people who live our values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration every day.

As a Packaging Team Member, you’ll be at the center of our operation, helping ensure products are packaged safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. You’ll operate, monitor, and maintain packaging equipment, monitor processes, and take pride in knowing your work directly impacts the food experiences we deliver to millions of consumers.

This role is more than keeping lines moving—it’s about working as part of a team that respects one another, values safety, and strives for continuous improvement. By upholding our commitment to excellence, you’ll play a vital role in making mealtime easier, safer, and more enjoyable for families everywhere.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

ND Grand Forks

Job Type:

Production Group

Job Posting Title:

Palletizer/Forklift Operator

Job Description:

Schedule: Rotating A/B Schedule: (3) days one week and (4) days the next, 12 hour shift, 7:00pm to 7:30am

Work Location: 1801 N 36th St, Grand Forks, ND

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $22.50 per hour with a $0.50 night shift differential

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time. 

Safe Equipment Operation & Maintenance:   

• Operate basic packaging machinery (depalletizers, palletizers, conveyors, forklifts). 

• Complete equipment changeovers and address operational issues quickly. 

• Use technical skills in SAP, IQS, MII, and Weaver to keep Packaging flowing. 

• Perform routine operation checks. 

• Perform daily inspections, preventive maintenance, and equipment changeovers.  

• Ensure proper sanitation after changeovers. 

Product Handling, Quality Control & Inventory Management: 

• Inspect products for correct labeling, alignment, and packaging.  

• Perform manual packing and palletizing. 

• Follow FIFO inventory methods, manage materials, and record shipments in SAP. 

• Conduct quality checks on products and packaging. 

Food Safety & Sanitation Compliance: 

• Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies.  

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation. 

• Maintain compliance documentation and complete sanitation steps during changeovers. 

Team Collaboration, Leadership & Training: 

• Assist team members, adapt to operational changes, and contribute to productivity, safety, and quality goals. 

• Provide backup coverage for multiple roles, share knowledge with peers, and support training. 

Documentation, Communication & Continuous Improvement: 

• Accurately complete basic production paperwork and report issues to supervisors. 

• Record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP.  

• Participate in 5S efforts. 

• Assist in reviewing production paperwork. 

• Work with supervisors and team to develop solutions to issues. 

• Act as 5S champion for area. 

Knowledge, Training and Experience: 

Education & Experience: 

• High School Diploma or GED required. 

• Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production. 

• Forklift certification preferred (required for Advanced Level); willingness to obtain certification if not already held. 

• 18+ years of age. 

Technical & Mechanical Skills: 

• Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on production line equipment, including cartoners, baggers, case packers, sealers, depalletizers, and palletizers. 

• For higher levels, demonstrate expert troubleshooting of high-speed packaging equipment and strong understanding of theory of operation. 

• Perform Winland Excellence CIL, centerlining, and line huddle activities to improve efficiency. 

• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify and resolve equipment irregularities. 

• Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math skills. 

• Advanced levels require proficiency in MII, WE systems, and interpreting line huddle measures to resolve issues. 

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 

Safety & Compliance: 

• Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations. 

• Commitment to following all company safety policies and procedures. 

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., push heavy loads, stand/walk up to 90% of shift, and climb as needed. 

• Must have near and far visual acuity, some color perception, and full range of hand/arm movement. 

Teamwork, Communication & Leadership: 

• Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. 

• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a team-first mindset. 

• Provide training, guidance, and feedback to team members (progressively more responsibility at higher levels). 

• Advanced levels lead projects, identify skill gaps, and support multiple initiatives with minimal supervision. 

Personal Attributes & Work Ethic: 

• Positive attitude, dependable, self-motivated, and willing to work overtime or weekends as needed. 

• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, ability to multitask, and flexibility to adapt to changing needs in a fast-paced environment. 

• Demonstrated accountability for work quality, attendance, and continuous improvement. 

Physical Demands:   

• Employees must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Tasks may involve frequent climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping.   

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs frequently.   

• Must have good hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and 20/20 corrected vision.   

• Must have normal hearing and vision (with correction if needed), including the ability to distinguish colors for color-coded containers in production areas.   

• Employees must wear all required PPE according to the specific manufacturing environment, as outlined in the Employee Handbook, posted policies, or as directed by leadership.   

• Must adhere to all safety policies, including lock-out/tag-out, safe lifting techniques, and others as instructed.   

• Exposure to wet, humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high areas, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations depending on the area assigned   

• Must maintain a clean and safe work environment and report any food safety or quality issues immediately to management.  

 

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.