Reach truck / high-bay logistics role

Reach Truck Operator (Schubmaststaplerfahrer)

Operate a reach truck in high-bay warehouse zones, follow scanning discipline, and keep racking work safe and precise. This page describes typical expectations for English-speaking candidates on Germany-based projects.

Pay floor: from €13.90 gross/hour (Germany statutory minimum from 01 Jan 2026) Locations: Berlin / Hamburg / Munich / NRW (project-based) Language: English onboarding; basic German is a plus Discipline: safety, scanning, accuracy
CV is mandatory. We do not review candidates without a CV. Use the CV builder: https://mavial.pl/en/cv.html
Important: Work permit / legalization information (Poland)
Core tasks
Put-away, replenishment, stock moves, safe racking work
Tools
Reach truck, RF scanner, WMS rules, site SOPs
Entry filter
High-bay experience and strong safety discipline
Pay compliance
All rates are gross (brutto); legal minimum applies from 01 Jan 2026
What you will do

Responsibilities (reach truck / high-bay)

  • Perform high-bay put-away and replenishment with stable forks and controlled mast movements.
  • Follow RF scanning rules (bin, batch, SKU) and keep inventory movements traceable.
  • Handle pallets safely: stacking discipline, load stability checks, and damage reporting.
  • Support inbound/outbound flow: staging, relocation, and priority moves during peak waves.
  • Complete daily equipment checks and stop work if a safety condition is not met.
  1. Start-of-shift: equipment check, route/safety briefing, scanner login.
  2. Put-away: scan → confirm location → controlled lift → stable placement.
  3. Replenishment: move stock to pick faces; keep FIFO rules where required.
  4. Quality discipline: identify damage, isolate questionable pallets, report fast.
  5. End-of-shift: park/charge per site rules and close tasks in the system.
Role fit

Short candidate portrait

You are calm at height, systematic with scanning, and you do not “rush the mast”. You prefer clean processes over improvisation, and you treat safety rules as non-negotiable.

Pay and shifts

Gross pay baseline (Germany 2026)

The statutory minimum wage in Germany is €13.90 gross/hour from 01 Jan 2026. Offers for reach-truck/high-bay roles may be higher depending on site, shift pattern, and proven experience.

  • All figures are gross (brutto).
  • Shift work is common in logistics (day/late/night patterns vary by project).
  • Overtime, premiums, and breaks follow site rules and applicable regulations.
  • Timesheets and scanning logs are part of normal performance and compliance checks.

This is general operational information. Final terms depend on the specific project and your verified profile.

Requirements

What we require (detailed)

  • CV in English (PDF preferred) — required for review.
  • Proven reach-truck practice in warehouse operations (high-bay is a major advantage).
  • Confidence with RF scanners and disciplined barcode workflow (no “blind moves”).
  • Safety mindset: controlled turns, stable lifting, correct pallet handling, PPE compliance.
  • Fitness for warehouse work (standing/walking, shift stamina, focus over long waves).
  • Forklift/reach-truck license/certificate if you have one (acceptance can be site-dependent).
  • Basic German (A1–A2) is strongly preferred for safety briefings and signage.
Must have
  • English CV (PDF) for review
  • Reach-truck experience with safe racking work
  • RF scanning discipline (location/SKU confirmation)
  • Readiness for shift targets without shortcutting safety
Nice to have
  • High-bay warehouse background
  • Certificate/license (reach truck / forklift)
  • Basic German A1–A2
  • Experience with damage control & stock accuracy checks
Work conditions

Working with a Polish employer on German projects (practical overview)

Many projects are executed in Germany with operational coordination handled by a Polish company. The exact setup depends on the project model, but candidates typically see the following operational standards:

  • Clear onboarding: site rules, shift rhythm, safety zones, scanner workflow, and KPI logic explained in English.
  • Documentation discipline: identity checks, CV verification, and proof of skills/experience before assignment.
  • Gross payroll transparency: payslip structure and reporting aligned with project requirements; all rates stated gross.
  • Posted-worker compliance where applicable: assignment documentation and social-security confirmation (e.g., A1) depending on the arrangement.
  • Project logistics support: accommodation/transport solutions may be available depending on the site and role (always project-specific).
  • Operational feedback loop: performance and safety observations are collected early to stabilize output and reduce incidents.

