Warehouse Associate - 1st Shift (Mon-Fri)

DescriptionFurst-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

QualificationsMINIMUM 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.