Forklift Operator - 1st Shift

KIK Consumer Products; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

KIK Consumer Products is seeking a Forklift Operator 1st Shift at our Virginia manufacturing site to move raw materials, packaging, and finished goods. You will operate forklifts, perform basic inventory tasks, and help maintain a safe, organized warehouse.

This entry-level role emphasizes safety, quality, teamwork, and GMP compliance. The position offers $21.63 per hour, certification opportunities, and comprehensive benefits as part of a large consumer‑products company.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• At least 1 year of forklift experience in manufacturing or warehousing.
• Forklift certification or ability to obtain on hire.
• Ability to read shipping documents, labels, and inventory records.
• Strong attention to detail, teamwork and safety.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and different work areas.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts and other material handling equipment.
• Load/unload trailers and move materials to designated locations.
• Perform basic inventory transactions using RF scanners or WMS.
• Conduct visual quality checks before shipment.
• Maintain clean, organized, and inspection-ready workspace.
• Follow GMPs, SOPs and safety policies.
• Report safety concerns or equipment issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Forklift operation

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Inventory transactions

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

RF scanners

Warehouse management system

Forklift certification

Job description

Job Description

We Create Products and Brands That People Trust to Clean, Sanitize, and Protect Their Homes and Pools

When you join KIK Consumer Products, you’re joining a team that cares about the work we do and also about each other. We bring exceptional brands and products to consumers that help them protect the health and wellness of their families and the cleanliness of their homes and pools. We are committed to building a culture of performance driven by accountability, collaboration, and agility that enables timely fact-based decision-making and exceptional execution with unwavering ethics. As one of North America’s largest independent manufacturers of consumer products, KIK helps a large portfolio of brands and retailers bring their products to life.

Job Description

We Create Products and Brands That People Trust to Clean, Sanitize, and Protect Their Homes and Pools

When you join KIK Consumer Products, you’re joining a team that cares about the work we do and also about each other. We bring exceptional brands and products to consumers that help them protect the health and wellness of their families and the cleanliness of their homes and pools. We are committed to building a culture of performance driven by accountability, collaboration, and agility that enables timely fact-based decision-making and exceptional execution with unwavering ethics. As one of North America’s largest independent manufacturers of consumer products, KIK helps a large portfolio of brands and retailers bring their products to life.

Your Role at KIK

We are seeking a Forklift Operator 1 on 1st Shift (6:00 am–04:30pm, Mon – Thurs and 6:00am – 02:30pm Friday with weekends as business needs require). In this entry-level material handling role, you will safely move raw materials, packaging, and finished goods throughout the facility to support production and shipping operations. You will operate forklifts and other material handling equipment, complete basic inventory transactions, and help maintain a safe, organized warehouse. Success in this role requires a commitment to safety, quality, teamwork, and following established procedures in a fast-paced manufacturing environment operating under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). This position has an hourly rate of $21.63.

What You’ll Do

• Safely operate forklifts and other material handling equipment to load, unload, transport, and stage raw materials, packaging, and finished goods
• Load and unload trailers while accurately placing inventory into designated warehouse locations
• Complete basic inventory transactions using RF scanners or warehouse management systems, including receipts, moves, and cycle counts
• Perform visual quality inspections of finished goods before shipment, ensuring products, pallets, labels, and packaging meet company and customer standards
• Re-stack, wrap, or secure pallets as needed to maintain safe, stable loads and prevent product damage
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection‑ready work area by following 5S, GMP, and housekeeping standards
• Promptly report safety concerns, damaged product, equipment issues, or near misses
• Follow all company safety policies, SOPs, GMPs, PPE requirements, and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

What You’ll Bring

• High School Diploma or GED
• At least 1 year of forklift experience in manufacturing or warehousing preferred
• Forklift certification or ability to successfully complete company certification upon hire
• Ability to read shipping documents, labels, and inventory records
• Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and commitment to safety
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and different work areas as business needs require

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and climb on/off forklifts throughout 10–12 hour shifts
• Frequently lift up to 50 pounds
• Work in a non-temperature-controlled manufacturing environment while wearing required PPE

What You Will Get

KIK offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health, wellness, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. You can plan for your future with KIK’s retirement savings options including employer match. KIK also recognizes the importance of continuing education and offers Education Assistance to our employees to encourage continued personal development and growth.

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. This position has an hourly rate of $21.63 per hour. The actual hourly rate may vary based upon several factors including your relevant skills and experience.

About KIK

We create the products and brands that people trust to clean, sanitize, and protect their homes and pools. We are one of North America’s largest independent consumer product manufacturers with 16 North American manufacturing facilities. We also operate globally in Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Australia. We are known for our portfolio of notable brands including Spic and Span® and Comet® cleaning products, Clorox® Pool&Spa™ (under license), BioGuard®, and Natural Chemistry® pool chemicals. We are also the #1 producer in North America of store-brand bleach and a leading private‑label provider of laundry detergent and additives, dishwashing products, general‑purpose cleaning, and other home care products.

Our global team of over 2,300 employees drives our capabilities in product development, product formulation, strategic sourcing, manufacturing, packaging design, brand marketing, project management, quality assurance, compliance, distribution, and logistics.

Our organization is constantly evolving and is driven by a set of “One KIK” values – a dedication to following through on commitments in a customer‑focused, profit‑motivated way; while never compromising on safety, ethics, or integrity.

KIK is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. KIK does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or uniformed services status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.

KIK is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application, or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the job, please contact Human Resources immediately.

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