Forklift Technician Jobs

The Forklift Technician keeps the materials handling equipment that underpins automotive parts, logistics and vehicle preparation operations in safe, serviceable condition. Whether servicing electric counterbalance trucks in an automotive parts distribution centre, maintaining reach trucks and order pickers at a vehicle auction site, or diagnosing and repairing LPG and diesel forklifts at a commercial vehicle body builder or PDI facility, the Forklift Technician applies a combination of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic knowledge that is in consistent demand across every part of the automotive supply chain.

Automotive operations depend on materials handling equipment to move parts, components, bodies, tyres and accessories efficiently and safely across warehouse and production environments. When that equipment breaks down, operations stop. The Forklift Technician who delivers reliable planned maintenance, fast reactive fault resolution and clear compliance documentation is an operationally critical member of any automotive logistics or production site.

Venatu recruits Forklift Technicians for permanent and contract roles across automotive parts distributors and warehouses, PDI and vehicle preparation centres, vehicle auction businesses, commercial vehicle body builders, automotive dealership and fleet parts operations and automotive logistics businesses throughout the UK. This role sits within our truck and van and operational support recruitment divisions.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Automotive parts distributors, wholesalers and aftermarket parts warehousing operations
• PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) and vehicle preparation centres with materials handling equipment on site
• Vehicle auction houses and remarketing centres
• Commercial vehicle body builders and specialist vehicle fabrication businesses
• Automotive tyre distributors and parts retail distribution centres
• Franchised dealership group parts and logistics operations
• Automotive logistics and vehicle storage businesses
• Fleet maintenance operations with workshop equipment including powered industrial trucks

Roles We Place

• Forklift Technician
• Materials Handling Equipment Technician
• MHE Service Engineer
• Counterbalance Forklift Technician
• Reach Truck Technician
• Electric Forklift Technician
• LPG and Diesel Forklift Technician
• Senior Forklift Technician
• Forklift Technician Team Leader

Who Can Apply

Strong Forklift Technician candidates in automotive operations typically come from:

• Experienced Forklift Technicians at automotive, logistics, manufacturing or distribution employers who want to move to a new employer, a more technically varied equipment portfolio or an improved package
• Commercial Vehicle Technicians with a strong hydraulics, pneumatics and electrical background who want to broaden into a materials handling equipment specialism covering the counterbalance, reach truck and order picker categories commonly used in automotive parts and logistics environments
• Auto Electricians with experience of vehicle electrical and battery systems who want to develop into electric and lithium-ion battery-powered forklift and materials handling equipment maintenance
• Plant or heavy equipment technicians from construction, civils or industrial manufacturing backgrounds with hydraulic and electrical fault diagnosis experience who want to apply those skills in a structured automotive parts or logistics warehouse environment
• Workshop technicians from tyre, exhaust or fleet maintenance backgrounds with mechanical aptitude who want to move into materials handling equipment maintenance with an employer willing to provide manufacturer-specific product training
• Field Service Technicians (HGV) or mobile engineers who want to move from a field role into a site-based or mobile materials handling equipment maintenance position

Manufacturer-specific training from Linde, Toyota Material Handling, STILL, Jungheinrich, Crown, Hyster, Yale, Manitou or JCB is the most valued credential for Forklift Technician roles and is typically provided or funded by the employer as part of induction. Understanding of LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) inspection requirements and PSSR (Pressure Systems Safety Regulations) for LPG-fuelled equipment is expected at experienced level. Venatu confirms the equipment types and manufacturer training requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

Forklift Technician Salary Guide

Field-based and multi-site mobile Forklift Technician roles typically include a company vehicle and fuel card. Tool allowances and shift premiums for evening or weekend on-call coverage are standard across many operations. Multi-manufacturer accreditation and lithium-ion battery system experience typically places candidates at the higher end of each band. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each employer before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on automotive technical and workshop role remuneration.

