Forklift Trainer

Job Title:    Forklift & PIT Safety Trainer    Department:    EHS

FLSA:    To Be Determined    Status:    Full Time

Reports to:    EHS Manager        

Customary Days:    Varies based on training needs; flexibility across shifts required

Customary Hours:    Full-time; hours may vary based on training schedule

Position Summary

The Forklift & Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) Safety Trainer is responsible for developing competent, safety-focused forklift operators through formal instruction, hands-on training, workplace evaluation, and ongoing coaching. This role owns operator training, evaluation, and certification for powered industrial trucks used at the facility and supports consistent training standards across company sites.

This is a hands-on, floor-level role requiring regular presence in production, warehouse, loading, and storage areas. The Trainer must understand the Forklift Operator role and train employees to perform its material movement, inventory, shipping, equipment inspection, and safety responsibilities accurately and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities

•    Deliver initial powered industrial truck operator training in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.178(l), including formal instruction, practical hands-on training, and evaluation of operator performance in the workplace

•    Train and evaluate employees on the specific powered industrial truck types they will be authorized to operate, including sit-down counterbalance and stand-up rider trucks and other equipment used at the applicable site

•    Train Forklift Operator candidates on safe and efficient material handling duties, including loading and unloading trailers, transporting materials to designated storage or production areas, and staging finished products for        shipment and distribution

•    Train operators on proper load handling, stacking, storage, labeling, wrapping, packing, and securing practices to prevent product damage, loss, unstable loads, and unsafe storage conditions

•    Train operators to use company tracking systems and required documentation to accurately record and verify material movements, product counts, locations, and shipment information

•    Train operators to support production flow by delivering materials timely, coordinating with production and shipping teams, and communicating delays, discrepancies, damaged goods, inventory issues, or safety concerns        promptly

•    Train and verify proper completion of pre-shift equipment inspections, including identification and immediate reporting of equipment defects or unsafe conditions

•    Provide instruction on truck controls, capacity, stability, load handling, attachments, fueling/charging, parking, pedestrian interaction, ramps, aisles, racking, docks, trailers, and other site-specific operating hazards

•    Evaluate each operator through direct observation in the actual work environment and authorize certification only after the operator demonstrates safe, competent performance

•    Conduct operator performance evaluations at least once every three years and maintain documentation of required evaluations

•    Provide refresher and corrective training when an operator is observed operating unsafely, is involved in an accident or near-miss, receives an evaluation indicating unsafe performance, is assigned a different type of              truck, or workplace conditions change in a way that affects safe operation

•    Perform routine floor observations of forklift operation, including speed, horn use, pedestrian awareness, load handling, equipment condition, aisle and storage practices, and compliance with company safety                          procedures; provide immediate coaching and escalate repeated concerns as appropriate

•    Partner with Supervisors and EHS on powered industrial truck incident and near-miss investigations and incorporate relevant findings into training and coaching

•    Work with EHS to develop, standardize, and maintain training curriculum, checklists, evaluation forms, scoring criteria, and operating expectations across applicable sites

•    Support the development and qualification of in-house trainers/evaluators by mentoring, assessing, and re-assessing individuals who train or evaluate powered industrial truck operators

•    Maintain complete, audit-ready training and certification records, including operator name, training date, evaluation date, trainer/evaluator identity, and equipment covered

•    Track operator evaluation due dates and coordinate required re-evaluations and refresher training

•    Deliver assigned EHS training, toolbox talks, regulatory refreshers, and new-hire safety onboarding as directed by the EHS Manager

•    Adapt training delivery to employee experience, literacy, language needs, and shift schedules while maintaining consistent training standards

•    Maintain a clean, organized, and safe training environment and follow all company safety procedures, OSHA requirements, and company policies

•    Complete required paperwork, system entries, training reports, and other documentation accurately and on time

•    Communicate training progress, qualification concerns, recurring unsafe behaviors, and program needs to the EHS Manager and appropriate operational leadership

Job Requirements

•    Must have the knowledge, training, and experience necessary to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence

•    Ability to safely operate and demonstrate the powered industrial truck types included in assigned training responsibilities

•    Ability to work on the production/warehouse floor and provide direct, respectful corrective coaching in real time

•    Ability to work across first, second, and third shifts and adjust schedule based on training needs

•    Ability to work overtime, weekends, and extended hours as needed

•    Ability to maintain required trainer/operator qualifications and complete company-required safety training

Education and Experience:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

•    High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required

•    Five or more years of hands-on powered industrial truck operating experience across multiple truck types preferred

•    Two or more years of experience training, evaluating, or formally coaching adults in a manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, or similar industrial environment preferred

•    Working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 powered industrial truck requirements required

•    Completion of a recognized forklift train-the-trainer program preferred

•    OSHA 30-Hour General Industry training preferred

•    Experience with learning management systems, spreadsheets, email, or other training/recordkeeping systems preferred

Essential Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to execute each essential duty with consistency, accuracy, and urgency. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•    Demonstrated ability to operate powered industrial trucks safely in a fast-paced manufacturing or distribution environment

•    Ability to teach both classroom concepts and hands-on operating skills clearly and consistently

•    Ability to objectively evaluate operator performance and withhold qualification when required safety or job-performance standards are not met

•    Strong knowledge of forklift safety principles, material handling practices, workplace hazards, and operator responsibilities

•    Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate training and certification records

•    Ability to recognize unsafe behaviors and provide immediate, effective corrective coaching

•    Ability to work independently and partner effectively with EHS, Production, Shipping, Supervisors, and site leadership

•    Strong time management, scheduling, organization, and prioritization skills

•    Dependability and reliability, including consistent attendance and punctuality

•    Basic computer skills for training systems, tracking, reporting, and documentation

•    Ability and willingness to learn, adapt training content, and maintain current knowledge of equipment and workplace changes

Language Skills

•    Ability to read, write, and speak English required

•    Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions

•    Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods

•    Frequent use of hands and arms to operate equipment and demonstrate material handling tasks

•    Ability to mount and dismount powered industrial trucks repeatedly during training and evaluation activities

•    Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 75 pounds

•    Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb as needed

•    Visual ability to safely operate and evaluate equipment operation, including depth perception, peripheral vision, and focus

•    Ability to work overtime and extended hours as required

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

•    Manufacturing, warehouse, and/or distribution environment with exposure to moving equipment and powered industrial trucks

•    Moderate to high noise levels; hearing protection may be required

•    Exposure to dust, airborne particles, and varying environmental conditions

•    Work conditions may include heat, cold, humidity, and temperature fluctuations

•    Fast-paced environment requiring constant awareness and movement

•    Required use of applicable personal protective equipment

•    May require weekends, overtime, off-shift training, and rotating or variable schedules