Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Forklift Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

As a Forklift Assistant, you are the backbone of our warehouse operations. You will be responsible for more than just moving pallets; you'll be a key player in inventory management, order fulfillment, and maintaining a safe and organized work environment. This position requires a keen eye for detail, a commitment to safety protocols, and the ability to work collaboratively within a fast-paced team. You will operate various types of powered industrial trucks (PIT) to move, locate, relocate, stack, and count merchandise, ensuring our products are handled with care and precision.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Warehouse Associate
Picker / Packer
Material Handler

Advancement To:

Lead Forklift Operator
Warehouse Team Lead
Inventory Control Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Quality Control Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate sit-down, stand-up, reach, or other powered forklift equipment to safely and efficiently move products, equipment, and materials throughout the warehouse and storage yard.
Load and unload inbound and outbound trucks, trailers, and shipping containers, ensuring proper weight distribution and securing of cargo.
Transport raw materials from receiving areas to production lines and move finished goods from production to designated storage or shipping areas.
Accurately pull and prepare customer orders for shipment, ensuring the exact quantity and type of product is selected and staged correctly.
Utilize radio frequency (RF) scanning equipment to track inventory movements, manage bin locations, and ensure real-time data accuracy in the Warehouse Management System (WMS).
Perform routine pre-operational and post-operational safety and maintenance checks on all forklift equipment, reporting any malfunctions or necessary repairs immediately to the supervisor.
Stack and store merchandise in the appropriate warehouse locations, following inventory control instructions and ensuring pallets are stable and secure.
Efficiently consolidate partial pallets for relocation and replenish active pick locations from reserve stock to maintain workflow continuity.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment by clearing aisles of debris, organizing pallets, and adhering to all company safety policies and OSHA regulations.
Assist in conducting regular cycle counts and physical inventory audits to verify system accuracy and identify discrepancies.
Securely wrap pallets with shrink wrap, apply necessary labels, and stage them in the correct bay for outbound shipping.
Weigh materials or products and record weight and other production data on tags or labels for tracking purposes.
Work closely and communicate effectively with warehouse clerks, supervisors, and other team members to coordinate activities and resolve operational challenges.
Identify and report any damages to racks, products, or equipment to the appropriate management personnel in a timely manner.
Participate actively in daily team meetings and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, quality, and productivity.
Assist in the training and mentoring of new team members on basic material handling and safety procedures.
Ensure all shipping and receiving documentation, such as bills of lading and packing slips, is correctly completed and processed.
Manage the removal of dunnage and other waste materials from production and warehouse areas to maintain a tidy workspace.
Change out and properly handle forklift batteries or propane tanks according to established safety protocols.
Adhere strictly to all personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, including wearing steel-toed boots, safety vests, and other mandated gear.
Inspect incoming and outgoing shipments for accuracy and quality, reporting any issues or non-conformance to the warehouse lead.
Maneuver forklifts in tight aisles, around machinery, and through doorways with a high degree of precision and spatial awareness to prevent accidents.

Secondary Functions

Assist with general warehouse duties, such as manual lifting, packing, and sorting, during peak times or when forklift tasks are complete.
Contribute to housekeeping initiatives, including sweeping floors, organizing workstations, and participating in facility-wide clean-up events.
Provide support for special projects, such as warehouse reorganization or the setup of new racking systems.
Operate other material handling equipment, like pallet jacks and hand trucks, as needed to support operational flow.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid Forklift Operator Certification (e.g., Sit-Down, Stand-Up Reach, Cherry Picker, Clamp Truck).
Proficiency in operating Radio Frequency (RF) scanning devices and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
Experience with inventory management and cycle counting procedures.
Basic mathematical skills for counting, adding, and subtracting inventory.
Knowledge of OSHA regulations and standard warehouse safety protocols.
Ability to perform basic equipment maintenance checks and troubleshooting.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and accuracy, especially in order picking and inventory tracking.
Excellent spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.
Effective communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with the warehouse team.
Time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
A proactive and safety-first mindset.
Physical stamina and strength to perform manual tasks and stand for extended periods.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or certification in logistics or warehouse operations.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics
Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of direct experience operating a forklift in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.

Preferred: 2+ years of experience with multiple types of powered industrial trucks (PIT) and familiarity with RF scanner technology.