Lead Forklift Operator

Additional Considerations (if any):

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At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.

Job Description:

Job Title: Lead Forklift Operator                                   

Location: Hy-Vee, Lomar Distribution Center

FLSA: Non-Exempt

General Function:

The Lead Forklift Operator is responsible for overseeing forklift operations within their assigned area (A, B, or C) to drive productivity, reduce errors, and support team development. In addition to standard order selection duties, the Lead ensures workflow efficiency by managing bay accessibility, supporting picker requests, organizing inventory, and resolving minor operational issues. This role ensures that proper slotting and stacking procedures are followed, maintains a clean and safe work environment, and provides guidance to other forklift operators.
 

Working Relationships:

Accountable and Reports to: Group Vice President, Lomar Distribution Center; Warehouse Manager, Lomar Distribution Center; Warehouse Supervisor(s), Lomar Distribution Center; Asst. Warehouse Supervisor(s) Lomar Distribution Center Warehouse

Positions that Report to you: None
 

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Oversees bay organization by ensuring high-priority bays are accessible and multi-slot bays are well maintained.
• Responds promptly to picker requests to minimize delays.
• Identifies and resolves minor inventory issues and manages problem or miscellaneous pallets to maintain efficient workflows.
• Upholds proper stacking and slotting practices.
• Proactively addresses potential safety hazards and operational disruptions (e.g., wrap cutting, debris, blocked aisles).
• Provides informal support and guidance to forklift operators to foster team development.
• Accurately and timely selects orders via a voice automated selection system and safely palletizes merchandise for shipment to assigned stores.
• Prepares orders using a pick-to-light selection system, as needed.
• Verifies pallet stability and applies shrink wrap securely.
• Accurately applies pallet ID and stages selected orders in assigned loading areas.
• Performs daily safety inspections of power equipment and ensures all equipment is operated safely.
• Maintains a clean and organized work environment, including removing trash and shrink wrap buildup.
• Attends departmental and company meetings.
• Reports to work when scheduled and on time.
• Adheres to company policies and departmental guidelines.
   

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Breaks down master cases and stages product.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Education/Experience Required to Perform Job:

High School diploma or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must have the ability to meet the language and hearing capabilities for voice automated selection.
• Must have the ability to follow one or two-step instructions; routine, repetitive task.
• Must be able to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division involving whole numbers.
• Upon certification, must safely operate both single and double pallet jacks, forklift, and stock picker.  

Physical Requirements:

• Visual requirements include clarity of vision at a distance of less than 20 inches and up to 20 feet or more with or without correction, depth perception, color vision, and field of vision.
• Must be able to physically perform medium work: exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, 10 pounds of force constantly, and 10 pounds of force continually to move objects.
• Must be able to perform the following physical activities: standing, walking, climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions

Equipment used to Perform Job:

Vocollect, warehouse material handling equipment.
 

Working Conditions:

The duties for this position are normally conducted in a warehouse environment. There is continuous exposure to dirt, noise, temperature extremes, vibrations, equipment movement hazards, dangerous chemicals/solvents, and electrical shock.

Contacts:

Has daily contact with outside carriers, warehouse/office personnel.

A pre-employment physical, drug test, lift test, and bac