Forklift/Material Handler (Elkhart, IN)

At Feed the Children, we recognize the value of outstanding people, and we are looking for compassionate changemakers to join our team. We pride ourselves on cultivating a collaborative workplace where employees experience productive and rewarding employment and feel engaged in our mission to end childhood hunger. Our passionate team shares a deep sense of purpose, and we dream big to solve complex problems and create positive impact in communities around the world.

Feed the Children is recognized by Candid with its Platinum Seal of Transparency and is accredited by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. The organization has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is consistently recognized on the Forbes Top 100 Charities list.

We are currently in search of a Forklift/Material Handler to join our Elkhart, IN Distribution Center team. This position is responsible for the loading/unloading and staging and storing of product in/from the Distribution Center. This position assists the Distribution Center Manager and the Volunteer Engagement Supervisor in duties and responsibilities of the Distribution Center activities of shipping, receiving, volunteer program and inventory control of product for these areas.

Job Requirements:

Education

High school diploma or GED required

Experience

3 months of forklift experience preferred (sit-down propane and stand up electric preferred)

No prior forklift experience required - on the job training provided

Licenses and Certifications

Forklift certification within 2 months of hire required

Valid driver’s license with clean driving record required

Essential Job Functions:

Operates forklift in a safe and efficient manner to load, unload, transport and stack product and materials between loading, processing, and storage areas.

Positions lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets and secures material or products for transport to designated areas.

Loads or unloads product and other materials onto or off pallets, docks, trucks, or lifting devices.

Weighs materials or products, and records weight and other production data on tags and receiving reports.

Inspects equipment and documents status daily.

Pulls and stages loads for shipments.

Ships and receives product following Feed the Children’s policies and procedures.

Rotates product and tracks expiration dates.

Follows safety rules and participates in ongoing safety meetings. Reports unsafe condition to supervisor (s).

Maintains regular attendance and punctuality which are critical in order to complete the day to day tasks of this position.

Completes required paperwork.

Counts and/or repacks product.

Performs inventory functions.

Helps maintain a clean and orderly Distribution Center.

Collects details and resolves questions, inconsistencies or missing data when necessary.

Drives Box Truck for Distribution Center as needed for donor pickups and local agency consignment deliveries.

Completes any special projects/assignments given by Distribution Center management. 

Establishes an environment of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning, a commitment to quality, welcomes and encourages collaboration, and fosters both intra and inter-departmental dialogue and respect.

Models the type and level of behavior, professionalism and leadership that is in accordance with the values of the organization.

Performs other related duties as required

Working Conditions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands and fingers.  The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high places; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat.  

The incumbent’s working conditions are typically loud. 

About Feed the Children:

As a leading anti-hunger organization, Feed the Children is committed to ending childhood hunger. We provide children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive. 

Through our programs and partnerships, we feed children today while helping their families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, we distribute household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, we expand access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. Responsible stewards of our resources, we are driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty.

For children everywhere, we believe that having enough to eat is a fundamental right. 

Our Values:

We are driven by a shared sense of PURPOSE.  At Feed the Children, our commitment to the mission is at the heart of what we do and fuels our collective impact in the communities where we serve.

We cannot achieve our bold vision without our talented PEOPLE.  We are passionate about fostering a best-in-class workforce that is engaged, respected, and empowered to deliver results.

We believe in CURIOSITY and continued learning.  Success requires a culture of discovery, curiosity and continued learning to expand our knowledge, seek new perspectives and challenge the status quo.

We know COLLABORATION is the only way to end childhood hunger.  We cannot succeed alone. It will take all of us – our employees, donors, partners, volunteers – working together to accomplish our ambitious goals.

We DREAM big.  When we work together, we collectively reimagine what is possible. We dream big to solve complex problems and create deep impact in communities around the world.

We VALUE every donor.  We respect our donors’ intentions and promote responsible stewardship of the resources they entrust to us.

Join Feed the Children and help create a world where no child goes to bed hungry.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Feed the Children is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, political affiliation, pregnancy, military and/or veterans’ status, genetic characteristics, marital status or any other considerations made unlawful by applicable state, federal, or local law. Feed the Children welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities and will make every effort to reasonably accommodate the needs of those persons.  Additionally, Feed the Children strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. Feed the Children expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that Feed the Children work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the Feed the Children safeguarding and associated policies.