What does a Cherry Picker Operator do?

Cherry pickers perform a safe and efficient operation of motorized lift vehicles in pulling customer order-based products. The cherry pickers manage different warehouse operating systems and associates to support processing and internal order logistics. They perform preventive maintenance on pallet packs, machines, cherry pickers, and forklifts. It is part of their job to count, verify, and check documents for completeness and accuracy. The skills to develop for this job include warehouse environment, clamp, and pallet jack operations.
Cherry picker operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real cherry picker operator resumes:
- Order selector, replenish, loader
- Pick parts using scan handgunHelp QC pack parts into box
- Order selector fork lift operator shipping and receiving whole sale foods
- Collect and deliver pallets of inventory to other stations.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
- Pick inventory on floor level using a walkie.
- Operate reach trucks, walkie riders, and forklifts in a food cold and dry storage warehouse.
- Experience with setting up LTL, FTL, and FedEx/UPS shipments via phone or computer.
Cherry picker operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 36% of Cherry Picker Operators are proficient in Cherry-Picker, Pallets, and RF Scanner. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Communication skills, and Coordination.
We break down the percentage of Cherry Picker Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cherry-Picker, 36%
Operated cherry-picker to retrieve items from various locations.
- Pallets, 11%
Collected and delivered pallets of inventory to other stations.
- RF Scanner, 10%
Operated cherry lift and pulled all stock orders received all stock and put away in proper locations using RF Scanner system.
- Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
Used forklift, electric pallet jack for daily operations, Cherry Picker, Hi-low's, Reach Truck, Clamp Trucks.
- Cherry Pickers, 6%
Operated cherry pickers, forklifts, motorized pallet jacks and reach trucks.
- Work Ethic, 5%
Influenced the work ethic of other employees and assisted in the training of new hires.
Common skills that a cherry picker operator uses to do their job include "cherry-picker," "pallets," and "rf scanner." You can find details on the most important cherry picker operator responsibilities below.
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling cherry picker operator duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." According to a cherry picker operator resume, here's how cherry picker operators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "assisted machine operator loading lines transport materials to produce communication cable. "
Coordination. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of cherry picker operators is coordination. This skill is critical to many everyday cherry picker operator duties, as "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintained good communication with supervisors, managers, and co-workers for proper safety procedures and coordination of various shipments. "
Mechanical skills. For certain cherry picker operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of a cherry picker operator rely on this skill, as "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what cherry picker operators do: "maintained mechanical components of cnc machines. "
Visual ability. Another crucial skill for a cherry picker operator to carry out their responsibilities is "visual ability." A big part of what cherry picker operators relies on this skill, since "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." How this skill relates to cherry picker operator duties can be seen in an example from a cherry picker operator resume snippet: "maintained a moderate level of visual attention and mental concentration for extended periods of time while properly stacking products on pallets. "
The three companies that hire the most cherry picker operators are:
- Wayfair23 cherry picker operators jobs
- KKimco Staffing Services Inc20 cherry picker operators jobs
- RRandstad North America, Inc.20 cherry picker operators jobs
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Cherry picker operator vs. Forklift driver
A forklift operator is responsible for managing and operating industrial trucks and machines to ensure its performance safety and stability. Forklift operators' duties include safely handling of deliveries, securely moving items to storage areas, monitoring inventories and supplies, running diagnostic tests, reporting inspected malfunctions and deficiencies, performing basic troubleshooting, and adhering to safety procedures. It is a requirement that a forklift operator must have excellent time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task for daily operations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a cherry picker operator are more likely to require skills like "cherry-picker," "cherry pickers," "work ethic," and "warehouse environment." On the other hand, a job as a forklift driver requires skills like "safety standards," "forks," "drive forklift," and "inbound shipments." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Forklift drivers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $38,078. In contrast, cherry picker operators make the biggest average salary, $36,820, in the automotive industry.forklift drivers tend to reach similar levels of education than cherry picker operators. In fact, forklift drivers are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Cherry picker operator vs. Warehouse labour
Warehouse labour workers are responsible for organizing shipment details by processing the correct quantity of orders, ensuring that the items are free from any defects and mislabeling. Warehouse labourers prepare the items for packaging efficiently, update the inventory records, and escalate production discrepancy to the management for immediate resolution. They should also strictly adhere to the production area's safety regulations, especially on loading and unloading items, and moving each package to appropriate shelves using warehouse equipment.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, cherry picker operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cherry-picker," "rf scanner," "work ethic," and "warehouse environment." Meanwhile, a warehouse labour has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "hand trucks," "basic math," and "osha." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, warehouse labours earn a lower salary than cherry picker operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, warehouse labours earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $33,085. Whereas cherry picker operators have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $36,820.warehouse labours earn similar levels of education than cherry picker operators in general. They're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cherry picker operator vs. Dock worker
People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from cherry picker operator resumes include skills like "cherry-picker," "cherry pickers," "warehouse environment," and "clamp," whereas a dock worker is more likely to list skills in "tractor trailer," "ltl," "basic math," and "dock equipment. "
Dock workers earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $35,927. Cherry picker operators earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $36,820.When it comes to education, dock workers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to cherry picker operators. In fact, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Cherry picker operator vs. Material handler/warehouse
A warehouse material handler is responsible for assisting warehouse operations, moving merchandise from one place to another, labeling products, performing quality check procedures, packaging goods, and loading and unloading items from distribution vehicles. Warehouse material handlers operate warehouse tools and equipment for production, as well as ensuring the adequacy of stock inventory needed for orders and deliveries. A warehouse material handler also updates product information on the database and do administrative tasks, such as writing reports and responding to customers' inquiries and concerns.
Types of cherry picker operator
Updated January 8, 2025