What does a Reach Truck Operator do?
Ramp supervisors oversee safety procedures, ramp equipment, and company policies. They will be tasked with oversight of airport ramp operations, directing the loading and unloading of aircraft cargo and baggage, assurance of proper ramp functions, and compliance with the airport and the government's regulations. Ramp supervisors will also train and manage other staff members.
Reach truck operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real reach truck operator resumes:
- Receive product in using WMS (warehouse management system )
- Put away and picking of parts using RF scanner.
- Train other employees to operate CNC beam line python.
- Reach truck operator/picking order from WMS system and put away.
- License to use a man-up, forklift, and scissor lift.
- Clean and maintain the warehouse in compliance with OSHA safety standards ..
- Follow all company and OSHA safety regulations and promote safe work habits.
- Provide some training to new employees in forklift operations and RF systems.
- Operate all types of lift trucks, including squeeze, forks, and pole.
- Pick and put away using high reach unload and load trucks with sit down lift.
- Use high-rise picking machine or reach truck to pick cases for orders and do putaway.
- Used CNC beam line and manual equipment to independently manufacture metal parts for power plants.
- Operate sit down, stand up, and cherry picker lifts daily, as well as other heavy equipment.
- Scan and move inventory to designate pallet locations.
- Used radio frequency equipment for picking, receiving, putaway, and load functions, as required.
Reach truck operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Reach Truck Operators are proficient in Pallets, RF Scanner, and Basic Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Communication skills, and Coordination.
We break down the percentage of Reach Truck Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 19%
Scanned and moved inventory to designated pallet locations.
- RF Scanner, 7%
Put away company products and picked orders for shipment using stand-up Reach truck equipped with RF scanner and computer.
- Basic Math, 7%
Apply basic mathematical concepts such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and knowledge of weights and measures.
- SIT, 5%
Pick and put away using high reach unloaded and loaded trucks with sit down lift.
- Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Operate computer system and receive stickers for product allocation.operate electric pallet jacks high reach.
- Warehouse Environment, 4%
Operate Raymound and Crown Reach Trucks in warehouse environment.
Common skills that a reach truck operator uses to do their job include "pallets," "rf scanner," and "basic math." You can find details on the most important reach truck operator responsibilities below.
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling reach truck 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 reach truck operator resume, here's how reach truck operators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "operated forklift and cherry picker to load trucks * customer communication * pull orders * validate inventory and perform daily audits"
Coordination. This is an important skill for reach truck operators to perform their duties. For an example of how reach truck operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a reach truck operator: "warehouse coordination inventory controls feed assembly line".
Mechanical skills. A big part of what reach truck operators do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to reach truck operator responsibilities because "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical reach truck operator tasks: "moved inventory to various locations manually and by operating mechanical equipment, including fork lift, pallet jack, and handcart. "
Visual ability. Another crucial skill for a reach truck operator to carry out their responsibilities is "visual ability." A big part of what reach truck 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 reach truck operator duties can be seen in an example from a reach truck 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 reach truck operators are:
- RRandstad North America, Inc.26 reach truck operators jobs
- OOn Time Staffing24 reach truck operators jobs
- SStaffmark21 reach truck operators jobs
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Compare different reach truck operators
Reach truck operator vs. Forklift
The primary job of a forklift operator is to operate and manage forklifts used for moving, locating, relocating, stacking, and counting merchandise in various settings, such as construction sites and warehouses. As a forklift operator, you will unload shipments properly and safely, and stack and store them in their designated areas. In addition, you will need to report any quality variances and assist in physical inventories. Other duties that you may perform include ensuring that stock rotation is done properly, inspecting and performing preventative maintenance of forklift and other equipment, and ensuring that inventory security and control are maintained.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between reach truck operators and forklift. For instance, reach truck operator responsibilities require skills such as "sit," "safety procedures," "inbound shipments," and "putaway." Whereas a forklift is skilled in "osha," "assembly line," "selector," and "unload trucks." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Forklifts really shine in the transportation industry with an average salary of $34,824. Comparatively, reach truck operators tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $37,961.On average, forklifts reach similar levels of education than reach truck operators. Forklifts are 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Reach truck 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real reach truck operator resumes. While reach truck operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "basic math," "sit," "math," and "warehouse environment," forklift drivers use skills like "safety standards," "drive forklift," "assembly line," and "delivery truck."
Forklift drivers may earn a lower salary than reach truck operators, but forklift drivers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $38,078. On the other hand, reach truck operators receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $37,961.In general, forklift drivers achieve similar levels of education than reach truck operators. They're 0.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Reach truck operator vs. Forklift operator and receiver
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from reach truck operator resumes include skills like "basic math," "sit," "math," and "warehouse environment," whereas a forklift operator and receiver is more likely to list skills in "forklift operation," "unload trailers," "purchase orders," and "quality standards. "
Forklift operators and receiver earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $37,086. Comparatively, reach truck operators have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $37,961.Most forklift operators and receiver achieve a similar degree level compared to reach truck operators. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Reach truck operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
Types of reach truck operator
Updated January 8, 2025
