Lead Forklift Operator

We are a candle company located in Kansas City, KS. Yes, our candles are made here LOCALLY! For 75 years, Empire Candle Co. has soared above the industry standard to deliver our high-quality Tuscany candle and fragrance innovations. As a full-service manufacturer of candles, wax melts, and home fragrance accessories, we always strive to improve our customers' experience with our dynamic range of reliable products.

Position Overview

The Lead forklift operator is responsible for overseeing the daily warehouse activities including shipping, receiving, re-warehousing, order picking, and inventory control, to ensure customer orders are processed safely, accurately, efficiently, and on time. This role is expected to consistently uphold company standards, support organizational goals, and provide excellent service to both internal and external customers while fostering teamwork. The Lead is expected to perform a wide range of warehouse functions across multiple buildings based on workload demands, continually expanding their knowledge and expertise. In addition, the Lead is responsible for training and mentoring forklift operators and other warehouse staff on safe, efficient, and accurate work practices.

Position Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm

Pay Rate: $22/hour

Essential Job Functions

1. Partner with warehouse supervisors, managers, and leads to bridge communication between office and warehouse teams, ensuring both groups can effectively support team needs, customer requirements, and company assets.
2. Safely operate forklifts in environments with heavy foot traffic and dock congestion.
3. Use handheld RF scanners and desktop computers to complete system transactions that maintain accurate, real-time inventory.
4. Provide daily guidance by leading through example and coaching material handlers and PO labelers to ensure safe work practices, accurate picking, efficient performance, and ongoing skill development.
5. Stretch-wrap completed pallets manually or with automatic/semi-automatic equipment. Use certified pallet scales to weigh and record pallets, maintaining neat, legible, and compliant documentation.
6. Stage and reconcile outbound orders to ensure high On Time to Fill (OTIF) delivery.
7. Accurately receive and inventory inbound orders.
8. Work with Ecommerce and Samples Departments for inventory moves and shipping receiving needs.
9. Work with Quality Department to accurately stage and safely ensure inspections take place on time.
10. Demonstrate dependability, strong work ethic, accuracy, and a positive, team-focused attitude while performing all departmental tasks with energy and professionalism.
11. Work collaboratively with all departments in a professional, friendly, and enthusiastic manner while providing excellent service to both internal and external customers.
12. Ensure departmental assets (equipment, RF units, inventory, forklifts, etc.) are properly used and protected, and promptly report repair needs to the Supervisor.
13. Manage and control daily and weekly workloads, allocating labor appropriately to meet required timelines for inbound, outbound, PO labeling, order picking, inventory, cycle counts, and other tasks.
14. Demonstrate flexibility by assisting with any task or in any building as needed, leading by example in adaptability and willingness to support the team.
15. Understand internal and external customer requirements for receiving, storing, picking, and shipping products.
16. Perform scheduled cycle counts with high level of accuracy and efficiency.
17. Work to sort and clean a safe warehouse with scheduled routine cleaning tasks.
18. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements - Education, Skills and Experiences

The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for success in this role.

1. Minimum 2 years of experience in distribution, logistics, or a related field.
2. Ability to pass a basic math assessment, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and number recognition.
3. Strong logical reasoning and math skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve issues.
4. Experience operating stand-up forklifts, including loading, unloading, stock movements, PO labeling, and order picking, preferred.
5. Effective communication skills and a solid understanding of warehouse processes, with the ability to coach and train others, strongly needed.
6. Experience with inventory control, including performing accurate cycle counts to verify inventory records.
7. Proficiency with ERP systems and RF scanners; able to use Outlook, Word, Sage X3, and handheld scanners, and capable of assisting and training material handlers and PO labelers.
8. Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work with others in alignment with core values of compassion, caring, and a commitment to excellence in safety, inventory accuracy, and customer service.
9. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including overtime, based on operational needs.
10. Stand-up and/or Sit-down forklift certification will be required.

Physical Requirements - Physical & Environmental

1. The role involves standing, walking, bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching overhead, and lifting or carrying up to 35 pounds.
2. Prolonged periods of working on a computer.
3. Ability to maintain single-task focus and situational awareness.
4. Position requires the ability to stand and walk throughout the plant, and operate a forklift while handling materials.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Benefits: Health, dental, vision, STD, Basic & Voluntary Life insurance

Savings Plan: 401k Plan w/ strong employer match

Work/Life Balance: Vacation + PTO + Floating Holiday + seven (7) Paid Holidays

Education: Tuition Reimbursement Program

Health & Fitness: FREE Planet Fitness Membership

Good Smells: Largely discounted Candles + FREE candle giveaways

Diversity & Inclusion: We are candlemakers, who come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and currently employee nine (9) various nationalities, from twenty-two (22) countries.

And, we smell good too!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Empire Candle CO., LLC provides a competitive compensation and benefits package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associate with the job. While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the Company reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the job or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e., emergencies, changes in personnel, work load, rush jobs, or technological developments).