Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Frozen Food Handler

🎯 Role Definition

As a Frozen Food Handler, you are a critical link in the nation's food supply chain, ensuring that quality frozen products are safely stored, handled, and transported to businesses and consumers. Working within a state-of-the-art cold storage facility, you will be responsible for a wide range of warehouse duties, from receiving and stowing inbound shipments to accurately picking and preparing orders for dispatch. This physically demanding role requires precision, resilience, and a strong commitment to safety and quality control. You will utilize modern warehouse technology, including RF scanners and material handling equipment, to maintain inventory accuracy and operational efficiency in a sub-zero environment. If you are a dependable and hardworking individual who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting, this position offers a stable career with opportunities for growth.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Warehouse Associate
Retail Stocker or Receiver
Fast Food or Restaurant Kitchen Staff
General Laborer

Advancement To:

Warehouse Team Lead or Supervisor
Forklift Operator (Certified) or Equipment Specialist
Inventory Control Specialist
Quality Assurance (QA) Technician

Lateral Moves:

Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Dry Goods Warehouse Associate
Produce Packer/Handler

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive inbound shipments of frozen goods, verifying product counts and quality against purchase orders and bills of lading, and reporting any discrepancies or damages immediately.
Operate material handling equipment (MHE) such as electric pallet jacks, stand-up forklifts, and reach trucks to safely move products from receiving docks to designated freezer storage locations.
Utilize a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and RF scanning devices to accurately record the movement, location, and status of all inventory within the freezer.
Perform order selection duties by accurately picking products from freezer racks based on customer orders, ensuring the correct item, lot number, and quantity are selected.
Assemble and palletize customer orders, arranging items securely and logically to prevent damage during transit and to meet specific customer stacking requirements.
Prepare pallets for shipment by stretch-wrapping, labeling, and staging them in the appropriate outbound loading bay, ensuring all documentation is correct.
Conduct regular cycle counts and assist in full physical inventories to maintain a high level of inventory accuracy and investigate any variances.
Monitor and maintain the cleanliness and organization of the freezer and warehouse, removing empty pallets, clearing debris, and adhering to all sanitation protocols.
Adhere strictly to all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and food safety standards (such as GMP and HACCP) to ensure a safe working environment and maintain product integrity.
Perform routine pre-operation inspections on all MHE, reporting any maintenance needs or malfunctions to the supervisor to ensure equipment safety and reliability.
Carefully load outbound trucks, ensuring weight is distributed correctly and products are secured to prevent shifting and damage during transportation.
Rotate stock using the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) or First-Expired, First-Out (FEFO) methods to minimize spoilage and ensure product freshness.
Work effectively as part of a team, communicating clearly with supervisors, equipment operators, and other handlers to coordinate workflow and meet daily productivity goals.
Withstand and perform all job functions for extended periods in a cold storage environment, with temperatures often ranging from 0 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Inspect products for any signs of temperature abuse, contamination, or packaging defects during all stages of handling, from receiving to shipping.
Manage and consolidate partial pallets to optimize storage space within the freezer and improve warehouse efficiency.
Assist in unloading and sorting returned products (RMA), inspecting their condition and processing them according to established procedures.
Document and report all operational data accurately, including completed tasks, time logs, and any issues encountered during the shift.
Participate in ongoing safety and job-related training sessions to stay current with best practices and new operational procedures.
Handle products with care to prevent damage to packaging and contents, ensuring they remain in sellable condition.
Maintain a consistent and efficient pace to meet or exceed established performance metrics for picking, packing, and loading.

Secondary Functions

Assist with periodic cycle counts and support physical inventory verification to bolster the organization's inventory accuracy programs.
Provide constructive feedback on warehouse processes, system functionalities, and safety procedures to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Collaborate with adjacent departments, such as Quality Assurance and Transportation, to resolve any issues related to product quality or shipment logistics.
Participate actively in daily team meetings, safety briefings, and training sessions to foster a culture of safety and collaboration.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Material Handling Equipment (MHE) Operation: Proficiency in operating electric pallet jacks, forklifts, and reach trucks.
RF Scanner Proficiency: Experience using handheld radio-frequency scanners for order picking, put-away, and inventory tasks.
Warehouse Management System (WMS): Basic understanding and ability to interact with WMS software.
Order Picking & Packing: Proven ability to accurately select and assemble multi-item orders.
Inventory Control: Knowledge of cycle counting, stock rotation (FIFO/FEFO), and inventory management principles.
Cold Storage Acclimatization: Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in a sustained sub-zero environment.
Food Safety Knowledge (GMP/HACCP): Awareness of Good Manufacturing Practices and other food safety standards.
Basic Mathematical Skills: Ability to perform accurate counting, addition, and subtraction for inventory and order verification.
Loading & Unloading: Skill in properly loading and unloading trailers to ensure product stability and safety.
Palletizing & Wrapping: Competence in building stable pallets and using shrink-wrap machines effectively.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous in checking SKUs, lot numbers, and counts to ensure accuracy.
Physical Stamina & Strength: Ability to repeatedly lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs) and stand/walk for an entire shift.
Reliability & Punctuality: A consistent track record of being on time and dependable.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Works well with others to achieve shared operational goals.
Time Management: Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Adaptability: Capable of adjusting to changing priorities and working conditions.
Safety Consciousness: A strong commitment to following safety rules and procedures at all times.
Problem-Solving: Ability to identify issues (e.g., discrepancies, equipment faults) and report them appropriately.
Resilience: Mental and physical toughness to work comfortably and effectively in a challenging cold environment.
Communication Skills: Clearly communicates with team members and supervisors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate in Warehousing, Logistics, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Not Applicable

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of experience in a warehouse, distribution center, manufacturing, or similar physical labor role.

Preferred:

1+ years of experience working directly in a refrigerated or frozen warehouse environment is highly preferred.
Prior certification and experience operating a stand-up reach truck or forklift is a significant asset.