Hiring Warehouse Associate in Tolleson, AZ (Phoenix Metro)

Gourmet Foods International is a premier specialty food distributor operating across the Southwest United States, serving more than 2,500 independent restaurants, boutique catering companies, specialty retail grocers, and institutional food service providers with a curated catalog of artisanal, imported, and gourmet food products. Our 120,000 square foot climate-controlled distribution center in Tolleson, AZ (Phoenix metro) is the hub of our regional operations, processing over 1.2 million units of product annually, including temperature-sensitive items like imported cheeses, cured meats, fresh produce, and specialty dairy that require strict cold chain compliance. Unlike large bulk food distributors, we prioritize product integrity and accurate order fulfillment to ensure our clients receive premium, undamaged goods for their end customers.

We are currently hiring 15 full-time Warehouse Associates to join our growing Tolleson operations team, with multiple openings across morning, afternoon, and overnight shifts to support our 2024 regional expansion. This is not a seasonal or temporary role: all positions are permanent full-time with consistent year-round hours, clear performance-based pay increases, and defined pathways to advancement into lead, supervisory, or logistics specialist roles within 12-24 months for high-performing team members. We are hosting a four-day in-person open house April 21–24, 2024 at our Tolleson facility for walk-in interviews, so candidates can complete the full interview and onboarding process in as little as 48 hours for qualified applicants.

Key measurable responsibilities for this role include:
1. Pick, pack, and stage customer orders using RF handheld scanners and voice-directed picking technology, maintaining a minimum 99.8% order accuracy rate and meeting daily productivity targets of 80-100 units per hour for standard orders, with adjusted targets for bulk food service orders exceeding 500 units per shipment.
2. Operate certified sit-down forklifts, stand-up reach trucks, and electric pallet jacks to move palletized product throughout the facility, placing items in the correct ambient, refrigerated (34–40°F), or frozen (-10°F) storage zones, with a target of zero product damage incidents per month.
3. Conduct daily cycle counts of high-value gourmet products (including imported truffles, artisanal olive oils, and specialty cheeses) with 99.9% inventory accuracy, documenting stock variances in our Manhattan Associates WMS and escalating discrepancies to the inventory control team within 24 hours of discovery.
4. Verify incoming shipments from domestic and international food suppliers against purchase orders and bills of lading, inspecting for temperature compliance, damaged packaging, and correct product specifications, and flagging non-compliant deliveries to the quality assurance team immediately for resolution.
5. Prepare outbound shipments for local Phoenix metro and regional delivery routes, including proper labeling, weight verification, and temperature documentation for cold chain shipments, ensuring full compliance with FDA food safety regulations and DOT guidelines for perishable goods.
6. Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment by following 5S workplace organization standards, cleaning spills within 15 minutes of discovery, reporting damaged equipment or safety hazards to the shift supervisor immediately, and participating in weekly deep clean sessions for cold storage zones.
7. Support the quality assurance team with monthly food safety audits, including verifying expiration dates, enforcing first-in-first-out (FIFO) stock rotation, and removing expired or recalled products from storage areas per company recall protocols.
8. Collaborate with cross-functional logistics, customer service, and quality assurance teams to resolve order discrepancies, address client delivery concerns, and implement process improvements that reduce average order processing time by 5% per quarter.

Our Tolleson facility operates 24/7 with three shift options to accommodate different scheduling needs: morning shift (6:00 AM – 2:00 PM), afternoon shift (2:00 PM – 10:00 PM), and overnight shift (10:00 PM – 6:00 AM), with optional weekend shifts available for an additional $2 per hour premium. All new hires complete a 40-hour paid training program covering warehouse operations, food safety protocols, forklift certification (for candidates without prior certification, fully paid by the company), and company policies, with a dedicated experienced mentor assigned for the first 30 days on the job to support onboarding. Our team culture prioritizes safety and respect above all else: we have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or unsafe behavior, and hold 15-minute daily huddles at the start of each shift to share safety updates, recognize team wins, and gather feedback on process improvements. The facility is fully climate-controlled, with break rooms equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, and free filtered water, and we provide all required PPE including insulated gloves for cold storage shifts, steel-toe boots (reimbursed up to $150 per year for new hires), and high-visibility safety vests.

