What does a tugger operator do?
Tugger operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real tugger operator resumes:
- Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operate cable equipment.
- Start engines of hoists or winches and used levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
- Pull dollies of materia safely to the line in a timely manner as to not shut down automotive industry line.
- Deliver automotive parts to Toyota lineside
- Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
- Operate a tugger for storage and removal of car parts and supplies to be transport to the Mercedes-Benz plant.
- Operate a tugger to move parts from the loading bay to the staging area where forklift operators unload the parts.
- Remove lint and debris from dryer filters.
- Wash and tumble floor, responsible for cleaning soil linens/uniforms operating washers and dryers.
- Inspect, receive into inventory (using RLI software) and warehouse.
Tugger operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 34% of Tugger Operators are proficient in Tuggers, OSHA, and Warehouse Environment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Communication skills, and Coordination.
We break down the percentage of Tugger Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Tuggers, 34%
Worked at MAP for NEX dropping off parts to the line constantly operating a tugger.
- OSHA, 26%
Maintained accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
- Warehouse Environment, 10%
Sustained zero safety hazards by proactively maintaining clean and organized warehouse environment.
- Honda, 5%
Pick automotive parts for Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
- Assembly Line, 5%
Distribute production materials to designated locations on assembly lines.
- RF Scanner, 4%
Set up and stage material for the lines using order sheets and RF scanner.
Most tugger operators use their skills in "tuggers," "osha," and "warehouse environment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential tugger operator responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Many tugger operator duties rely on communication skills. "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material," so a tugger operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways tugger operator responsibilities rely on communication skills: "maintained necessary level of communications between shifts ensured that all health and safety guidelines were followed. "
Coordination. This is an important skill for tugger operators to perform their duties. For an example of how tugger operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a tugger operator: "warehouse coordination inventory controls feed assembly line".
Mechanical skills. tugger operator responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." This resume example shows what tugger operators do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "moved inventory to various locations manually and by operating mechanical equipment, including fork lift, pallet jack, and handcart. "
Visual ability. A commonly-found skill in tugger operator job descriptions, "visual ability" is essential to what tugger operators do. Tugger operator responsibilities rely on this skill because "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." You can also see how tugger operator duties rely on visual ability in this resume example: "verify through visual check, that correct material is in place to support production schedule. "
The three companies that hire the most tugger operators are:
- Elwood Staffing5 tugger operators jobs
- Goodman Manufacturing2 tugger operators jobs
- Onin Staffing2 tugger operators jobs
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Compare different tugger operators
Tugger operator vs. Forklift driver
A forklift operator is responsible for managing and operating industrial trucks and machines to ensure its performance safety and stability. Forklift operators' duties include safely handling of deliveries, securely moving items to storage areas, monitoring inventories and supplies, running diagnostic tests, reporting inspected malfunctions and deficiencies, performing basic troubleshooting, and adhering to safety procedures. It is a requirement that a forklift operator must have excellent time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task for daily operations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between tugger operators and forklift driver. For instance, tugger operator responsibilities require skills such as "tuggers," "osha," "warehouse environment," and "honda." Whereas a forklift driver is skilled in "pallets," "electric pallet jack," "safety procedures," and "load trucks." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Forklift drivers earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $38,078. On the other hand, tugger operators are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,541.forklift drivers tend to reach similar levels of education than tugger operators. In fact, forklift drivers are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Tugger operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, tugger operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "tuggers," "osha," "warehouse environment," and "honda." Meanwhile, a machine operator/forklift operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety standards," "drive forklift," "load trucks," and "machine operation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Machine operator/forklift operators may earn a lower salary than tugger operators, but machine operator/forklift operators earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,711. On the other hand, tugger operators receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,541.machine operator/forklift operators earn similar levels of education than tugger operators in general. They're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Tugger operator vs. Forklift operator and receiver
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, tugger operators are more likely to have skills like "tuggers," "osha," "warehouse environment," and "honda." But a forklift operator and receiver is more likely to have skills like "pallets," "shipping receiving," "electric pallet jack," and "load trucks."
Forklift operators and receiver make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $37,086. On the other hand, tugger operators are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $36,541.forklift operators and receiver typically earn similar educational levels compared to tugger operators. Specifically, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Tugger operator vs. Material handler/forklift operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between tugger operators and material handler/forklift operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a tugger operator might have more use for skills like "tuggers," "osha," "warehouse environment," and "honda." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of material handler/forklift operators require skills like "pallets," "safety procedures," "electric pallet jack," and "forklift operation. "
In general, material handler/forklift operators earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $37,909. The highest-paying industry for a tugger operator is the automotive industry.material handler/forklift operators reach similar levels of education compared to tugger operators, in general. The difference is that they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of tugger operator
Updated January 8, 2025
