Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hilo Driver

🎯 Role Definition

The Hilo Driver (also called Hi‑Lo Driver or Forklift Operator) is responsible for safe, efficient movement of materials inside a distribution center, warehouse or production floor using powered industrial trucks (forklifts / hi‑lo). This role emphasizes strict adherence to safety procedures, accurate order fulfillment, careful load handling, basic equipment maintenance, and close coordination with receiving, shipping and inventory teams to support on‑time operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Material Handler transitioning to powered equipment operation.
Shipping & Receiving Clerk with on‑the‑job forklift training.
Manufacturing/Production Operator seeking material movement duties.

Advancement To:

Lead Hi‑Lo / Lead Forklift Operator
Warehouse Shift Supervisor / Team Lead
Inventory Control Specialist or Logistics Coordinator
Safety Trainer / Forklift Instructor
Operations Supervisor or Distribution Manager

Lateral Moves:

Shipping & Receiving Specialist
Route Delivery Driver (CDL or non‑CDL)
Order Picker / Packer
Maintenance Technician (with additional mechanical training)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate sit‑down, stand‑up and counterbalance forklifts (Hi‑Lo) to safely lift, move, stack and place pallets and material to proper locations, following load capacity limits and stabilization procedures.
Load and unload trailers, containers and rail cars using powered industrial trucks, ensuring secure placement of goods and proper weight distribution to protect cargo and equipment.
Perform cycle counts and support daily inventory reconciliation by scanning, labeling and physically verifying SKU locations using RF scanners or warehouse management systems (WMS).
Inspect forklifts and attachments before each shift — checking fluid levels, brakes, tires, forks, lights and safety features — and report mechanical issues or safety hazards immediately to maintenance or supervision.
Securely strap, wrap or band loads and use dunnage and blocking as needed to prevent shifting during transport and storage while following cargo securement standards.
Stage goods for order picking and shipping by accurately following pick lists and staging instructions to meet packing and dispatch windows, minimizing shipping errors.
Coordinate with receiving teams to verify incoming shipments against bills of lading, purchase orders and packing lists, and move inbound pallets to quarantine, inspection or storage locations.
Operate pallet jacks, reach trucks and order pickers as required to fulfill mixed equipment duties and increase throughput during peak periods.
Maintain clean, organized aisles, rack faces and staging areas by promptly removing debris and performing housekeeping tasks to meet 5S and safety program standards.
Adhere to OSHA, company safety policies and site traffic rules including speed limits, pedestrian right‑of‑way, horn use and exclusion zone enforcement while operating equipment.
Complete and maintain accurate paperwork and electronic logs such as pre‑shift inspection checklists, load/transfer tickets and damage reports to ensure traceability of material movement.
Assist with pallet building, product labeling, shrink wrapping and light packing tasks to support packing station throughput and meet outbound SLAs.
Participate in morning safety briefings, toolbox talks and shift handovers to review site priorities, known issues and special handling instructions.
Support cycle count reconciliation and root cause analysis for inventory discrepancies by providing detailed movement history and equipment handling notes to inventory control teams.
Train and mentor new forklift operators on standard operating procedures, safe operating techniques and site‑specific routing, acting as a peer coach under supervision when qualified.
Move heavy machinery, drums, skids and other non‑standard loads using appropriate attachments and rigging procedures after obtaining supervisor approval and following lockout/tagout where applicable.
Respond to urgent operational needs (rush orders, returns handling, rework staging) by reprioritizing tasks and coordinating with supervisors to minimize disruption to the flow.
Follow temperature‑controlled handling protocols for refrigerated and frozen product — including use of cold‑rated equipment and PPE — to maintain product integrity.
Report and document any product damage, near misses or safety incidents immediately according to incident reporting procedures and cooperate in subsequent investigations.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting layout changes, lift techniques or equipment adjustments that increase efficiency and reduce risk in material handling workflows.
Operate site vehicles (golf carts, tug units) for internal transport of personnel or paperwork respectfully and in line with site vehicle policies when authorized.
Assist maintenance crews during scheduled shutdowns or re‑racking projects by safely positioning materials and moving components under direct supervision.