What the Role Involves

Planned Preventive Maintenance:

• Carrying out scheduled service visits on counterbalance, reach truck, order picker, pallet truck and specialist materials handling equipment in line with the manufacturer's service interval schedule and the employer's maintenance programme
• Inspecting all safety-critical systems including mast assembly, forks, load backrest, hydraulic hoses and cylinders, braking systems, steering, tyres and overhead guard in compliance with LOLER inspection requirements
• Completing LOLER thorough examination documentation accurately, issuing equipment as fit for continued use or recommending withdrawal from service based on inspection findings
• Servicing battery systems on electric equipment including cell condition checks, electrolyte levels in lead-acid batteries, charging system verification and lithium-ion battery management system diagnostics

Reactive Maintenance and Fault Diagnosis:

• Responding to equipment breakdown call-outs, diagnosing faults across hydraulic, electrical, mechanical and electronic systems using manufacturer diagnostic tools and hand instruments
• Carrying out on-site repairs including hydraulic pump, valve and cylinder repair or replacement, electric motor and controller fault diagnosis and replacement, mast and carriage component replacement and brake system repair
• Managing spare parts requirements against active fault cases, maintaining van stock or site stock accurately and submitting parts orders to keep resolution time within agreed SLA targets

Documentation and Compliance:

• Completing service records, LOLER inspection reports and defect records accurately and submitting to the employer's asset management or fleet management system at the conclusion of each visit
• Supporting the site or warehouse manager with equipment compliance records, identifying equipment approaching its next inspection milestone and planning inspection dates to avoid overrun
• Advising operators on safe equipment operation and reporting operator misuse or unsafe practices to site management where identified

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the equipment types on site, manufacturer makes, service contract structure and any specific LOLER or manufacturer accreditation requirements.
2. We confirm candidate availability and manufacturer training background and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for equipment type experience, hydraulic and electrical fault diagnosis capability and LOLER documentation competency.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with the equipment types and manufacturers you have serviced, any manufacturer accreditations held, LOLER inspection experience and preferred working pattern.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your equipment specialism, preferred employer type and geography.
4. Venatu manages the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.

Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.

FAQ

What qualifications does a Forklift Technician need? There is no single mandatory national qualification for forklift technician roles but manufacturer-specific accreditation from the relevant equipment brand is expected and is typically the most commercially valued credential. RTITB, FLTA (Fork Lift Truck Association) or BITA-aligned engineering training provides a recognised foundation. City and Guilds or IMI qualifications in engineering or plant maintenance are valued alongside manufacturer programmes. Understanding of LOLER 1998 inspection requirements is expected for any role involving statutory examination sign-off. Venatu confirms the manufacturer accreditation and qualification requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

What is LOLER and how does it apply to forklift maintenance? LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) requires that all lifting equipment including forklifts and attachments is subject to a thorough examination by a competent person at least every twelve months, or every six months where the equipment is used to lift people. The thorough examination must be carried out by a competent person with specific knowledge of forklift equipment and must result in a written examination report. Forklift Technicians carrying out LOLER thorough examinations must be able to complete and sign off the examination documentation accurately and must have sufficient knowledge of the equipment to make a sound judgement about its fitness for continued service. Venatu confirms LOLER competency requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

What types of forklift are most common in automotive parts and logistics environments? Counterbalance forklifts in both electric and LPG variants are most widely used for loading, unloading and moving palletised parts. Electric reach trucks and order pickers are common in racked automotive parts warehouses. Pallet movers and pedestrian stackers handle lighter parts movement. Some PDI centres and vehicle storage facilities use tow tractors for movement of vehicle dollies. The specific equipment mix varies by site and operation type. Venatu confirms the equipment portfolio with each employer before presenting candidates.

What does a Forklift Technician earn in the UK? Experienced Forklift Technicians typically earn between £30,000 and £40,000. Senior technicians and those with multi-manufacturer accreditation earn between £36,000 and £46,000. Team leader roles typically sit between £40,000 and £50,000. Field-based mobile roles include a company vehicle and fuel card. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each employer before beginning a search.

What is the progression from Forklift Technician? Common progression routes include Senior Forklift Technician, Technician Team Leader, Service Supervisor, Field Service Manager and Technical Services Manager within a materials handling equipment business. Forklift Technicians who develop multi-manufacturer accreditation and field service management skills across a diverse equipment portfolio are the most commercially mobile. Read about the technical career landscape in the automotive sector in My Tech Story: Danny Whetnall, 25 Years In The Motor Trade.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with the equipment types and manufacturer makes you have serviced, any accreditations held and LOLER experience. Venatu will match you to current Forklift Technician vacancies across automotive parts warehousing, PDI centres, auction businesses and commercial vehicle operations, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.

Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your forklift technician requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.