Forklift Operator - Distribution

Empire Candle Co., LLC; Kansas City (KS); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401k Plan with employer match

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Empire Candle CO., LLC, a Kansas City, KS candle manufacturer, is seeking a Forklift Operator to support receiving, storing, picking, and shipping using stand-up forklifts. You will use RF scanners, work within a team, and help maintain inventory accuracy across multiple buildings.

Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00am–3:30pm, with an hourly pay rate of $20.00. Candidates must have stand-up forklift certification and be willing to work overtime when needed.

Qualifications

• Stand-up forklift certification is required.
• Ability to operate RF handheld scanners and barcode devices.
• Ability to pass a basic math test (add/subtract/multiply).
• Knowledge of standard shipping practices and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and high accuracy.
• Flexibility to move between buildings/functions within a shift.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including overtime.

Responsibilities

• Receive, store, pick, and load products safely and accurately.
• Operate forklifts in busy environments with foot traffic and dock activity.
• Use RF scanners to maintain real-time inventory and transactions.
• Complete paperwork neatly with leads and supervisors to reduce discrepancies.
• Manually handle items, sort materials, and palletize freight.
• Stretch-wrap pallets and weigh with pallet scales, recording documentation.
• Perform cycle counts and cross-dock tasks as needed.

Skills

Stand-up forklift operation

RF scanning

Math proficiency

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Overtime availability

Job description

We are a candle company located in Kansas City, KS. Yes, our candles are made here LOCALLY! For 75 years, Empire Candle Co. has surged 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 Forklift Operator supports warehouse operations by receiving, storing, picking, and shipping raw materials and finished goods using stand‑up forklifts and related equipment. The role requires flexibility to move between buildings or functions within a shift based on workload demands. Operators use handheld RF scanners to maintain accurate, real‑time inventory by tracking items, locations, lot numbers, and quantities. This position follows established work processes to ensure inventory accuracy and operates powered industrial trucks safely and efficiently while working around personnel in active warehouse environments.

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

Hourly pay rate: $20.00

Essential Job Functions

• Ensure all products are received, stored, picked, issued to work orders, and loaded onto transfer trailers safely, accurately, and in a timely manner.
• Safely operate forklifts in environments that may include heavy foot traffic, pallet racking, and dock congestion.
• Use handheld RF scanners to complete accurate, real‑time system transactions and maintain inventory accuracy through timely inquiries, stock changes, picking, and material‑issuing activities.
• Complete all paperwork neatly, legibly, and accurately, and work with leads, supervisors, and managers to help identify and eliminate root causes of inventory discrepancies.
• Use manual effort to handle individual pieces into and out of containers, pick orders, sort materials, and palletize incoming freight.
• Stretch‑wrap completed pallets by hand or with automatic/semi‑automatic equipment, and use certified pallet scales to weigh and record pallet information, including required paper documentation.
• Perform key departmental tasks safely and competently, including receiving and put‑away, label room functions, production material handling, warehouse picking, receiving clerk duties, cycle counting, reintegration coordination, sales order picking, and cross‑dock handling.
• Demonstrate flexibility by moving between functions and buildings as workloads vary, often with little notice.
• Work collaboratively within the department and across other teams in a professional, friendly, and enthusiastic manner while providing excellent service to internal and external customers.
• Perform cycle counts on raw materials, finished goods, and work‑in‑process with a high level of accuracy.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements – Education, Skills And Experiences

• Stand‑up forklift certification.
• Ability to operate RF scanning and handheld computer barcode devices.
• Ability to pass a basic math test including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and number recognition.
• Knowledge of standard shipping practices and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Flexibility to move between buildings or functions within a shift based on workload demands.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including overtime, based on operational needs.

Physical Requirements – Physical & Environmental

• The role involves standing, walking, bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching overhead, and lifting or carrying up to 35 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of working on a computer.
• Ability to maintain single-task focus and situational awareness.
• 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.
• Equal Opportunity Employer

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).