Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a High Lift Operator

🎯 Role Definition

As a High Lift Operator, you are the backbone of our warehouse operations. You will be expertly maneuvering advanced material handling equipment, such as reach trucks, cherry pickers, and order pickers, to manage inventory within our high-bay racking systems. Your primary mission is to ensure products are accurately stored, retrieved, and transported throughout the facility, all while upholding the highest standards of safety and efficiency. This position demands precision, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to teamwork to meet and exceed operational goals and customer expectations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate
General Laborer
Forklift Operator (Counterbalance)

Advancement To:

Warehouse Team Lead
Inventory Control Specialist
Shift Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Quality Control Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely and proficiently operate high lift machinery, including reach trucks, order pickers (cherry pickers), and turret trucks, to perform put-away, retrieval, and replenishment tasks at heights up to 40 feet.
Accurately pick customer orders from high-level racking systems using an RF scanner and order picker equipment, ensuring the correct quantity, lot number, and product type are selected.
Efficiently unload inbound shipments and systematically move pallets of product to their assigned rack or bulk storage locations as directed by the Warehouse Management System (WMS).
Transport products, materials, and supplies to and from designated storage areas, production zones, and loading docks in a timely and careful manner.
Conduct regular cycle counts and participate in full physical inventories to maintain precise inventory records and help investigate and resolve discrepancies.
Perform daily pre-shift and post-shift safety and maintenance inspections on all material handling equipment, promptly reporting any malfunctions, damage, or safety concerns to leadership.
Stack and store merchandise in the appropriate high-bay locations, working to optimize warehouse space, maintain organized aisles, and ensure inventory accessibility.
Utilize the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and handheld RF scanning devices to process transactions, confirm inventory movements, and update stock locations in real-time.
Handle all products with exceptional care to prevent damage to goods, equipment, and facility infrastructure, immediately reporting any incidents.
Meticulously complete all necessary paperwork and system entries, including transfer logs, bills of lading, and inventory adjustment forms, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Monitor inventory levels in active pick locations and replenish stock from overstock or bulk storage areas to ensure order selectors have continuous access to products.
Securely wrap pallets using shrink wrap machines or by hand to ensure load stability for transport and long-term storage.
Assist in loading and unloading trucks, trailers, and containers, ensuring proper weight distribution, load securing, and adherence to shipping protocols.
Adhere strictly to all established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), OSHA safety guidelines, and company policies to ensure operational consistency and a safe work environment.
Inspect inbound and outbound products for defects, damage, or other quality issues, quarantining and reporting any non-conforming materials to a supervisor.
Communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, team leads, and other warehouse associates to coordinate workflow and resolve operational challenges.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area by clearing debris from floors, properly disposing of packaging materials, and organizing supplies.
Take responsibility for the proper charging, watering, and changing of equipment batteries according to established safety protocols to ensure equipment uptime.
Identify and report potential operational hazards or safety issues, actively suggesting improvements to processes, workflows, or facility layout.
Work diligently to meet or exceed key performance indicators (KPIs) for productivity, order accuracy, and safety.
Accurately pick, pack, and label materials before staging them in the correct shipping lanes for outbound loading.

Secondary Functions

Assist in general warehouse duties and housekeeping tasks as needed to support overall team objectives and maintain a pristine facility.
Participate actively in team meetings to discuss safety performance, operational goals, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Provide support and assistance to the shipping and receiving departments during periods of high volume or staff shortages.
Help train new associates on safe equipment operation and standard warehouse procedures under the guidance of a supervisor or designated trainer.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven proficiency in operating high lift equipment, specifically Reach Trucks and Order Pickers (Cherry Pickers).
Valid, current certification for operating forklifts and other powered industrial trucks.
Experience using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) like SAP, Oracle, JDA, or Manhattan.
Competency with RF (Radio Frequency) scanning devices for order picking, inventory tracking, and task confirmation.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Strong basic math skills for counting, sorting, and verifying inventory quantities and reconciling discrepancies.
In-depth knowledge of OSHA safety regulations and best practices for warehouse and forklift operations.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy to minimize errors in picking, put-away, and inventory counts.
Excellent spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination, particularly when maneuvering loads at significant heights.
Strong time management and organizational skills to effectively prioritize tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also functioning as a collaborative and supportive team member.
Clear and effective communication skills for relaying information to colleagues and supervisors.
A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a strong focus on safety and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational or technical certification in logistics, supply chain, or material handling.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics
Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of direct, recent experience operating high lift equipment in a warehouse or distribution setting.

Preferred: 3+ years of experience in a high-volume distribution center or manufacturing environment, with specific, demonstrated expertise on deep-reach trucks or order pickers.