Forklift Driver- 1st Shift

Forklift Driver- 1st Shift

NEW LENOX, IL 60451

Overview

Salary Range $23.00 - $26.00 Hourly Job Shift 1st Shift

Description

NLX Beverage Solutions, LLC firmly believes that our employees are the heart of our success. This position description is designed to outline primary duties and qualifications, but not limit one to specified duties, to ensure individual and group success.

Job Summary

The Forklift Driver plays a critical role in supporting the efficiency and success of the NLX Warehouse and Production Departments. This position requires the ability to safely and skillfully operate a counterbalance forklift, including navigating narrow aisles and performing efficient and precise trailer loading and unloading.

Success in this role depends on strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment. The Forklift Driver ensures that materials and finished goods are handled and moved safely, accurately, and in alignment with all safety protocols and operational standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate a powered industrial forklift, performing required pre-shift inspections and promptly reporting any mechanical issues to the supervisor
• Use pallet jacks to transport packaging materials and finished goods as needed
• Transfer pallets from production areas to warehouse storage locations accurately and efficiently
• Re-palletize finished goods as necessary to ensure proper stacking, stability, and storage compliance
• Create and apply accurate pallet labels in the inventory system to support production tracking
• Complete all required documentation legibly and accurately, including material movement logs and storage records
• Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and organized warehouse environment in alignment with company standards
• Help with ongoing organization of warehouse areas, including staging zones and storage racks
• Foster strong interdepartmental communication to ensure smooth coordination between production, warehouse, and logistics teams
• Follow all applicable plant policies, including GMPs, SOPs, SQF, safety procedures, and HACCP protocols
• Perform all duties in a safe, efficient, and team-oriented manner, even under pressure or in high-demand situations
• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow all safety guidelines consistently
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Skills

• High school diploma or GED required; 1+ years of powered industrial equipment operation/driving, specifically with stand-up forklifts
• Experience with ERP/WMS systems preferred
• Demonstrated ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to ensure understanding of written procedures, safety instructions, technical documentation, and verbal communications.
• Basic math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and use of weights and measures. Must be comfortable using a calculator.
• Familiarity with basic computer systems and control interfaces.
• Basic understanding of food production and food safety principles is a plus.
• Team-oriented attitude; respectful, approachable, honest, dependable, and adaptable to change. Capable of resolving conflicts professionally.
• Able to prioritize tasks and remain productive under shifting demands.
• Follows both written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Highly motivated, reliable, and hands-on with a strong problem-solving mindset.
• Able to identify and address inconsistencies or quality issues with accuracy and precision.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled hours during peak periods or critical operations
• Must possess adequate vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to meet essential job performance and safety standards.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and regularly perform physical tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and using hands for detailed tasks
• Physically capable of performing tasks such as lifting, climbing, and using hand and power tools, including pallet jacks, scales, ladders, and standard material handling and cleaning equipment
• Capable of safely lifting up to 55 pounds frequently throughout the day; ability to handle heavier items with proper lifting equipment or team-assisted techniques to ensure safety

Work Environment

Employees must be able to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment that may include exposure to odors, dust, moderate noise levels, and fluctuations in temperature and ventilation. Work environment may involve exposure to inclement weather. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times, which may include but is not limited to: safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, gloves, hairnets, uniforms, and face shields, as required by specific job duties and safety protocols.