Lead Machine Operator

Lead Machine Operator KIK Consumer Products - 3.1 Salem, VA Job Details Full-time 1 day ago Benefits Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Manufacturing management Machine operation Industrial equipment troubleshooting High school diploma or GED Team development Packaging Training Manufacturing company experience Full Job Description Machine Operator 3 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 Machine Operator Level 3 Lead Operator on First Shift, where you will oversee the filling and packaging operations for your shift. You will lead a team of operators running high‑speed equipment such as fillers, labelers, drop packers, case erectors, palletizers, bottle unscramblers, and case sealers while directing line manning and scheduling to meet production goals. In this working‑lead role, you will monitor line performance, address mechanical and process upsets, and coordinate closely with Maintenance, Warehouse, and Quality to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency targets are achieved. What You'll Do Oversee filling and packaging operations for assigned lines by directing manning, coordinating schedules, and ensuring all equipment is running safely and efficiently. Operate and monitor production equipment (fillers, labelers, drop packers, case erectors, palletizers, bottle unscramblers, case sealers), reacting quickly to jams, quality issues, or other disruptions. Maintain vigilance for any upsets in the filling operation, identify mechanical or process needs, and work with Maintenance to address equipment issues. Train, guide, and motivate operators; provide on‑the‑job coaching on machine operation, basic troubleshooting, quality checks, and safety practices. Maintain accurate time, production, and downtime records; review data with supervisors to drive improvement and meet production plans. Ensure quality standards are met by verifying codes, fills, packaging integrity, and appearance, and by partnering with Quality to resolve non‑conformances. Communicate clearly with downline associates, supervisors, managers, Maintenance, and Warehouse to coordinate material flow, changeovers, and issue resolution. Promote and enforce a "Safety First" culture by following and supporting all safety and GMP programs, immediately addressing or escalating unsafe conditions. What You'll Bring High School Diploma or GED. 5 or more years of experience in a high‑speed, automated filling/packaging environment Previous experience as a Lead/Line Operator with strong process and equipment knowledge preferred Advanced knowledge of production line equipment (fillers, labelers, drop packers, case erectors, palletizers, bottle unscramblers, case sealers) and strong understanding of production processes, quality control, machine operation, troubleshooting, and downtime tracking Proven ability to lead, train, and develop team members while driving productivity and maintaining a quality‑focused, results‑driven mindset Excellent communication and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to stay "one step ahead" in a fast‑paced environment and collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams. Strong commitment to safety and the ability to recognize and correct unsafe conditions Physical Requirements Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 12 hours) and to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 60 lbs as needed Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, and walking while working on and around production equipment Comfortable working in a factory environment with varying temperatures, strong odors/fumes, high noise levels, and wearing all 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. About KIK We create the products and brands that people trust to clean, sanitize, and protect their homes, pools, and cars. 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 im