Certified Forklift Operator

AppleOne Employment Services; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

AppleOne Employment Services in Tacoma, WA, is seeking an experienced Certified Forklift Operator for a temp-to-hire role. You will load and unload trucks, stage materials, and support inventory control in a fast-paced warehouse environment.

Candidates must have at least 3 years of forklift experience and a current certification, with the ability to work safely and independently while meeting shipping deadlines.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of forklift operating experience.
• Current forklift certification or ability to provide proof of certification.
• Experience loading and unloading trucks in a warehouse or industrial setting.
• Strong attention to detail and safety compliance in all tasks.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate forklifts and material handling equipment to move inventory, materials, and products throughout the warehouse.
• Load and unload incoming and outgoing trucks accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with safety procedures.
• Pull, stage, transport, and prepare materials for shipment, delivery, storage, or customer pickup.
• Verify product information, quantities, shipping documents, and receiving paperwork for accuracy.
• Support inventory control through scanning, documentation, cycle counts, proper labeling, and organized storage practices.
• Complete daily equipment inspections, report safety concerns or equipment issues, and maintain a clean and organized work area.

Skills

Forklift operation

Safety awareness

Attention to detail

Team communication

Physical stamina

Reliability

Independent work

Education

Forklift certification

Tools

RF scanners

WMS software

Pallet jack

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Certified Forklift Operator for a temp-to-hire opportunity in Tacoma, WA. This role is ideal for a reliable warehouse professional with strong forklift skills, a safety-first mindset, and experience supporting shipping, receiving, inventory, and material handling operations.

The Certified Forklift Operator will play a key role in keeping warehouse operations moving efficiently by loading and unloading trucks, staging materials, supporting inventory accuracy, and safely operating material handling equipment. Candidates with certifications and hands-on experience using multiple forklift types are highly encouraged to apply.

This opportunity offers the chance to join a team-oriented manufacturing and warehouse environment where accuracy, safety, communication, and dependable performance are valued. The right candidate will work closely with operations, shipping, receiving, and inventory teams in a fast-paced setting with supportive leadership and a strong focus on long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely operate forklifts and material handling equipment to move inventory, materials, and products throughout the warehouse.
• Load and unload incoming and outgoing trucks accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with safety procedures.
• Pull, stage, transport, and prepare materials for shipment, delivery, storage, or customer pickup.
• Verify product information, quantities, shipping documents, and receiving paperwork for accuracy.
• Support inventory control through scanning, documentation, cycle counts, proper labeling, and organized storage practices.
• Complete daily equipment inspections, report safety concerns or equipment issues, and maintain a clean and organized work area.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay range: $27.00 to $30.00 per hour.
• Job type: Temp-to-hire.
• Location: Tacoma, WA.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Operate forklifts and material handling equipment safely in a warehouse, manufacturing, logistics, or distribution environment.
• Load and unload trucks while verifying product quantities, shipment details, and material accuracy.
• Support shipping, receiving, staging, inventory movement, cycle counts, and warehouse organization.
• Follow OSHA, company, and facility safety requirements while maintaining accurate records and clean work areas.
• Minimum 3 years of forklift operating experience.
• Current forklift certification or ability to provide proof of certification.
• Experience safely loading and unloading trucks in a warehouse or industrial setting.
• Basic knowledge of shipping, receiving, inventory control, and warehouse procedures.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to verify quantities, labels, and product information accurately.
• Stable job history demonstrating reliability, consistency, and commitment.
• Positive professional references from previous supervisors or employers.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly and stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach throughout the shift.
• Ability to safely operate equipment for extended periods in a warehouse or industrial environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications on multiple forklift types.
• Experience operating a sit-down forklift, stand-up forklift, reach truck, cherry picker, order picker, electric pallet jack, clamp truck, or high-reach equipment.
• Reach truck experience.
• Cherry picker or order picker experience.
• Experience using RF scanners and warehouse management systems.
• Shipping and receiving experience.
• Inventory control and cycle counting experience.
• Experience working in fast-paced distribution, logistics, manufacturing, or warehouse operations.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program. https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.