Required qualifications for all applicants: Minimum 1 year of experience working in a warehouse, distribution center, food processing, or cold storage facility; ability to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly throughout an 8–10 hour shift, bend, squat, climb ladders, and stand for extended periods; ability to read and follow written instructions, including safety procedures, product labels, and shipping documentation; basic math skills to count inventory, verify order quantities, and measure product weights; ability to pass a pre-employment background check, drug screening, and food safety training certification. Preferred qualifications that will move your application to the top of the review pile: Active OSHA 10 or 30 certification; certified forklift operator with experience using sit-down and stand-up forklifts; experience working in a food distribution or temperature-controlled storage environment; familiarity with WMS platforms including Manhattan Associates, SAP EWM, or HighJump; bilingual English/Spanish proficiency to support communication with our 60% Spanish-speaking frontline team and Spanish-speaking clients; experience using RF scanners and voice-directed picking systems.

Team members in this role will regularly use the following tools and systems: Manhattan Associates Warehouse Management System (WMS), RF handheld scanning devices, voice-directed picking technology, sit-down/stand-up forklifts, electric pallet jacks, reach trucks, digital temperature monitoring devices for cold storage zones, DOT shipment documentation software, and 5S workplace organization tools.

Compensation for this role is competitive with the Phoenix metro market for food distribution warehouse roles, with starting pay ranging from $18.50 per hour for entry-level candidates with no prior experience to $22.50 per hour for candidates with 2+ years of relevant food distribution or cold storage experience. All full-time employees receive a $0.75 per hour shift differential for afternoon shifts and a $1.00 per hour shift differential for overnight shifts, plus a $2 per hour premium for optional weekend shifts. Our benefits package takes effect on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment, and includes: 90% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee-only coverage (with contributions for spouse and dependent coverage); 10 days of paid time off (PTO) per year, plus 6 paid company holidays; 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% company match, even for part-time employees working 30+ hours per week; fully paid term life and short-term disability insurance; tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 per year for courses related to supply chain management, logistics, or food safety; free on-site annual health screenings and flu shots; a 20% employee discount on all Gourmet Foods International products for personal use; and reimbursement for professional certification costs including forklift certification, OSHA training, and food safety manager credentials.

We prioritize internal promotion for all leadership and specialist roles: 72% of our current shift leads, warehouse supervisors, and inventory control specialists were promoted from entry-level warehouse associate positions within the company. High-performing associates with 12 months of consistent on-the-job performance are eligible for promotion to Senior Warehouse Associate, which includes a $2 per hour pay increase and additional responsibilities including mentoring new hires and leading small project teams. After 18–24 months as a Senior Associate, top performers can apply for Shift Lead roles, which include a $4 per hour pay increase, supervisory responsibilities for a 10+ person team, and access to leadership training programs. We also offer cross-training opportunities in logistics coordination, quality assurance, and inventory control for associates interested in expanding their skill sets, with dedicated training budgets for professional certifications including the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.

Our hiring process is designed to be fast and low-friction for all candidates. All applicants who submit a resume will be contacted within 2 business days to schedule a 15-minute phone screen with our warehouse operations manager to discuss your experience and schedule preferences. Candidates who pass the phone screen will be invited to attend our in-person open house April 21–24, 2024 at 10401 W Van Buren, Tolleson, AZ 85353, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, where they will complete a brief skills assessment and on-site interview with a hiring manager, with job offers extended to qualified candidates the same day. Candidates who are unable to attend the open house can schedule a separate in-person interview at our facility at a time that works for their schedule. We are targeting to fill all 15 open positions by May 1, 2024, so we encourage all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to secure a spot in our upcoming onboarding class. To apply, submit your resume and a brief summary of your relevant warehouse or food handling experience to [email protected] with the subject line “Warehouse Associate Application – [Your Full Name]”, or walk in to our open house with a valid government-issued ID and a copy of your resume for on-site interviewing and priority consideration for qualified candidates.