Hiring Warehouse Associate in Tolleson, AZ

Gourmet Foods International is a premier specialty food distributor serving 2,000+ gourmet retailers, farm-to-table restaurants, luxury hospitality groups, and specialty grocery chains across Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Southern California. For over 25 years, we have sourced artisanal cheeses, cured meats, imported pantry staples, and specialty ingredients from small-batch producers across 30 countries, building a reputation for reliable, temperature-controlled delivery of high-value perishable goods. Our 50,000 sq ft Tolleson distribution center is the hub of our Southwest operations, and we are expanding our team to support 18% year-over-year growth in client demand, with a focus on reducing order fulfillment times and maintaining the strict food safety standards our clients rely on.

We are hosting a four-day open house hiring event to fill 12 full-time Warehouse Associate roles, with start dates available as early as April 28, 2025. This is not a temporary seasonal position: all hires will be placed on permanent full-time schedules with consistent 40-hour work weeks, and access to full employee benefits after a 90-day probationary period.

In this role, you will be responsible for end-to-end warehouse operations focused on perishable gourmet food inventory. Your core responsibilities will include:
1. Pick, pack, and stage 150+ client orders per shift using RF scanning devices integrated with our Manhattan Associates WMS, maintaining a 98%+ order accuracy rate to ensure clients receive the correct products on their scheduled delivery windows.
2. Operate electric pallet jacks and sit-down forklifts to move 2,000+ lbs of temperature-controlled inventory between refrigerated (34-40°F), frozen (0-10°F), and ambient storage zones, following all OSHA equipment safety protocols and completing pre-operation equipment checks before each shift.
3. Conduct daily cycle counts of 200+ high-value SKUs including imported truffle products, aged artisanal cheeses, and premium cured meats, maintaining 99.5% inventory accuracy and flagging discrepancies to the inventory control team within 2 hours of discovery to prevent stockouts or overstocking.
4. Load and secure outbound delivery trucks for 30+ daily routes across the Southwest, verifying shipment documentation matches order contents and complying with all FDA food transport safety regulations to prevent product spoilage or cross-contamination during transit.
5. Maintain strict cleanliness and organization of all warehouse zones, including sanitizing refrigerated storage surfaces daily, reorganizing slow-moving inventory to optimize storage space, and disposing of expired or damaged products in compliance with food safety guidelines.
6. Collaborate with the quality assurance team to inspect 100+ pallets of incoming new product shipments weekly, flagging damaged, mislabeled, or expired goods to prevent compromised inventory from entering the supply chain and reaching clients.
7. Update WMS records for all completed orders, client returns, and inventory adjustments at the end of each shift, ensuring system data matches physical stock counts to support accurate financial reporting and inventory planning.
8. Assist with quarterly physical inventory audits across the full 50,000 sq ft facility, counting and verifying stock to meet annual financial reporting requirements and identify process improvements for inventory accuracy.

Our Tolleson facility is a temperature-controlled, well-lit workspace with ergonomic lifting equipment to reduce physical strain. We offer a 10-minute paid break every 2 hours, a fully stocked break room with free gourmet snack samples (cheese, cured meats, imported chocolates) that staff are welcome to take home, monthly team lunches, and an employee discount program offering 30% off all Gourmet Foods International products for personal use. 90% of our current warehouse leadership team was promoted from within the organization, so we prioritize internal growth and development for all staff.

To qualify for this role, you must have at least 1 year of verifiable warehouse experience, the ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly, stand and walk for full 8-hour shifts, and read and understand shipping labels, inventory documentation, and safety protocols in English. Forklift certification is a plus, but we provide free certification training for all new hires who do not already hold a valid credential. All hires must pass a background check and pre-employment drug screening.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits to support our team members: starting hourly rates range from $18.50 to $21.50 depending on prior experience, with an additional $1.50 per hour shift differential for staff assigned to refrigerated or frozen storage zones. All full-time roles include 40 guaranteed hours per week, weekly direct deposit, medical/dental/vision insurance available after 90 days of employment, a 401(k) plan with a 3% company match after 1 year of tenure, 10 paid vacation days per year, 7 paid company holidays, and tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 per year for supply chain, logistics, or operations management certifications.

Career growth is a core priority for our warehouse team. We have a clear promotion path from Warehouse Associate to Inventory Control Specialist, Shift Lead, Operations Coordinator, and Warehouse Manager. We provide free advanced WMS training, forklift certification, and leadership development programs for staff interested in advancing their careers. 75% of our current management team started as warehouse associates 3 to 5 years ago, so this role can be a long-term career path, not just a temporary job.

Our open house hiring event runs from Tuesday, April 21 to Friday, April 24, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 10401 W Van Buren, Tolleson, AZ 85353. Walk-ins are welcome: bring a valid government-issued photo ID and proof of previous warehouse experience (such as recent pay stubs, a reference letter from a former supervisor, or a past offer letter). You will complete a brief application, take a 15-minute basic skills assessment (including a lifting test and equipment operation knowledge check), and have a same-day interview with the operations manager. If selected, you will complete a background check and drug screening within 3 business days, with start dates available as early as April 28. You can also pre-register for the open house by emailing your resume to [email protected]. No cover letter is required for pre-registration.