Warehouse Associate I

Job title: Warehouse Associate I
Department: Warehouse
Reports to: Warehouse Manager
Status: Full Time, 40-45 hours per week, Hourly

Competitive Wage, Great Benefits!
Open until filled

About us:
Hummingbird Wholesale is a small, family and employee owned & operated company distributing organic food throughout the Pacific Northwest and into northern California. We are a team of highly engaged and extraordinarily productive people who are inspired to work hard, have fun, and give our very best at all times. We are motivated by our mission, vision, and values. We work effectively & efficiently, and enjoy connecting with each other through our daily work.

Our Mission, Core Values and Culture:
We endeavor to serve people and the planet by providing the highest quality, most nutritious foods, grown as locally and sustainably as possible to nourish the body, mind, and soul. We practice principles of ecological & social justice in our business operation, and strive for minimum packaging and waste. We value long-term relationships with farmers, vendors, coworkers, and customers.

Do you want to work at an Employee-Owned Company who is rated one of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon? 

In January 2023, Hummingbird owners Charlie and Julie Tilt made a bold move by transitioning their ownership of the company to an Employee Owned Purpose Trust, securing and guiding the mission and values of the business into perpetuity. The Purpose Trust was established to serve as a co-creator of life-enhancing, inclusive, and healthy food systems for our regional and global community. We invite you to join us as we work together to transform the world toward a sustainable food production system which supports the health of the people who depend on it, as well as the earth’s precious ecosystems.

Can work be fun?
We think so! Creating a positive, safe and healthy work environment is central to our mission and values. From our weekly, all-company huddles where we share what's going on in each department and our quarterly profit sharing program, to unique benefits like our coworker annual self-care stipend, we walk our talk. Oh yeah, and we measure FUN as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) of our success as a company. No joke! 

Compensation Benefits Perks:
We offer competitive wages and generous benefits and perks including health insurance with an HSA option, paid vacation, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid volunteer time, 401K, profit sharing, self-care funds, wholesale pricing on Hummingbird products and with a curated list of local vendors, and more!

Job Summary:

 The Warehouse Associate is an integral part of the Hummingbird Team and is responsible for safely and efficiently handling Hummingbird product in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring that Hummingbird product is available to our customers.

The Warehouse Associate is responsible for accurate and efficient order fulfillment, warehouse organization, proper inventory management, shipping, and receiving under the supervision of the Warehouse Manager.

The Warehouse Associate upholds department values of safety (physical and food); product availability and quality; efficiency of operation; and development of people and processes in all activities in the Warehouse Department all while actively striving to help the company fulfill its mission.  Working in the Hummingbird warehouse requires a variety of skills. Successful associates will thrive in a complex work environment where there are frequent changes in the type of work and who enjoy work that requires both physical and mental effort.

Essential Functions:

• Use all company systems in compliance with the Mission Statement, Core Values, and established policies and procedures.
• Participate and contribute to a strong safety culture by working safely and supporting safety among coworkers.
• Uphold the highest standard of food safety by following all policies and procedures in the Food Safety Plan applicable to the job title.
• Comply with all applicable company, governmental, and regulatory agency policies and guidelines.
• Attend and participate in department and all company meetings and trainings.
• Give great customer service, understanding that every relationship counts. Build mutually rewarding long-term relationships with coworkers, customers, vendors, and the community.
• Receive and place calls, emails, and text messages in a friendly and professional manner.
• Utilize principles of continuous improvement (LEAN) in collaboration with co-workers, as trained, to reduce waste, improve customer outcomes, and support Company goals and objectives.
• Help drive our sustainability practices through participation and improvement of Company sustainability initiatives and programs. Complete Company-sponsored training as offered and participate in waste-stream reduction program, minimizing waste and properly sorting waste-stream items into designated receptacles.
• Arrive to work each day excited and ready to participate in helping others do their best. Be committed to having fun. Contribute as part of a team to accomplish excellent daily work.
• Be enthusiastic and active in growing and improving personally and professionally.
• Have excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Exhibit respectful behavior.

Essential Functions per Warehouse Associate I:

• Consistently demonstrate safe and ergonomic work habits.
• Proficiently completes basic Warehouse work in assigned areas as trained, using all applicable department procedures and food safety standards.
  • Accurately and efficiently picks, checks, packs, and prepares orders for shipping according to company procedures.
  • Monitor package integrity and product safety.
  • Accurately verify label, quantity, and appearance of products.
  • Accurately fulfills all special instructions for specific
  • Works with the Warehouse Team to meet order.
  • Assists customers and coworkers in a friendly and professional.
  • Collaborates with the Warehouse Team to organize physical space for safe and efficient workflow, including maintaining signage.
  • Communicates with the Customer Service & Sales Team regarding outgoing orders, including late additions/orders, reprint requests, out of stocks, and quality issues as assigned.
  • Checks in and signs for freight per company policies & procedures including basic inspection for pests and damage, communicates with QC and FC & Sourcing as necessary.
  • Accurately fulfills transfer.
  • Provide accurate product counts for cycle counts and inventory.
  • Safely operates pallet jacks and carts – both electric and manual as trained.
  • Maintain a sanitary and aesthetic workspace within the Warehouse area using daily, weekly and monthly cleaning checklists.
  • Basic understanding of Continuous Improvement Philosophy and LEAN Tools.
  • Monitor time throughout the day to ensure completion of assigned tasks.
  • Proactively communicate within the department about the need for training or support to complete tasks and resolve workflow challenges.
  • Perform the building closing checklists as assigned.
  • Learning duties of Warehouse.
  • Additional duties as assigned.

Additional Functions for Warehouse Associates:

• Contribute to the pursuit of Hummingbird Wholesale’s sustainability objectives.
• Participate in continuous improvement.
• Deliver orders locally via truck and /or bike as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements and Qualifications:

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.

Training Requirements (licenses, programs, or certificates):

OSHA Fork Lift Certification (may be obtained through Hummingbird Wholesale’s in-house training).

Valid Driver’s License or willingness to obtain.

Skill Requirements:

• Operation of forklift (including barrel grabber).
• Detail-oriented, well organized.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to maintain focus in a fast-paced environment.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good time management skills.
• Legible handwriting.

Experience:

• Warehouse experience:
  • Associate I - experience preferred; will train
  • Associate II – 1 year minimum experience at Hummingbird Wholesale
  • Associate III – 2 years minimum employment at Hummingbird Wholesale
• Customer service experience
• Natural Foods – any experience, whether personal or professional, with the natural foods industry is a plus

Physical, Mental and Visual Requirements:

• In support of some essential job functions, the position requires the Warehouse Associate to work in Commercial food production and warehouse While in these environments, the employee must be able to safely comply with all Company and regulatory rules and guidelines.
• The position requires frequent and repeated exposure to major food allergens
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the Warehouse Associate’s job. A valid driver’s license is necessary to be a back-up for local deliveries

• Must be able to lift 60 on a regular and repetitive basis, stand and walk for long periods

• Must be able to operate barrel handling equipment holding drums weighing up to 700

• Must be able to safely operate machinery, including pallet jack and forklift, in areas with pedestrian traffic
• Must be able to work in a variety of temperatures, including up to three consecutive hours in the walk-in cooler (34 degrees Fahrenheit), up to an hour moving in and out of the walk-in freezer (-10 degrees Fahrenheit), and temperatures in the warehouse that range from very cold to warm depending on the season
• The Warehouse Associate work is time-sensitive; each Associate will have a specific schedule and punctuality is a requirement

Conclusion:

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Warehouse Associate’s position but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Salary : $17 - $18