Forklift Trainer

Position: Forklift Trainer

Department: Warehouse / Operations / Safety

Reports To: Site Manager / Operations Manager

Schedule: Based on training needs

Pay: Open to discuss

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Forklift Trainer to provide hands-on training, evaluation, and certification support for temporary warehouse associates operating powered industrial trucks.

The Forklift Trainer will be responsible for ensuring operators understand safe equipment operation, workplace-specific hazards, pre-shift inspections, material-handling procedures, and company safety requirements. This position requires strong forklift operating experience and the ability to effectively train and evaluate employees in a fast-paced warehouse environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct classroom and hands-on forklift training for temporary and new-hire associates.
• Train employees on safe operation of applicable powered industrial trucks, including:
• Sit-down counterbalance forklifts
• Stand-up reach trucks
• Order pickers/cherry pickers, turrets
• Electric pallet jacks
• Other warehouse equipment as required
• Demonstrate proper equipment inspection and operating procedures.
• Evaluate each employee's ability to safely operate assigned equipment.
• Conduct practical driving evaluations.
• Complete and maintain required training and evaluation documentation.
• Review site-specific hazards, pedestrian traffic, loading docks, trailers, racking, ramps, and other operating conditions.
• Reinforce OSHA and company safety requirements.
• Identify unsafe operating practices and provide immediate coaching and corrective instruction.
• Work closely with warehouse management and staffing personnel to ensure only properly trained and authorized associates operate equipment.
• Conduct refresher training or reevaluations when required.
• Maintain a professional and safety-focused training environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years of recent forklift operating experience in a warehouse, manufacturing, or distribution environment.
• Previous experience training or evaluating forklift operators strongly preferred.
• Must have extensive knowledge of powered industrial truck safety practices.
• Ability to demonstrate safe forklift operation and clearly communicate instructions.
• Strong attention to safety and detail.
• Ability to complete training records accurately.
• Strong verbal communication and coaching skills.
• Ability to work with employees with varying levels of forklift experience.
• Must be dependable and comfortable working in an active warehouse environment.

Trainer Requirements

Trainer must have the knowledge, training, and experience necessary to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence , consistent with OSHA requirements under 29 CFR 1910.178(l) .

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to climb on and off powered industrial trucks.
• Ability to work in an active warehouse environment.
• Ability to bend, reach, and perform demonstrations associated with equipment inspections and operation.
• Must be able to wear required PPE.

Key Performance Expectations

The Forklift Trainer is expected to ensure that associates demonstrate safe and competent equipment operation before being released to perform forklift duties independently. Safety and operator competency take priority over training speed or production demands.

Preferred Experience

• OSHA-compliant powered industrial truck training experience
• Train-the-Trainer coursework or certification
• High-volume distribution or manufacturing experience
• Experience training temporary or contingent workers
• Experience with multiple types of material-handling equipment