Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Reach Truck Forklift Operator

🎯 Role Definition

The Reach Truck Forklift Operator is a skilled material handling professional responsible for the efficient and safe movement, storage, and retrieval of goods within a warehouse or distribution center. This role is critical to maintaining inventory accuracy, optimizing storage space, and ensuring the timely flow of products through the supply chain. Specializing in the operation of a reach truck, this individual navigates narrow aisles and high-bay racking systems to perform put-away and picking functions at significant heights, serving as a cornerstone of warehouse operational excellence.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / General Laborer
Order Picker / Packer
Shipping and Receiving Clerk

Advancement To:

Warehouse Team Lead / Shift Supervisor
Inventory Control Specialist or Analyst
Logistics Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Counterbalance or Other Forklift Operator Specialist (e.g., Cherry Picker, Turret Truck)
Shipping & Receiving Lead
Quality Control Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely and proficiently operate a stand-up high-reach forklift to move, locate, relocate, stack, and count merchandise throughout the facility.
Execute put-away procedures by accurately placing incoming inventory into designated high-bay racking locations according to the Warehouse Management System (WMS) directives.
Perform order-picking tasks, retrieving full pallets or individual cases from elevated storage locations with precision and care to fulfill customer or production orders.
Conduct daily pre-operational safety inspections of the reach truck, including checking fluid levels, brakes, controls, and horn, documenting findings on a safety checklist.
Utilize a handheld Radio Frequency (RF) scanner to accurately record all product movements, ensuring real-time inventory visibility and accuracy.
Maneuver the reach truck in narrow aisles and congested areas, demonstrating exceptional spatial awareness and control to prevent collisions with racks, products, or personnel.
Load and unload palletized freight from trailers and containers, ensuring proper weight distribution and securing of goods for transport.
Adhere strictly to all company safety protocols, OSHA standards, and best practices for powered industrial truck operation to maintain a zero-incident work environment.
Handle products and pallets with care to minimize damage, reporting any discovered product damage or discrepancies to a supervisor immediately.
Replenish active pick locations from overstock storage to ensure a consistent availability of products for order fulfillment teams.
Maintain established productivity and accuracy standards for tasks such as picks per hour and put-away cycle times.
Work at significant heights, often exceeding 30 feet, while maintaining focus and adherence to fall protection and safety guidelines.
Participate in regular cycle counts and assist in annual or semi-annual physical inventory audits to help maintain inventory integrity.
Consolidate partial pallets into single, well-stacked pallets to maximize warehouse storage space and efficiency.

Secondary Functions

Assist in general warehouse housekeeping duties, including sweeping, removing debris, and organizing storage locations to ensure a clean and safe operational area.
Perform battery maintenance duties for the reach truck, such as charging, watering, and swapping batteries at designated charging stations.
Provide operational support to other departments, such as shipping, receiving, or order picking, as directed by a supervisor during periods of high demand.
Securely wrap and label pallets as needed to prepare them for long-term storage or shipment, ensuring stability and clear identification.
Report any equipment malfunctions, rack damage, or potential safety hazards to the maintenance department or shift supervisor for prompt resolution.
Communicate effectively with fellow operators, clerks, and leadership to coordinate workflow and resolve any operational challenges.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified Reach Truck Operation: Verifiable certification and extensive experience operating a stand-up reach truck, including single and double-deep racking systems.
Warehouse Management System (WMS) Proficiency: Experience using WMS software to execute and confirm tasks.
RF Scanner Usage: Competency in using handheld RF scanning devices for inventory tracking, order picking, and put-away.
Basic Mechanical Aptitude: Ability to perform routine pre-use inspections and identify common equipment maintenance needs.
Inventory Management Principles: Understanding of concepts like FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and cycle counting.

Soft Skills

Safety Consciousness: A constant and proactive focus on safety for oneself and others; ability to follow all safety policies without exception.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous care in handling products, reading labels, and entering data to ensure accuracy and prevent errors.
Spatial Awareness: Excellent judgment of distances and heights, crucial for navigating tight spaces and high-racking without incident.
Dependability & Reliability: Strong work ethic with a commitment to punctuality and consistent performance.
Independent Work Ethic: The ability to work productively with minimal supervision while meeting performance goals.
Communication Skills: Clear and concise communication with team members and supervisors regarding tasks, safety issues, and progress.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or a certificate in forklift operation or logistics.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics
Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 1-3 years of dedicated experience operating a reach truck forklift in a fast-paced warehouse or distribution center environment.

Preferred:

Experience working in facilities with narrow aisles and rack heights of 30 feet or more.
Prior experience in a high-volume distribution environment for retail, food and beverage, or third-party logistics (3PL).