This section is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility and documentation requirements depend on your nationality, documents, the project model, and authorities.

Documents

Prepare these before applying

  • CV in English (PDF) + working phone number
  • Passport scan + current location (country/city)
  • Certificates/licenses (reach truck / forklift, if available)
  • Short project list: locations, dates, tasks, equipment, WMS/scanner experience

Well-prepared documentation reduces verification time and improves response rates.

Vacancy story (anti-template)

Why this role exists

High-bay warehouses fail quietly: one unstable pallet or one unscanned move can cascade into stock errors and safety incidents. This role focuses on controlled racking work and clean scanner confirmation so the entire flow stays reliable under peak pressure.

The reach truck is not “just another forklift”. In high-bay zones, precision is productivity. Projects request operators who keep a steady rhythm, confirm every location in the scanner, and protect stock integrity as a daily habit.

Sites with mixed teams need predictable processes. The fastest onboarding happens when the operator already understands scanning logic, safe lift behavior, and the discipline required around racking work. That is exactly what this position is built around.

How to apply

Fast, structured application

  1. Create/Upload your CV: mavial.pl/en/cv.html
  2. Send your profile via the contact page: mavial.pl/kontakt.html
  3. We verify fit, check documentation, and contact you if the profile matches active demand.
Non-EU candidates

Reality check: Germany requires a legal route

For many logistics roles, the limiting factor is not language—it is work authorization. Skilled profiles usually have more realistic pathways; entry-level logistics roles are often harder to legalize for non-EU candidates.

  • Skilled worker route (§18a/§18b): more realistic when your qualification can be recognized and your profile fits demand.
  • Western Balkans Regulation: only for citizens of the eligible countries; access depends on current rules.
  • Project-specific solutions: depend on employer capacity, documents, and authority decisions.

No CV — no review. This rule protects processing time and ensures fair screening.

FAQ (anti-template)

Questions candidates ask most often

What is the minimum gross hourly pay in Germany from 01 Jan 2026?
The statutory minimum wage baseline is €13.90 gross/hour from 01 Jan 2026. Offers for reach-truck roles may be higher depending on the project and verified experience.
Do I need a reach-truck or forklift certificate?
A certificate/license is a strong advantage and may be required by some sites. If you do not have one, your practical experience and site rules will determine feasibility.
Is English enough?
English is typically enough for onboarding on these projects. However, basic German (A1–A2) helps with signage and safety briefings.
What shifts are typical in warehouses?
Many sites run day/late or 3-shift systems. The exact pattern depends on the project and can change during peak periods.
Do you provide accommodation or transport?
It can be available depending on the project. Availability and terms are site-specific and are clarified during the matching process.
What documents do you need before review?
At minimum: English CV, passport scan, location, and any certificates. A short project list (tasks + equipment) improves screening speed.
How quickly can I start?
Start speed depends on verification, documentation completeness, and active demand. A complete CV and clear experience description usually accelerates evaluation.
Why do you insist on an English CV?
Because projects are screened centrally. A structured English CV makes skills verifiable and reduces back-and-forth during qualification checks.
What does “high-bay discipline” mean?
Controlled lifting, stable mast behavior, clean turning, correct pallet handling, and zero “untracked moves” in the scanner system.
What is the gross pay floor in 2026?
The legal baseline is €13.90 gross/hour from 01 Jan 2026. Actual offers can differ by site, shift, and verified capability.
Do I need German language skills?
Not always. English onboarding is common. Basic German helps with safety signage and daily coordination on mixed-language sites.
Can non-EU candidates be matched to warehouse roles?
Sometimes, but it is highly dependent on legal pathways and employer capacity. Skilled profiles typically have more options than entry-level profiles.
What should I include to prove reach-truck skills?
Project dates/locations, high-bay exposure, scanner/WMS familiarity, and concrete task examples (put-away, replenishment, relocation, staging).

Tip: If you want faster screening, describe your last 2–3 projects using the same structure: site type, tasks, equipment, shift rhythm, and results.

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