Operator, Forklift

About the role

The Warehouse Lead reports to the Warehouse Supervisor and is based out of our Hendersonville, North Carolina location. This individual will lead and direct the entire shift of the warehouse operation, focusing on production support and customer service. The role involves problem-solving, prioritizing daily work assignments, and ensuring coverage for call-outs, absences, and vacations.

Responsibilities

• Check in drivers, load trucks using the BOL and FIFO method, complete the load, print the BOL, and sign out the driver.
• Load, unload, and pre-stage finished goods and ingredient loads.
• Lead by example and direct others in the clean-as-you-go program.
• Conduct daily walk-throughs of the area and communicate findings to warehouse employees.
• Provide positive recognition to employees who exhibit good behavior in their work area.
• Coordinate the clean-up of any findings during walk-throughs and communicate gaps to other shifts and departments.
• Ensure product rotation by setting expectations and leading by example with forklift drivers to ship the oldest product first.
• Audit shippers to verify the oldest product was pulled and coach employees when gaps are identified.
• Maintain product quality by ensuring proper rotation, correct tagging, and preventing damage in the warehouse.
• Perform audits on tagging locations to verify tags were completed correctly on each line.
• Follow up on rotation in shipping to ensure the oldest product was sent and place any old-age product on hold.
• Partner with the Warehouse Supervisor to communicate shortages to the Sales Service Coordinator.
• Estimate and prioritize daily work assignments based on workflow, time constraints, and manpower.
• Follow up on assignments to ensure satisfactory completion.
• Train new employees in the assigned work area.
• Lead by example and assist others who may need guidance.
• Be accessible for employees to ask questions regarding areas of expertise.
• Provide feedback to managers on individual and team performance.
• Ensure accountability for food safety, food quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Notify management about actual or potential food safety issues.
• Adopt and maintain all SQF requirements for the position.
• Work with supervision to resolve food safety and food quality issues within scope.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Forklift certification.
• One year of warehousing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food/beverage industry.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task.
• Proven organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to estimate and prioritize daily work assignments.
• Ability to work independently.
• Credibility and integrity.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to train others as needed.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a typical office setting, drive a motor vehicle, and occasionally work in the field.

• Frequent: Sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck, fine finger dexterity, light to moderate finger pressure (extended keyboard and mouse use), side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials.
• Occasional: Squatting, kneeling, reaching above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals, lifting objects weighing up to 50 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.