Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Indoor Driver

🎯 Role Definition

The Indoor Driver is a crucial member of our logistics and warehouse team, serving as the primary operator of material handling equipment within our facility. More than just a driver, this individual is the engine that keeps our internal supply chain moving, ensuring that materials and products are transported safely, efficiently, and accurately from receiving to storage, and from production to shipping. This role demands a high level of spatial awareness, a steadfast commitment to safety protocols, and the ability to work with precision in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The Indoor Driver's performance directly contributes to inventory accuracy, operational uptime, and the overall success of our distribution and manufacturing efforts.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate
Order Picker / Packer
General Laborer

Advancement To:

Lead Material Handler / Lead Driver
Warehouse Supervisor
Inventory Control Lead

Lateral Moves:

Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Inventory Control Specialist / Auditor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely and skillfully operate various types of powered industrial trucks (PIT), including sit-down counterbalance forklifts, stand-up reach trucks, and order pickers, to move goods within the warehouse.
Execute the loading and unloading of inbound and outbound trailers, flatbeds, and containers, ensuring proper handling and securing of all products to prevent damage.
Efficiently transport raw materials from storage locations to designated production lines, maintaining a consistent flow to support manufacturing schedules.
Accurately pull, stage, and prepare finished goods for shipment, meticulously verifying products and quantities against customer orders and shipping documents.
Utilize a radio-frequency (RF) scanning system to accurately record all material movements, bin transfers, and inventory adjustments within the Warehouse Management System (WMS).
Conduct thorough pre-shift and post-shift safety and operational inspections on all assigned equipment, documenting and reporting any maintenance or safety issues immediately.
Expertly stack and arrange products on pallets, ensuring stability, proper weight distribution, and adherence to company stacking guidelines for safe storage and transport.
Systematically put away received goods into their designated rack, bin, or bulk storage locations, maximizing space utilization and maintaining inventory organization.
Consolidate partial pallets and reorganize storage areas to improve warehouse efficiency, accessibility, and overall cleanliness.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment by adhering to 5S principles and actively participating in housekeeping duties in assigned areas.
Adhere with unwavering diligence to all company, state, and federal (OSHA) safety regulations, policies, and procedures to foster a culture of safety.
Promptly communicate any product discrepancies, damages, equipment malfunctions, or potential hazards to the warehouse supervisor or lead.
Assist in conducting regular cycle counts and annual physical inventories to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the WMS data.
Ensure the proper rotation of inventory by strictly following First-In, First-Out (FIFO) or other specified stock rotation methods.
Maneuver heavy equipment with precision and care through narrow aisles, around equipment, and near pedestrians to prevent accidents and injuries.
Interpret and act upon information from pick tickets, work orders, shipping manifests, and other operational documents to perform tasks correctly.
Collaborate effectively with other warehouse team members, including pickers, packers, and supervisors, to achieve departmental goals and ensure a smooth workflow.
Operate automated pallet wrapping machines or perform manual shrink-wrapping to secure and protect pallets for shipment or storage.
Responsibly manage equipment power sources, including performing battery changes, watering batteries, or replacing propane tanks according to safety protocols.
Verify case counts, product codes, and pallet information on inbound and outbound shipments to guarantee 100% order accuracy.

Secondary Functions

Assist with general warehouse duties, such as cleaning, sorting, and organizing, during periods of lower equipment-based activity.
Participate actively in daily team huddles and safety briefings to stay informed on operational priorities and contribute to a safer workplace.
Provide support for periodic physical inventory and cycle counting initiatives to help maintain an accurate and reliable inventory system.
Offer constructive feedback to leadership regarding potential process improvements related to material flow, safety, and warehouse organization.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified Forklift Operation: Proven ability to operate sit-down counterbalance, stand-up reach trucks, and turret trucks.
Powered Pallet Jack Operation: Proficiency in maneuvering both rider and walk-behind electric pallet jacks.
RF Scanner Proficiency: Experience using handheld RF devices for inventory tracking, picking, and put-away tasks.
Warehouse Management System (WMS) Experience: Familiarity with navigating and executing transactions in a WMS platform (e.g., SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, Manhattan).
Load Securement: Knowledge of proper techniques for securing and stabilizing loads on pallets and within trailers.
Equipment Inspection: Ability to perform detailed pre-use operational and safety checks on material handling equipment.
Inventory Principles: Understanding of inventory control methods such as FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and LIFO (Last-In, First-Out).
Spatial Awareness: Excellent ability to judge distances and navigate tight spaces without causing damage to product, equipment, or facility infrastructure.
-Documentation Comprehension: Skill in reading and interpreting bills of lading (BOL), packing slips, pick lists, and work orders.
Basic Computer Skills: Ability to interact with computer terminals to look up locations, print labels, or enter basic data.

Soft Skills

Safety Consciousness: A constant and proactive focus on safe operations and adherence to all safety policies.
Attention to Detail: Meticulousness in verifying product numbers, quantities, and locations to ensure high accuracy.
Dependability & Reliability: A strong work ethic with a history of excellent attendance and punctuality.
Time Management: The ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines.
Teamwork & Collaboration: A cooperative spirit and willingness to assist colleagues to achieve shared goals.
Clear Communication: The ability to effectively communicate with supervisors and team members regarding work status, issues, or hazards.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to identify issues, such as a blocked pick-face or a damaged pallet, and find a safe and effective solution.
Adaptability: Flexibility to switch between different types of equipment or tasks as operational needs change throughout the day.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
Valid forklift certification/license.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or specialized certification in logistics or material handling.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics
Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of direct experience operating powered industrial trucks in a warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

Experience within a high-volume distribution center or fast-paced manufacturing setting is highly desirable.
Prior experience working with a formal Warehouse Management System (WMS) and RF scanners is strongly preferred.