Material Handler I

Company Overview

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better‑for‑you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high‑quality, sustainability‑forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e‑commerce channels across North America.

Job Summary

Material Handler I is responsible for operating all energized and non‑energized forklift and palletizing equipment—including forklifts, pallet jacks, floor scrubber, palletizing robot, and shrink‑wrap machines—while ensuring efficient operation, accurate paperwork, and adherence to safety, quality, and communication standards. Reports to the Warehouse Supervisor; non‑exempt.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate a forklift to move, locate, relocate, stack and count product.
• Pull and prepare product for shipment, ensuring the exact number and type of product is loaded and shipped per load sheets in an efficient manner that meets customer service standards.
• Efficiently move product from staging and/or storage areas into trailers.
• Operate and be accountable for the safe and efficient operation of the vehicle.
• Unload inbound shipments safely and move product to storage locations.
• Ensure inbound and outbound shipments are accurate and free of damage, reporting any quality variances.
• Keep appropriate records and reports to guarantee inventory control and security.
• Assist in physical inventories and proper stock rotation.
• Maintain all forklift inspection prior to shift with accurate documentation.
• Conduct required quality checks to assure standards are met.
• Maintain a clean and organized area.
• Maintain communications within the team ensuring smooth shift transitions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties.
• Pick and load outbound trucks as per paperwork.
• Unload and put away inbound trucks.
• Support mechanics in appropriate maintenance activities.
• Monitor raw packaging material and supplies to ensure efficient support of production.
• Maintain ingredients and material on a First‑In‑First‑Out (FIFO) basis.
• Relieve other team members for breaks and absences as required.
• Accurately prepare and maintain all area paperwork.
• Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Support additional area warehouses as required.

Key Accountabilities

• Safety: Follow all plant safety rules, report accidents to the production supervisor, attend safety meetings, participate in monthly safety inspections, and report potential hazards to the safety committee or Production Supervisor.
• Quality Assurance: Adhere to all Quality Assurance System guidelines, follow SOPs for machine adjustments and truck inspections, comply with HACCP & SQF programs, follow GMPs, and ensure accurate documentation.
• Housekeeping: Maintain a clean and organized work area, cooperate with other shifts and management in housekeeping efforts, and perform all warehouse sanitation processes with documentation.
• Communications: Ensure effective shift communication and teamwork with other operators, maintain communication with the support group, shift supervisor, and Materials Manager.
• Teamwork and Training: Promote teamwork among materials team members and assist in coaching and training employees as requested by management.
• Personal Development: Continuously improve knowledge of batch output, other plant areas, and other company warehouses.

Qualifications

• Works with minimal supervision.
• Team player.
• Ability to evaluate situations and make good decisions.
• Ability to keep operating logs and records.
• Ability to read manuals and problem‑solve.
• Good past work history and attendance.
• Ability to stand for long periods.
• Ability to climb on and off a forklift regularly.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lb (and more as required).
• Understanding of package integrity, troubleshooting, hygiene, and communication.
• Willingness to travel to other warehouses or plants as needed.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The role requires frequent use of hands for handling, reaching, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. Employees must