As part of the Health & Safety Team, the Senior Distribution Forklift Trainer is responsible for delivering effective, compliant powered industrial truck (PIT) training to ensure operators are competent, confident, and safety focused. This role provides classroom instruction, hands-on practical training, and performance evaluations in accordance with OSHA standards, company policies, and site-specific hazards. Additionally, this role supports operational excellence by reducing incidents, improving operator proficiency, and reinforcing a strong safety culture. The Senior Forklift Trainer works closely with supervision and operations leadership across the U.S Distribution Center locations to assess training needs, address skill gaps, and support new hire onboarding, refresher training, and remedial coaching. While the trainer provides instruction and evaluation, they do not replace supervisory accountability for daily operator performance or enforcement. Ensures training program standardization across sites and leads program continuous improvement efforts. Ensures compliance with local regulations and maximizing organizational risk resilience.
Let’s talk about Responsibilities:
- Become a Subject Matter Expert in assigned area(s) of responsibility
- Develop, maintain, and train to standard work processes for each job in assigned area(s)
- Coordinate new hire training plan for forklift operators with area leaders to ensure all new hires receive timely and accurate training in area of responsibility
- Ensure effective instructional design for forklift training blending OSHA compliance requirements with classroom theory, hands-on practice, and rigorous performance evaluation. Incorporate advanced learning techniques to ensure operators can apply theoretical knowledge to real workplace hazards.
- Ensure all training guides, materials, videos, job aids, and other means of communication for training purposes are readily available and in active use.
- Support and validate compliance with federal, state, and local laws for the distribution center and to maintain, promote and exceed safety standards.
- Maintain a database of all standard work processes training materials
- Train and certify workers to operate powered industrial trucks or vehicles (e.g., cherry pickers, reach forklifts, sit-down stand-up forklifts, and clamp trucks, scissor lifts)
- Maintain site-wide electronic database of forklift job training status and levels for all forklift operators
- Ensure all worker training documents are properly completed, filed and stored
- Complete job specific forklift training and assessments on a frequent and ongoing basis for all new hires and experienced operators
- Conduct employee surveys, interviews, and observations to determine the effectiveness of training provided
- Conduct observations and audits to determine adherence to defined safety protocol in the operation of forklifts or other powered industrial vehicles.
- Review forklift operator performance with operations management and devise a plan to address under-performing associates including additional methods observations, further training, and regular checkpoints to evaluate progress.
- Consult with other trainers, management and leadership regarding forklift operator training needs in the area of responsibility and facility-wide
- Conduct group-wide training on revisions to processes procedures or processes as needed ensuring that all employee referenced documents align to the latest revision
- Communicate forklift operator training needs, plans and schedules to leadership on a frequent and ongoing basis
- Create forklift training strategies, initiatives, and materials as needed
- This position will assist with implementing programs to drive a culture of safety at their location
- Share knowledge and experiences and discuss industry trends and best practices which can be leveraged across all distribution centers.
- Delivers, monitors, coaches and guides technical and non-technical training for Distribution Center Supervision and associates related to powered industrial trucks. Provides feedback, facilitates discussions, and makes recommendations for associate and D/C Supervisor developmental needs related to the operation of powered industrial trucks.
- Stay up to date on the latest trends in new forklift technology.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed as assigned for this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements; additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
Let’s talk about Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- Proficient in both operating and training others in the operation of Powered Industrial Trucks (Raymond and Jungheinrich preferred)
- Minimum 3-5+ years forklift trainer experience preferred
- Forklift Train-the-Trainer Certification required
- Proficient computer skills, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel), and instructional software
- Strict adherence to safety policies and procedures
- Encouraging to team and staff; able to mentor and lead
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience providing training in distribution or manufacturing environments
- OSHA 30 or OSHA 10 certification a plus
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Detail oriented
Desirable:
- WMS and Oracle experience
Job Environment:
Warehouse environment. Incumbent will walk and may occasionally sit, kneel, crouch, and lift up to 40lbs. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high. Must be flexible to work varying schedules, hours, and overtime as needed. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Joining us is more than saying “yes” to making the world a healthier place. It’s discovering a career that’s challenging, supportive and inspiring. Where a culture driven by excellence helps you not only meet your goals, but also create new ones. We focus on creating a diverse and inclusive culture, encouraging individual expression in the workplace and thrive on the innovative ideas this generates. If this sounds like the workplace for you, apply now! We commit to respond to every applicant.