Job Description

Be the First Step in Delivering Quality

Every day at Upper Lakes Foods begins with deliveries arriving from trusted suppliers, bringing the products our customers depend on. As a Warehouse Associate – Receiving Team Member, you'll be one of the first people to handle those products, playing a critical role in ensuring every shipment is accurate, safe, and ready for distribution.

Success in this role means more than unloading trucks. It means being the first line of quality control, ensuring every shipment meets our standards before it reaches our warehouse shelves and, ultimately, our customers. Your attention to detail helps maintain inventory accuracy, protect food safety, and support the exceptional service Upper Lakes Foods is known for throughout the Upper Midwest.

What You'll Do

No two days are exactly alike. You may begin your shift by receiving deliveries from vendors, carefully inspecting products for quality, verifying quantities against purchase orders, and checking expiration dates and storage temperatures. Throughout the day, you'll organize inventory, rotate products using First-In, First-Out (FIFO) practices, and ensure products are stored properly in dry, refrigerated, or freezer environments.

Working alongside teammates in purchasing, transportation, and warehouse operations, you'll help resolve discrepancies, maintain accurate inventory records, and keep products moving efficiently through our facility. You'll use warehouse equipment such as pallet jacks and forklifts (certification provided if needed), enter receiving information into our warehouse management system, assist with inventory counts, and support continuous improvement efforts that enhance efficiency and reduce waste.

Safety & Quality Commitment

Safety and food quality are at the center of everything we do. You'll help maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary work environment while following all company policies as well as HACCP, GMP, OSHA, and food safety regulations. Your commitment to these standards ensures our customers receive safe, high-quality products and helps create a workplace where every team member can succeed.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who enjoys staying organized, takes pride in doing things the right way, and understands that small details make a big difference. Whether you have previous warehouse or food distribution experience or you're looking to build a career in the industry, we value individuals with a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Basic computer and data entry skills.
• Strong attention to detail and inventory accuracy.
• Effective communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous warehouse, receiving, foodservice, or distribution experience.
• Experience working in refrigerated or frozen warehouse environments.
• Forklift certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS) or RF scanners.
• Knowledge of food safety, HACCP, inventory control, and warehouse best practices.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This is an active, hands-on position. You'll spend much of your day standing, walking, bending, lifting, and moving products throughout dry, refrigerated, and freezer warehouse environments. The role requires regularly lifting up to 50 pounds and occasionally more than 60 pounds while safely operating warehouse equipment such as pallet jacks and forklifts.

You'll work in environments that may be cold, wet, humid, and noisy. Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as business needs require is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join Upper Lakes Foods?

Upper Lakes Foods is the largest independent wholesale food distributor in Minnesota, proudly serving restaurants, schools, healthcare facilities, assisted living communities, and national foodservice accounts across the Upper Midwest. With locations in Cloquet, Minnesota; Northfield, Minnesota; and Janesville, Wisconsin, we have built our reputation on dependable service, quality products, and dedicated employees.

When you join our team, you become part of a company that values hard work, supports professional growth, and believes every employee contributes to our success.

Our Core Values

Everything we do is guided by six core values:

• Strong Work Ethic – We believe in hard work, perseverance, and consistency.
• Positive Attitude – We encourage optimism, flexibility, and solutions.
• Integrity – We do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
• Teamwork – We achieve more together.
• Professional Appearance – We represent ourselves and our company with pride.
• Respectful Interaction – We foster a workplace built on fairness, safety, and mutual respect.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Upper Lakes Foods is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Full job description located on the Upper Lakes Foods careers website.