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Reach Truck Operator Jobs in Canada

Sector: Logistics, Warehouse & Transport · Typical gross pay: CAD 19–28/hour · Typical locations: Quebec (Montreal), Ontario (GTA), Atlantic Canada

CV REQUIRED: candidates without a CV are not considered. Upload your CV: mavial.pl/en/cv.html.
Last updated: December 29, 2025
Page: /reach-truck-operator.html
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Hiring snapshot

What employers typically look for

Gross hourly pay: CAD 19–28/hour is common for warehouse reach-truck roles. Rates vary by province, shift premium, union/non-union, and overtime rules.

Shifts & overtime

  • Day / evening / night shifts depending on site.
  • Overtime may apply during peak periods (seasonal or high-volume).
  • Breaks and shift premiums follow employer policy and local standards.
High racking & narrow aisles Pre-shift equipment checks RF scanner / WMS Damage prevention Safety-first workflow

This is a general vacancy profile for Canada. Actual requirements depend on the employer, site rules, and province.

What you will do day to day

Typical reach-truck workflow in Canadian warehouses

Typical tasks in a distribution centre

  • Operate a reach truck (stand-up) to put away pallets into high racking and retrieve stock safely.
  • Replenish pick locations, stage outbound orders, and support shipping/receiving flow.
  • Perform pre-shift inspections (brakes, forks, mast, alarms, battery/charger) and report issues.
  • Work with RF scanners, pick lists, and WMS steps to confirm locations, lots, and quantities.
  • Maintain clean aisles and follow narrow-aisle right-of-way, speed, and horn rules.

Quality, damage control and documentation

  • Check pallets for stability, wrap integrity, and visible damage before moving loads.
  • Tag and isolate damaged product according to site process (do not re-stock unsafe pallets).
  • Complete basic paperwork or system notes for discrepancies, shortages, or location errors.

Work environment

  • Distribution centres, 3PL warehouses, cold storage, retail DCs, e-commerce fulfilment.
  • Fast-paced periods during peak season; steady cadence during standard volume weeks.
  • Possible lifting, bending, and repetitive movement (role depends on site layout).

Equipment you may use

  • Reach truck / electric pallet equipment
  • RF scanner, labels, packing slips
  • Pallet jacks, stretch wrap, dock plates (site dependent)
  • PPE: safety shoes/boots, hi-vis, gloves (site dependent)

If you have experience in cold storage or high-volume e-commerce, mention it clearly in your CV.

Requirements and certifications

What hiring managers typically expect

Experience that helps you get shortlisted

  • Recent reach-truck experience in narrow aisles and high racking (put-away and retrieval).
  • Comfort working to rate/targets without compromising safety.
  • Basic computer/scanner skills (WMS steps, bin locations, inventory confirmation).
  • Ability to follow site SOPs and adapt to different layouts and labelling systems.

Nice to have

  • Dock experience (loading/unloading, staging, cross-dock operations).
  • Cold storage or temperature-controlled warehouse experience.
  • Order picking, packing, and inventory cycle counts.

Safety & compliance baseline

  • Safety mindset: controlled speed, stable loads, clear sight lines, correct fork height.
  • Comfort with pre-shift inspection and reporting defects immediately.
  • Willingness to wear PPE and follow pedestrian/vehicle separation rules.
  • Basic English communication for instructions, signage, and incident reporting (recommended).
Training/certification: employers often prefer candidates who can demonstrate forklift/reach-truck training. Requirements vary by employer and province.

Work conditions in Canada (what to expect)

Practical details without unrealistic promises

Schedule, probation and deductions (general)

  • Schedules vary by project: fixed shifts or rotating shifts are common in warehouses.
  • Probation periods may apply for new hires; performance and attendance matter.
  • Payroll deductions follow local rules; details depend on employer and province.
  • Overtime rules and premiums depend on province and employer policy.

Accommodation and travel

  • Some projects may support accommodation or travel coordination; others do not.
  • If accommodation is offered, terms are employer-specific and should be confirmed in writing.

PPE, tools and site standards

  • PPE requirements depend on the facility (often safety footwear and hi-vis).
  • Facilities may enforce speed limits, horn zones, pedestrian walkways, and dock rules.
  • Incident reporting and stop-work authority are common safety expectations.

Documents for legal work in Canada (overview)

  • Eligibility to work legally in Canada (e.g., work permit type depends on your situation).
  • Government-issued identity documents as required by employer policy.
  • Background checks may be required for some sites (facility-dependent).
  • Additional documentation may apply depending on province and client requirements.

This page provides general hiring context and is not legal advice. Formal eligibility is determined by Canadian rules and employer policy.

Candidate portrait

Fast self-check before you apply

You are a good fit if you…

  • Have real reach-truck experience in narrow aisles and high racking.
  • Can keep a steady pace while staying safety-focused.
  • Know how to inspect equipment before use and report defects immediately.
  • Can work with RF scanners/bin locations and follow WMS steps.
  • Handle pallets carefully and prevent damage (rack, product, equipment).
  • Show up reliably and can work assigned shifts consistently.
  • Communicate clearly enough to follow instructions and site signage.

This role is not for you if you…

  • Have no warehouse equipment experience and are not ready for a safety-critical role.
  • Struggle with working at height in racking systems or navigating tight aisles.
  • Prefer unstructured work without SOPs, scanning steps, or performance expectations.
  • Cannot commit to shift schedules or have unreliable attendance.

How to apply (CV-first)

Shortlisted candidates are contacted after CV review

  1. Create or upload your CV: mavial.pl/en/cv.html
  2. List reach-truck experience (rack height, warehouse type, WMS/scanner tools, shift history).
  3. Add certificates/training (if you have them) and your preferred provinces/cities.
  4. Submit your application — we contact shortlisted candidates.

Pay ranges are indicative (gross). Actual pay depends on province, shift premiums, overtime, experience, and employer policy.

Related roles in Logistics, Warehouse & Transport

Internal links to similar vacancies

FAQ

Is reach-truck experience required?

In most cases, yes. Many warehouses prefer candidates who can already operate a reach truck safely in narrow aisles and high racking. Some sites may train strong forklift operators, but it depends on the employer.

What affects gross hourly pay?

Province, shift premium (evenings/nights), overtime rules, union/non-union environment, your experience with high racking, and the warehouse type (3PL, retail DC, cold storage).

Do I need a certificate to operate a reach truck?

Employers often prefer proof of training or prior certification, but the exact requirement depends on the employer and site policy. If you have training documents, add them to your CV.

Is a CV required?

Yes. Candidates without a CV are not considered. Use mavial.pl/en/cv.html.

What are typical locations?

Quebec (Montreal), Ontario (GTA), and Atlantic Canada are common hiring areas depending on projects and season.