Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Trolley Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Trolley Technician is a skilled, hands-on professional responsible for the maintenance, repair, and overall fleet management of shopping trolleys (carts) and other customer-use rolling stock. This role is crucial for ensuring a safe, positive, and seamless customer experience while protecting the significant capital investment that trolley fleets represent for a retail business. Operating both on-site and in a mobile capacity, the technician ensures that the fleet is always in optimal, safe, and clean condition, directly impacting store operations, customer safety, and brand perception.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Maintenance Assistant
Automotive Technician Apprentice
Welder's Helper
Warehouse Associate

Advancement To:

Lead Trolley Technician / Senior Field Technician
Field Service Supervisor
Fleet Maintenance Manager
Facilities Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Facilities Maintenance Technician
Equipment Repair Technician
Field Service Technician (other industries)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive diagnostic inspections on shopping trolleys and other retail rolling stock to identify defects, damage, and areas of potential failure.
Perform skilled mechanical repairs, including the replacement of wheels, casters, handles, gate assemblies, and child safety restraints to restore full functionality.
Utilize MIG welding techniques to expertly repair cracked or broken metal frames, baskets, and undercarriages, ensuring structural integrity and longevity.
Execute frame straightening and alignment procedures on bent or warped trolleys using specialized jigs and hydraulic tools.
Implement a proactive preventative maintenance schedule across assigned locations to minimize breakdowns and extend the service life of the trolley fleet.
Disassemble irreparable trolleys for parts harvesting and proper disposal or recycling in accordance with company and environmental guidelines.
Assemble new shopping trolleys and specialized carts upon delivery to client sites, ensuring they meet all manufacturer and safety specifications.
Operate high-pressure washing and steam cleaning equipment to perform deep cleaning and sanitization of entire trolley fleets, maintaining high standards of hygiene.
Manage and maintain a mobile workshop or service vehicle, ensuring it is clean, organized, and fully stocked with necessary tools and parts.
Safely operate a company service truck, often requiring a standard driver's license and a clean driving record, to travel between multiple client locations.
Perform routine maintenance checks on the service vehicle, including fluid levels, tire pressure, and cleanliness, scheduling professional servicing as needed.
Adhere strictly to all company and OSHA safety protocols, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during all repair and maintenance activities.
Systematically troubleshoot and resolve complex mechanical issues on a variety of cart types, including standard, electric, and specialized models.
Maintain an accurate, real-time inventory of spare parts, tools, and supplies within the service vehicle, anticipating future needs and placing reorders.
Generate and submit detailed digital service reports, work orders, and maintenance logs for each site visit, documenting all work performed and parts used.

Secondary Functions

Serve as the primary on-site contact for store management, providing clear communication regarding service schedules, repair status, and overall fleet condition.
Proactively assess and recommend trolley replacements or major overhauls to clients based on fleet age, condition, and usage patterns.
Efficiently plan and manage a daily or weekly service route to maximize productivity and minimize travel time between customer locations.
Provide on-the-spot training or guidance to store personnel on basic trolley care and how to identify units in need of professional service.
Respond to emergency repair requests in a timely and professional manner to resolve urgent issues affecting store operations or customer safety.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Mechanical Repair & Diagnostics: Proficient in diagnosing and repairing mechanical failures on rolling equipment, including wheels, axles, and frames.
MIG Welding: Demonstrated skill in performing MIG welding on thin-gauge steel to repair structural damage on trolley frames and baskets.
Power & Hand Tool Proficiency: Competent and safe operation of a wide range of tools, including grinders, drills, welders, and various hand tools.
Preventative Maintenance Execution: Ability to follow and execute a systematic preventative maintenance program to ensure fleet reliability.
Route & Schedule Management: Experience in planning and managing an efficient daily or weekly service route to meet customer commitments.
Mobile Inventory Control: Skill in managing and tracking an inventory of spare parts and supplies within a mobile service environment.

Soft Skills

Independent Problem-Solving: Strong ability to work autonomously, troubleshoot issues on-site, and make sound decisions with minimal supervision.
Client Communication & Service: Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with store managers, explain technical issues, and maintain positive client relationships.
Time Management & Organization: Superior organizational skills to prioritize tasks, manage service schedules, and complete administrative duties efficiently.
Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to inspections and repairs to ensure high-quality work and adherence to safety standards.
Adaptability: The flexibility to work in various environments (outdoors, in-store, workshops) and adapt to unexpected challenges and repair needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational or Technical School Certificate in Welding or Mechanical Repair.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Welding Technology
Industrial Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of hands-on experience in a mechanical repair, maintenance, or welding role.

Preferred: Prior experience specifically in cart maintenance, fleet repair, or as a mobile field service technician is highly desirable. A valid driver's license with a clean driving record is almost always a firm requirement.