Warehouse Lead

Bloomington, IL • Full-time, first shift

Estimated total comp: $50,000-$60,000/year $19-$20/hour base + overtime during peak season + 15-17% profit sharing bonus (paid in December and August) + full benefits

Why You'll Want This Job

• Profit sharing that actually pays out — adds roughly $3-$4/hour on top of base, twice a year
• Health, dental, disability, 401(k), $150 clothing allowance, and paid team-building days
• Real growth path — we promote from within, and our Management Trainee program builds location managers from the ground up
• Family-owned feel with a worldwide footprint — leadership knows your name, decisions get made fast, and you're treated like a partner, not a number

The Role

Lead the warehouse team at our Bloomington location. You'll own everything stored in the warehouse — seed, packaging supplies, and other materials — and make sure every shipment goes out accurately and on time. This is hands-on leadership: you'll be on a forklift roughly 75% of the day, working alongside the crew, not watching from an office.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Leading the team

• Direct the daily work of warehouse employees — assigning tasks, setting priorities, and keeping the crew moving
• Train new forklift operators using our certification program
• Lead by example on safety, work ethic, and attention to detail

Shipping and receiving

• Build the daily work schedule so shipments are loaded and ready when customers expect them
• Run accurate inventory counts on every load coming in or going out
• Communicate directly with customers when their seed leaves the location
• Post and release "Hold, Do Not Ship" signs on inventory as needed (with QA support)

Inventory and warehouse systems

• Keep row location data accurate in our warehouse management system
• Track materials and supplies so nothing gets lost, miscounted, or shipped wrong

Safety and quality

• Enforce company safety programs every day — and flag risks before they become problems
• Implement our Quality Management System within the warehouse
• Suggest improvements to safety, layout, and process — we want people who think, not just do

Equipment and facility upkeep

• Run the forklift preventative maintenance program so equipment stays in good shape
• Handle basic warehouse upkeep: weatherproofing, monitoring climate control and fire suppression systems, and coordinating with vendors when specialists are needed
• Implement and monitor a pest control program inside the warehouse

Keeping things clean and organized

• Maintain a neat, clean, organized warehouse and work area at all times — audit-ready, every day

What You'll Bring

• Daily forklift experience (not just a certification)
• Ability to lift 30-70 lb bags repeatedly throughout the day
• Comfort getting on and off a forklift many times a day
• Leadership instincts — the person others naturally turn to for direction
• Strong attention to detail with inventory and paperwork
• Reliable attendance and a long-tenured work history
• Basic computer skills (you'll use our inventory system daily)
• Comfort with basic facility upkeep and knowing when to call in a specialist

What the Work Is Really Like

The job runs in seasons. September-March is conditioning and shipping season — high volume, real urgency, overtime hours available. March-September slows down — the focus shifts to organizing, maintenance, and prep for next season. People who like that rhythm tend to stick.

You'll be on your feet most of the day in a dusty environment with seed and pollen exposure. PPE is provided, but strong dust or pollen sensitivities aren't a fit for this role.

Apply now — we're hiring fast.

You should be proficient in:

• Equipment Troubleshooting
• Skid Steer Operation
• Mechanical Troubleshooting Skills
• Shipping/Receiving
• Warehouse Experience
• Material Handler Experience
• Industrial Cleaning Equipment Operation
• Loading and Unloading Vehicles
• Maintenance and Repair Skills
• Forklift Licensed
• Mechanical Assembly Skills
• Packaging Experience
• Meets Physical Requirements
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
• Basic Computer Skills

Machines & technologies you'll use:

• Forklifts