Forklift Operator

Job Purpose

• To safely and efficiently operate forklifts and other authorized material handling equipment to receive, load, unload, transfer, store, and dispatch materials and finished goods while maintaining inventory integrity, product quality, operational efficiency, and full compliance with safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Material Handling Operations

• Load and unload raw materials, packaging materials, finished goods, and other inventory from trucks, containers, and production areas.
• Move inventory to designated storage, staging, production, and dispatch locations accurately and safely.
• Perform put-away, replenishment, pallet retrieval, and stock transfers as directed.
• Stack and retrieve pallets from storage racks in accordance with warehouse procedures and load limits.
• Support warehouse associates during receiving, picking, staging, and dispatch activities.

Inventory Control and Traceability

• Verify item identity, quantities, batch numbers, status, and locations before moving stock.
• Ensure all stock movements are accurately recorded through approved documents or systems.
• Report stock discrepancies, location errors, damaged products, and inventory risks immediately.
• Support cycle counts, stock takes, and variance investigations.

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• Conduct pre-use forklift inspections and complete daily checklists.
• Report defects and remove unsafe equipment from service.
• Maintain forklifts in a clean and serviceable condition and follow refueling or charging procedures.

Safety, Quality and Compliance

• Comply with occupational safety, food safety, quality, environmental, and security requirements.
• Follow warehouse traffic rules and maintain pedestrian safety.
• Wear required PPE and report hazards, incidents, and near misses promptly.
• Support housekeeping and 5S standards.

Teamwork and Service

• Coordinate closely with warehouse associates, production, transport, and quality teams.
• Provide clear handovers and escalate operational issues promptly.
• Perform other reasonable duties assigned by the Warehouse Supervisor.

Qualification and Experience

Education / Certification

• Must have a forklift and reach-truck certification from a recognized institution.
• Must have and maintain a valid NTSA Category G (Plant Operator) license.
• Certificate or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or Warehousing is an added advantage.

Experience

• At least 2 years of relevant warehouse, depot, stores, manufacturing, or inventory experience is preferred.
• Ability to read stock documents, perform basic calculations, follow written procedures, and work accurately under time pressure.
• Ability and willingness to work shifts, weekends, or public holidays where operationally required.

Core Competencies

• Safety and quality discipline.
• Attention to detail.
• Teamwork and communication.
• Inventory awareness.
• Dependability and accountability.
• Problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in warehouses, depots, loading or offloading areas, production interfaces, yards, and related storage facilities.
• The role involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, and manual handling. Any lifting or movement of loads must follow approved safe-handling methods, mechanical-aid requirements, and site limits.
• The employee may work around moving vehicles, material-handling equipment, noise, dust, temperature variation, and wet or slippery areas. Required controls and personal protective equipment must be used.
• The role holder must be medically fit for assigned duties and must not perform tasks or operate equipment outside their training, authorization, or competence.

Authority and Escalation

• The role holder is authorized and expected to stop or refuse an unsafe, unauthorized, or non-compliant stock movement and immediately inform the supervisor. Quality concerns, stock discrepancies, system failures, security concerns, and service delays must be escalated through the site's approved channels.