Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Electric Pallet Jack Operator

🎯 Role Definition

The Electric Pallet Jack Operator is a hands‑on warehouse professional responsible for safe and efficient use of electric pallet jacks (electric pallet trucks / walkie jacks) to move, stage, and prepare palletized goods for shipping, receiving, and production. This role requires adherence to safety standards (OSHA/PPE), accurate use of warehouse management systems (WMS) and RF scanners, attention to inventory integrity, and strong teamwork to meet daily throughput and on‑time shipping targets. Ideal candidates demonstrate reliable attendance, basic mechanical aptitude for daily equipment inspections, and the ability to work in fast‑paced distribution or manufacturing environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / General Laborer
Material Handler / Order Picker
Shipping & Receiving Clerk

Advancement To:

Lead Material Handler / Team Lead
Forklift Operator / Certified Lift Truck Operator
Warehouse Supervisor / Shift Supervisor
Inventory Control Specialist / Shipping Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Order Picker / Packer
Quality Control Inspector
Cross‑dock Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely operate electric pallet jacks (walkie/rider electric pallet trucks) to transport pallets and materials throughout the warehouse, staging areas, production lines, and loading docks while following company procedures and OSHA regulations.
Pick, stage, and deliver palletized orders to shipping lanes using RF scanners and WMS, verifying SKU, pallet count, lot numbers, and shipping labels to ensure order accuracy before checkout.
Load and unload trailers efficiently using electric pallet jacks and hand tools, following pallet loading plans and load‑securement protocols to prevent damage during transit.
Receive incoming shipments by locating correct PO numbers, inspecting pallets and cartons for damage, and completing receiving paperwork or system receipts in the WMS.
Complete cycle counts and assist with physical inventory processes by locating and scanning pallet locations, reconciling discrepancies, and reporting variances to inventory control.
Stage materials for production and assembly lines per bill of materials (BOM) and production schedules, ensuring continuous flow and minimizing downtime for downstream teams.
Wrap, band, and secure pallet loads using stretch wrap and strapping equipment to meet carrier and company packaging standards and reduce freight damage.
Perform pre‑shift and post‑shift equipment inspections of electric pallet jacks (tires, forks, controls, steering, battery charge levels) and report defects or safety issues to maintenance or supervision immediately.
Charge, change, and maintain batteries or battery packs following company lockout/tagout and battery‑charging area safety procedures.
Accurately complete documentation for all material moves, damage reports, and shipping/receiving records in both paper forms and electronic WMS entries to preserve audit trails.
Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) for hazardous materials, cold storage, or specialty product handling when applicable, using required PPE and containment methods.
Maintain clean, organized, and obstruction‑free aisles, staging areas, and dock spaces to support safe operations and high throughput.
Assist in staging and prioritization of expedited or time‑sensitive orders, communicating with supervisors and shipping coordinators to meet customer cutoff times.
Identify and report product damage, shortages, or mislabeling to the team lead and help quarantine nonconforming goods per quality procedures.
Collaborate with forklift operators and pick teams to coordinate pallet moves and prevent bottlenecks during peak inbound/outbound cycles.
Meet or exceed productivity KPIs such as pallets moved per hour, orders picked, accuracy rates, and on‑time shipments while maintaining safety and quality standards.
Use handheld RF scanners and mobile devices to confirm picks, record putaways, and update inventory locations in real time.
Support cross‑docking operations by receiving inbound freight and immediately staging pallets for outbound carriers as required by the logistic plan.
Participate in daily safety briefings, shift meetings, and continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen) to improve flow, reduce waste, and enhance workplace safety.
Train and mentor new associates on safe operation of electric pallet jacks, material handling techniques, and company policies to promote consistency and reduce incidents.
Execute special handling procedures for fragile, high‑value, or hazardous items—ensuring appropriate documentation and segregation during transport and storage.
Assist in load planning by arranging pallets to meet carrier weight distribution, pallet pattern guidelines, and pallet footprint optimization.
Respond to urgent operational needs such as short staffing or peak season surges by adapting priorities and supporting other warehouse functions as directed.

Secondary Functions

Support scheduled and unscheduled physical inventory counts and inventory reconciliation projects with accurate scanning and documentation.
Help maintain equipment logs, battery charging schedules, and coordinate minor repairs with maintenance to maximize uptime for electric pallet jacks.
Participate in continuous improvement projects to streamline pick paths, reduce travel time, and improve staging efficiency.
Temporarily fill in for related roles (order picker, packer, dock associate) as business needs require, following cross‑training guidelines.
Report safety incidents, near misses, and improvement ideas to supervisors and safety teams; help implement corrective actions.
Assist with basic material quality inspections, labeling corrections, and product reworks when required by production or quality teams.
Communicate effectively with shipping carriers and dock personnel to confirm load windows, special requirements, and paperwork before departure.
Support the onboarding process by demonstrating best practices and safe work habits to seasonal hires or temporary associates.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified or experienced in safe operation of electric pallet jacks / electric pallet trucks (walkie/rider).
Proficient with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and handheld RF scanners for picking, putaway, and cycle counting.
Strong knowledge of shipping & receiving workflows including trailer loading/unloading, staging, and dock procedures.
Experience with pallet wrapping, strapping, banding, and basic load securement techniques.
Ability to perform routine equipment inspections and report mechanical issues; basic battery charging/maintenance knowledge.
Familiarity with OSHA safety standards, PPE use, and lockout/tagout procedures relevant to battery charging areas.
Basic math skills for counting, pallet weight checks, and verifying quantities on manifests and packing lists.
Ability to read and interpret pick tickets, packing lists, shipping instructions, and simple diagrams or pallet patterns.
Experience working in cold storage, hazardous materials handling, or other specialized warehouse environments (if applicable).
Strong documentation skills: accurate data entry, completion of damage/incident reports, and adherence to traceability requirements.
Comfortable lifting and moving material within company safety limits; knowledge of safe lifting techniques and ergonomics.
Ability to operate additional material handling equipment as cross‑trained (hand truck, pallet jack, dock leveler).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and focus on accuracy when picking, staging, and recording inventory movements.
Excellent situational awareness and commitment to workplace safety for self and co‑workers.
Good communication skills to coordinate with team members, supervisors, and carriers in a busy environment.
Dependability and strong attendance to support scheduled shift coverage and production demands.
Problem solving and adaptability to reprioritize tasks during high‑volume periods or unexpected disruptions.
Team player mentality with willingness to cross‑train and help other areas when needed.
Time management and ability to meet productivity targets while maintaining safety and accuracy.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED preferred.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate in material handling or logistics, or completion of employer‑provided equipment safety training.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics, Supply Chain, Warehouse Operations
Industrial Technology, Safety Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years operating electric pallet jacks or other powered pallet equipment in a warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

1–2 years of hands‑on experience with electric pallet trucks and WMS systems; prior experience in shipping & receiving or order fulfillment preferred.
Certifications or documented training in powered industrial equipment operation, battery charging safety, or OSHA‑related safety training a plus.