Secondary Functions

Help maintain inventory accuracy by assisting the inventory control team during scheduled full inventory events and audits with physical counts and reconciliation.
Support ad‑hoc tasks such as product quarantining, sample pulls for quality assurance, and staging returns for inspection or disposition.
Participate in cross‑training for other warehouse roles (packing, shipping labeling, receiving clerks) to increase scheduling flexibility and coverage during peak seasons.
Contribute to safety program development by giving operator perspective on traffic patterns, rack protection needs and near‑miss prevention.
Assist with light preventative maintenance such as battery charging, tire replacement preparation and cleaning of attachments following manufacturer guidelines.
Provide constructive feedback on equipment performance, tooling needs and workflow bottlenecks to supervisors and continuous improvement teams.
Collaborate with logistics planners to sequence loads and trailers for optimized dock usage and reduced trailer dwell times.
Support ERP/WMS data hygiene by promptly updating locations, quantities and condition notes for goods moved during shifts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified forklift operator (powered industrial truck certification) with documented training and up‑to‑date evaluation records.
Proven ability to operate sit‑down, stand‑up, counterbalance and reach trucks and to adapt between different hi‑lo types safely.
Experience using RF scanners, barcode readers and common warehouse management systems (WMS) such as Oracle WMS, Manhattan, SAP EWM or NetSuite.
Strong load planning and pallet stacking skills, including knowledge of pallet patterns, weight distribution and maximum load capacities.
Basic preventive maintenance knowledge: conducting pre‑shift inspections, topping fluid levels, checking forks and identifying abnormal noises or leaks.
Knowledge of OSHA and local workplace safety regulations for powered industrial trucks, material handling and warehouse traffic control.
Familiarity with basic rigging and load securement techniques, including the use of straps, bands, shrink wrap and edge protectors.
Ability to perform accurate cycle counts and adjust inventory records using standard software tools and count sheets.
Competence in completing shipping/receiving documentation, damage reports and safety incident forms with attention to completion and accuracy.
Experience handling temperature‑sensitive product and following cold chain handling protocols where applicable.
Basic mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting simple issues and coordinating repairs with maintenance teams.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with consistent adherence to rules, reporting procedures and hazard recognition.
Excellent spatial awareness, hand‑eye coordination and depth perception for precise load handling and rack placement.
High attention to detail to ensure accurate order staging, labeling and inventory recording.
Reliable time management and punctuality to meet shift schedules and production targets.
Clear verbal communication and ability to collaborate with warehouse teams, supervisors and logistics planners.
Problem solving and adaptability when faced with last‑minute changes to loads, sequencing or equipment availability.
Physical stamina and ability to perform repetitive lifting, walking, bending and climbing for extended shifts.
Professional attitude, accountability and willingness to accept feedback and corrective coaching.
Team‑oriented mindset with a focus on supporting co‑workers during peak periods.
Customer service orientation when interacting with drivers, vendors and internal stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED preferred; equivalent work experience in warehouse/forklift operation accepted.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or certificate in material handling, logistics, or industrial safety.
Additional coursework in forklift safety, OSHA compliance, or warehouse management systems.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain
Warehouse Operations / Industrial Technology
Occupational Safety and Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5+ years operating powered industrial trucks (entry‑level candidates may be accepted with certification and on‑the‑job training; many roles prefer 1–3 years).

Preferred:

1–3 years of experience as a Hi‑Lo / forklift operator in distribution center, manufacturing or retail distribution environment.
Prior exposure to WMS systems, RF scanning and multi‑product handling (bulk, case, pallet levels).
Demonstrated track record of safe operation, low incident history and positive attendance.