At Winland Foods, we believe excellence starts behind the scenes. Guided by our values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration, our Warehouse Team Members play a crucial role in keeping our operations moving safely, smoothly, and efficiently.
As a Certified Warehouse Team Member, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safe, accurate, and efficient movement of raw materials and finished goods throughout the facility. Responsibilities include operating forklifts and other material handling equipment, receiving railcars and tanker trucks, unloading and pumping liquid ingredients into designated tanks or silos, verifying available storage capacity, collecting required samples, and maintaining accurate inventory and receiving documentation. You will help ensure uninterrupted production while adhering to the highest standards of safety, food quality, and regulatory compliance, including SQF, GMP, HACCP, and company policies.
Beyond daily tasks, you may support shipping and receiving, oversee material flow and storage, and contribute to process improvements that make our teams stronger. You may also have opportunities to lead or train team members, building collaboration while sharing knowledge. With responsibilities ranging from inventory control to documentation, you’ll take pride in maintaining a clean, organized workspace that reflects Winland’s commitment to doing things right.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

KY Buckner

Job Type:

Production Group

Job Posting Title:

Certified Warehouse Team Member / Pumper - 1st Shift Warehouse

Job Description:

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00am-2:30pm (Overtime as required)

Work Location: 1 Quality Place, Buckner, KY 40010

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $24.02 per hour Plus Shift Differential
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.

Duties & Responsibilities:

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: 

• Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, wrapping machines, and other related equipment.

• Perform inspections on all equipment and maintain accurate documentation.

• Follow Department of Transportation (DOT) and safety regulations when applicable.

• Safely connect, disconnect, and monitor hoses, fittings, steam, air, and other equipment used to heat, unload, and pump ingredients from railcars and/or tanker trucks.

• Inspect receiving and pumping equipment, tools, hoses, and connections before use and promptly report needed repairs or adjustments.

• Oversee FIFO inventory control.

• Manage inbound/outbound shipments.

• Accurately tag, store, and rotate raw materials and finished goods as required.

• Conduct inventory counts and monitor material usage.

• Assist with procurement and space management.

Product Handling, Quality Control & Inventory Management:

• Move materials and ensure FIFO rotation.

• Accurately and timely stage materials to prevent production downtime.

• Return materials to appropriate locations to ensure they are easily located.

• Handle recyclable materials according to plant processes.

• Deliver daily parcel shipments.

• Participate in inventory counts.

• Communicate warehouse status (percent utilization, inventory levels, upcoming product expirations, etc.) to other teams within the plant.

• Receive, unload, pump, and distribute liquid ingredients and related materials through designated areas of the plant.

• Determine available tank and/or silo storage capacity before unloading or pumping incoming railcars and tanker trucks.

• Pump ingredients from railcars and tanker trucks to designated storage tanks or silos while following site procedures and material handling requirements.

• Heat applicable ingredients, such as corn syrup, fructose, and vinegar, by connecting steam and air to railcars for pumping to storage tanks or silos.

Food Safety & Sanitation Compliance:

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

• Follow proper storage procedures for allergens, kosher, and organic products.

• Maintain cleanliness in assigned areas and an audit-ready work environment.

• Promptly report any safety or quality concerns.

• Take required samples from incoming railcars and/or tanker trucks to the Quality Laboratory for audit, as assigned.

• Follow food safety and quality requirements when receiving, sampling, heating, pumping, and transferring ingredients.

• Makes recommendations for improving plant cleanliness and sanitation effectiveness.  

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.

• Assist with SOP development and training.

• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration.

• Coordinate with supervisors, team leaders, shift leads, Quality, and production teams to prioritize receiving and pumping activities and meet internal delivery requirements.

Documentation, Communication & Continuous Improvement:

• Use computer systems (e.g., SAP) for inventory transfers and reporting.

• Maintain accurate material handling records.

• Maintain accurate receiving, pumping, unloading, inventory tracking, and related documentation records.

• Participate in improvement projects.

• Actively participate in all required training.

• Participate in 5S efforts.

• Assist in reviewing warehouse 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; additional certifications (e.g., Forklift, Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement) a plus.

• Experience operating equipment like forklifts, box trucks, and SAP inventory management systems. 

• Willingness to obtain required certifications (e.g., forklift, SAP, Train the Trainer, etc.). 

• Forklift certification is required or must be obtained before operating forklift equipment.

• 18+ years of age. 

Technical & Mechanical Skills:

• Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and advise on minor adjustments to formulas or processes.

• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify and resolve quality 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.

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and accurately perform basic math calculations.

• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to safely operate, monitor, and identify issues with receiving and pumping equipment.

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:

• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, supervisors and others at the worksite regarding work matters, which are mostly conducted in English.  This includes the ability to understand and respond to oral communications; understand written information, communications, and safety information; and communicate in writing as needed.  

• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

• 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, and ability to multitask 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 

• Ability to work outside in inclement weather, including snow, rain, ice, and heat, for an entire shift when assigned.

• Ability to climb railcars, tanker trucks, and/or storage silos while carrying necessary tools and equipment.

• Ability to work in a crouched position underneath railcars or silos for extended periods when assigned.

• Ability to tolerate odors associated with soured product and work near wet garbage skids when required.

• 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.