How to hire a hi lift operator

How to hire a hi lift operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step hi lift operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a hi lift operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new hi lift operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a hi lift operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A hi lift operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, hi lift operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of hi lift operators.

   Type of Hi Lift Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Hi Lift Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$13-20
   Warehouse Machine Operator	Warehouse machine operators perform various tasks for their employers. These include setting up, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting machinery, inspecting parts for specifications and any potential damage, and reading and interpreting diagrams and blueprints to position and secure the machines... Show more	$12-19
   Mechanical Spreader Operator	A mechanical spreader operators manage and operate all equipment in various industries where they perform their jobs. The operators work as general mechanics in building HVAC, general building maintenance, and pump station operations... Show more	$14-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Operate Hi-Lo
   • SIT
   • Safety Regulations
   • Select Cases
   • Warehouse Management System
   • Load Trucks
   • Fifo
   • Customer Orders
   • Assembly Line
   • Hi-Low
   • Product Load
   • Customer Service
   • Semi Trailers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate hi-low to transport products from building to dock areas.
   • Load or unload materials onto or off pallets, skids, or lifting devices.
   • Drop reserved pallets into empty selection pallets.
   • Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
   • Move inventory in support of logistics management.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your hi lift operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A hi lift operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, hi lift operators' average salary in north carolina is 33% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level hi lift operators 33% less than senior-level hi lift operators.
   • Certifications. A hi lift operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a hi lift operator's salary.

   Average hi lift operator salary

   $35,931yearly

   $17.27 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level hi lift operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a hi lift operator job description

   A hi lift operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a hi lift operator job description:

   Hi lift operator job description example

   Join our team and immediately become part of the largest distributor of conventional, natural, organic and specialty products in the United States and Canada. We serve over 43,000 customer locations with 200,000 different products. Our Warehouse associates supply thousands of consumers with better for you food that nourishes families nationwide. Our retailers range from small family owned stores to Wholefoods Markets and everything in between. Are you ready to make an impact on the lives of others and feel good about what you do? Join our growing Distribution team today.
   $20.00/hr. 11pm - Sun-Thursday. Weekly pay. Competitive Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K & Vacation Growth and professional development opportunities. Recognition for great work, company events and picnics, and much more. Full-time employment opportunity.
   Job Overview:
   
   Responsible for taking palletized product and placing it in the correct storage slots. Also responsible for taking pallets of product from storage slot and placing them into correct slot for selection for delivery to retail customers. In addition, lift operators make the appropriate changes in the inventory system through entries into the Telxon unit.
   
   Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
   Take pallets of product that have been received into inventory and place them into storage in the correct slot. Record the placement of each pallet into the inventory system. Retrieve pallets of product from storage and place into correct slot for order selectors to receive. Transports product throughout the warehouse via pallet jack of forklift. Works in a fast paced environment with varying temperatures. Assists other departments with work activities when required.
   Job Requirements:
   Must be 18 years or older. 6+ months experience with stand-up high reach is required. Previous warehouse experience such as shipping or receiving, or experience in a physically demanding position is preferred. Must be willing to consent to background check, drug screen, and physical capacities test. Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds, frequent bending, stooping and lifting. Must have the ability to work in various temperatures from -20 to 80 degrees. Must be able to work the required schedule and/or overtime, which could involve nights, holidays or weekends.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
   
   Additional Information
   Schedule: Full-time

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right hi lift operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with hi lift operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit hi lift operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your hi lift operator job on Zippia to find and recruit hi lift operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with hi lift operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new hi lift operator

   Once you've found the hi lift operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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