Hiring Warehouse Associate in Tolleson

Gourmet Foods International is a leading U.S. distributor of specialty and gourmet food products, serving 12,000+ clients including fine dining restaurants, boutique grocery stores, luxury hotels, and catering companies across 40 states. Our Tolleson, AZ distribution center is a 250,000-square-foot temperature-controlled facility handling products ranging from artisanal cheeses and imported charcuterie to fresh produce and frozen desserts. We are expanding our operations to meet growing client demand, and are hiring multiple Warehouse Associates to join our Tolleson team near Phoenix.

As a Warehouse Associate at our Tolleson facility, you will ensure the safe, accurate, and timely handling of food products destined for high-end food service clients across the Southwest. Unlike general warehouse roles, this position requires strict adherence to food safety regulations, as all products are for human consumption. You will work with a 30+ person team across three shifts, following clear standard operating procedures and regular training to meet federal and state food safety rules.

Your core measurable responsibilities include:
- Receiving and inspecting shipments of dry, refrigerated (2-4°C), and frozen (-18°C) food products, verifying quantities against purchase orders, checking for damage or expired dates, and logging all discrepancies in our warehouse management system (WMS) with 99% accuracy to avoid client billing errors.
- Picking, packing, and staging next-day delivery orders, meeting a 98% on-time fulfillment rate for priority clients including restaurant groups and hotel chains.
- Operating certified forklifts and pallet jacks to move 2,500 lb pallets, following OSHA safety protocols to achieve zero lost-time incidents per quarter as a team goal.
- Loading delivery trucks to meet weight distribution and temperature zone requirements, reducing transit product damage by 15% year-over-year through proper load securing.
- Participating in monthly cycle counts of high-value inventory (artisanal cheeses, imported oils, premium frozen goods), maintaining a maximum 0.5% inventory variance to reduce shrink.
- Maintaining work area cleanliness following HACCP guidelines to prevent cross-contamination, passing weekly sanitation audits with a 95% compliance rate or higher.
- Reporting damaged, expired, or temperature-compromised products to your shift supervisor within 15 minutes of discovery for proper disposal or return.
- Staging new product launches, ensuring all new SKUs are correctly labeled and stored in the appropriate temperature zone within 24 hours of arrival.

Our Tolleson facility prioritizes employee comfort and safety: dry storage is climate-controlled at 20°C, refrigerated zones provide insulated gear, and frozen zones enforce mandatory break schedules to prevent cold-related health issues. We offer three shift options: morning (6:00 AM – 2:30 PM), afternoon (2:00 PM – 10:30 PM), and night (10:00 PM – 6:30 AM), with a 30-minute paid break per shift. Voluntary overtime is available with time-and-a-half pay for hours over 40 per week. Our culture prioritizes safety: all new hires complete a 40-hour food safety and warehouse safety training program before working independently, and we hold monthly safety meetings to address process improvements.

To qualify, you must have 1 year of warehouse, distribution center, or food handling experience. Prior temperature-controlled food distribution experience is a strong plus, but not required for candidates with a proven track record of following safety and quality procedures. You must be able to lift 25 lbs regularly and 50 lbs occasionally, with or without reasonable accommodation. You must be comfortable working in temperatures as low as -18°C for frozen zone shifts, with insulated gear provided. A forklift certification is preferred, but we offer free on-site training and certification for candidates who pass the required safety assessment. You must be authorized to work in the U.S. and pass a background check and required food safety certification exam. Attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to follow English instructions are mandatory.

Required technical skills include proficiency in warehouse management systems (WMS), experience operating electric pallet jacks and forklifts, and familiarity with HACCP and FDA food safety regulations. Knowledge of barcode scanning, inventory counting, and truck loading best practices is also required. All new hires receive training on our specific WMS platform and food safety protocols during onboarding.

This role offers a competitive hourly wage of $17.00 to $21.00, depending on experience and shift assignment. Night and frozen zone shifts include a $1.50 per hour shift differential. Full-time employees are eligible for comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance after 90 days, with the company covering 70% of individual premium costs. You will receive 10 paid vacation days per year, 8 paid company holidays, and paid time off for illness or family emergencies. We provide free on-site forklift and food safety training, with reimbursement for external food safety courses. Employees also receive a 20% discount on all Gourmet Foods International products and discounted meals in our on-site cafeteria. Career growth opportunities include a promotion to Lead Warehouse Associate with a 10% pay increase after 6 months of strong performance, and access to Warehouse Supervisor and Operations Coordinator roles after 2 years, with full training support for internal candidates.

We are hosting a 4-day open house for Warehouse Associate candidates from Tuesday, April 21 to Friday, April 24, 2025, at our Tolleson distribution center (10401 W Van Buren, Tolleson, AZ 85353) from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. No appointment is required: bring a copy of your resume, a valid government-issued photo ID, and proof of U.S. work authorization (passport, permanent resident card, or work visa). You will complete a brief on-site application, have a 15-minute interview with a hiring manager, and receive a conditional job offer the same day if selected. Background checks and drug screenings are completed within 3 business days of the offer, with training starting April 28, 2025 for successful candidates. If you cannot attend the open house, submit your resume to [email protected] with the subject line "Warehouse Associate Application – [Your Full Name]". We review all applications received by April 20, 2025, and contact qualified candidates to schedule a virtual or in-person interview. Bring any existing forklift or food safety certification to the open house to speed up the hiring process.