Warehouse Associate - 1st Shift (Mon-Fri)

Job Details: Job Location: Storm Lake, IA - Storm Lake, IA, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Furst-McNess Company is hiring a full-time Warehouse Associate for our Storm Lake, IA location.  

Starting Pay Range: Compensation will be determined by relevant experience and the interview process

Pay Type: Hourly rate with overtime pay, paid bi-weekly  

Work Setting: Onsite, warehouse/production environment  

Core Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm (with available overtime as needed) 

Work Location: 2000 Expansion Blvd, Storm Lake, IA 50588

Benefit Package: We offer a comprehensive benefits program designed to promote health, financial security, and work‑life balance. See our benefits summary below.   

POSITION SUMMARY:   

The Warehouse Associate supports daily shipping, receiving, and material handling operations within a manufacturing warehouse environment. This role is heavily forklift focused, involving the safe movement of pallets, staging materials for production, loading and unloading trailers, and maintaining accurate inventory flow. The Warehouse Associate helps ensure efficient warehouse operations while upholding company safety, quality, and regulatory standards.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Operate forklift safely to move, load, unload, and stage materials and finished goods  

Load and unload trucks, trailers, and inbound/outbound shipments  

Receive, store, and organize materials in designated warehouse locations  

Perform basic inventory tasks, data entry, may include scanning (depending on work location), and transaction updates in warehouse systems (SAP experience a plus)  

Maintain a clean, organized, and safe warehouse environment  

Assist with general shipping and receiving activities, including preparing orders and verifying documentation  

Communicate effectively with supervisors, drivers, and production teams to support daily workflow  

Follow all safety guidelines, wear required PPE, equipment lockout/tagout, and comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory requirements  

Support production tasks as needed  

Performs other duties as assigned  

QUALIFICATIONS:  

High school diploma or equivalent  

Previous warehouse, shipping/receiving, material handling, or related experience is preferred  

Forklift certification preferred; willingness to obtain certification with company support     

Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team  

Ability to read, write, and speak English and perform basic math calculations  

Basic computer/data entry skills  

Familiarity with inventory systems preferred  

Willingness to work in an indoor warehouse environment with temperature fluctuations due to seasonal weather conditions   

Commitment to safety, quality, and maintaining a clean work environment  

Ability to work at heights, climb stairs or ladders, and perform physical tasks throughout the shift  

Ability to lift up to 70 lbs., and safely maneuver palletized loads using warehouse equipment  

About Furst-McNess Company:  

For more than a century, Furst-McNess Company has been a trusted leader in animal nutrition, delivering innovative feed, mineral, and management solutions to livestock producers across the United States. Our longstanding commitment to quality, integrity, and exceptional customer service guides everything we do. We bring together deep industry expertise and a people‑first culture built on safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Above all, we are dedicated to “Doing What’s Right” for animals, producers, and the future of agriculture. Learn more about us at https://www.mcness.com/ 

Locations: We have facilities and offices located throughout the United States, as well as an office in London, Ontario, Canada. 

Our Culture:   

At Furst-McNess, we strive to:   

Understand that being great is a choice  

Never settle for average or “good enough”  

Relentlessly search for ways to serve our customers better  

Work as a team  

Value and respect one another  

Earn trust through our actions  

Act in a safe and professional manner at all times  

Conduct ourselves with the highest level of integrity  

Deliver on the commitments we make  

Invest in our professional and personal development  

Maintain a positive work environment that promotes success  

Have fun and celebrate our successes 

Benefit Package Summary: 

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)  

401(k) Retirement Plan with company match up to 5% 

Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, and Paid Floating Holidays  

100% Company-Paid Benefits: Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance, with additional coverage options for employees and dependents 

Fitness Reimbursement, $200 annually 

Safety Boot Reimbursement 

PPE provided

Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
•    Be able to succeed within and adhere to the culture of the Furst-McNess Company.
•    Ability to perform essential job functions with or without accommodation.
•    Education equivalent to high school diploma and preferably experience with handling materials.
•    Ability to read, write, and speak English and perform basic mathematical calculations.
•    Ability to ascend ladders and various heights using stairs, elevated walkways and/or elevators.
•    Ability to lift, carry, push, pull and/or stoop up to 70 lbs. of material on a regular or continuous basis.
•    Ability to maneuver heavy loads (up to 2,000 lbs. pallets) with a pallet jack; safely operate all equipment along with being a certified forklift operator.
•    Ability to perform cleaning operations while exposed to dusty environment, and ability to wear/use all appropriate protective equipment. 
•    Ability to work days or hours that the business requires.
•    Ability to perform data entry operations required to process receipts of materials/products.
•    Ability to learn and comply with GMP and regulatory requirements imposed on manufacturing facilities by the FDA, OSHA and EPA in regard to manufacturing of food and drug products.
•    Good communication skills, both oral and written, and is capable of utilizing these skills within all levels of the Company as well as externally.
•    Ability to provide outstanding customer service to all associates and management staff, showing a sense of urgency relative to solving problems, performing assigned tasks, employee concerns, etc.
•    Ability to effectively organize work schedules and manage multiple assignments by utilizing time management skills to ensure day-to-day assignments and special projects are completed within guidelines agreed upon.
•    Ability to work as an effective team member with the manufacturing department and company, as a whole.  Willingness to pitch in and do work that may not be a specific part of the job description for the overall good of the department and company.
•    Ability to be flexible and be willing to change along with recommending changes that can enhance our ability to serve both internal and external customers more effectively and in a professional manner.  Respect other peoples’ points of view and able to take constructive criticism.