Entry Level Packaging Labeling Jobs in Washington, DC

Processing Room Associate

Night Shift • Entry-Level Opportunity • Elkridge, Maryland

SHIFT Night Shift (10 P.M.-6:30 A.M.)

PAY RATE $18.00/hour 

STATUS Entry Level 

REPORTS TO Processing Supervisor/Manager

The Opportunity

Start here. Build your future. This is an entry-level role in our Processing Room and a strong starting point for someone who wants to learn the seafood business. No seafood-processing experience is required. Team members who demonstrate reliability, safety, accuracy, and a willingness to learn will have opportunities to cross-train and grow within the operation.

What You’ll Do

Fish Runner

•Use a daily pull list to locate and move the correct fish from the warehouse to the Processing Room and cutting stations.

•Read and match product codes and labels on boxes to ensure the correct product is selected.

•Support inventory accuracy by handling product carefully and reporting missing, damaged, or incorrectly labeled items.

Scaler

•Remove whole fish and seafood products from boxes and load them safely into the scaling machine.

•Perform frequent, repetitive lifting of boxes and fish weighing 50 pounds or more; some items may weigh up to 100 pounds.

•Use safe lifting practices while repeatedly bending, reaching, twisting, and moving product throughout the shift.

Icing & Product Movement

•Scoop and transport ice from the ice machine and apply ice to seafood products to maintain freshness and quality.

•Bring product to and from the icing area and keep workflow moving between stations.

•Safely maneuver a manual pallet jack to transport product and materials.

Additional Responsibilities

•Assist cutters, packers, and other Processing Room team members as production needs change.

•Inspect fish, boxes, and materials for quality concerns and promptly notify a lead or supervisor.

•Keep assigned work areas clean, organized, and compliant with food-safety and sanitation requirements.

•Follow all safety procedures, SOPs, training requirements, and supervisor instructions.

•Perform other duties and cross-training assignments as needed.

REGULAR ASSIGNED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•Responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of processing fish under their control.

•Assist in training others in the processing of product on as needed basis.

•Ensure HACCP procedures are followed.

•Ensures the yields received on product are up to JJ Standards. 

•Ensures the quality received on product are up to JJ Standards. 

•Maintain good working relationship with all team members.

•Maintain cleaning schedules for processing room along with appropriate documentation.

•Understands proper procedures in sharpening knives to maintain quality and yields.

•Reviews and understands all SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures). 

Accountabilities:

•Company uniform

•Products/inventory in your care   

OTHER DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

•Cross train to help other team members as a backup.

•Complete projects and other duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

•High School Diploma (Preferred)

•Prior experience in wholesale trade industry preferred.

•Knowledge of seafood, proper temperature storage and handling regulations.

•Must have prior experience in a warehouse environment along with the operation of warehouse equipment.

•Able to learn SeaSoft and / or other software package.

•Excellent problem solving and organizational skills.

•Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

•Basic arithmetic ability needed to count and take inventory.

•Able to transfer attention from one task to another frequently without affecting performance.

What We’re Looking For

•Dependable, punctual, safety-minded, and ready to work in a fast-paced team environment.

•Able to read English product codes, labels, and pull lists accurately; basic writing skills required.

•Basic inventory or warehouse knowledge is helpful but not required.

•Previous warehouse, food-processing, manufacturing, or pallet-jack experience is a plus, but we will train the right person.

•High school diploma or GED preferred, but not required.

•Spanish language skills are a plus, but not required.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

The work environment characteristic described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•Ability to frequently lift and move 50 pounds or more and, when required, lift or move items weighing up to 100 pounds safely.

•Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and repeatedly bend, stoop, reach, push, pull, and twist throughout the shift.

•Ability to work in a refrigerated processing and warehouse environment generally around 35°F, with wet or humid conditions and noise levels ranging from quiet to loud.

•Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, which may include gloves, hair nets, hearing protection, and safety glasses.

•Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

•While performing the duties of this job, the employee works mostly indoors in an office environment and on occasion outside for brief periods of time. The employee can be exposed to wet and/or humid, hot, cold, and snow conditions, fumes or airborne particles and vibration.

•The noise level in the work environment can range from quiet to loud in the field.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Benefits: J.J. McDonnell offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

•Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

•Voluntary Short-term & Long-term Disability

•Employee Assistance Program

•401(k) plan

•Other employee perks

About J.J. McDonnell

Founded in 1945, J.J. McDonnell is a leading seafood provider serving Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. We provide high-quality fresh and frozen seafood, industry knowledge, and dependable service to customers ranging from independent restaurants to national chains.

Equal Opportunity Employer

J.J. McDonnell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

This requisition summarizes the position and does not constitute an employment agreement. Duties and requirements may change based on business needs.