What Does a Material Handler Do?
A material handler is responsible for the safe and efficient movement, storage, and tracking of materials within warehouses, manufacturing plants, or distribution centers. This hands-on role involves receiving, loading, unloading, staging, and replenishing materials and supplies to ensure that operational workflows remain smooth and uninterrupted. Material handlers may work with equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, or RF scanners to move inventory across departments or locations.
Beyond physical handling, material handlers also assist with inventory management by conducting cycle counts, updating tracking systems, and reporting discrepancies. They must follow safety and compliance standards when storing materials, especially in regulated industries like food, pharmaceuticals, or aerospace. Accuracy, reliability, and strong communication are essential for maintaining efficiency and preventing production delays.
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Material Handler Core Responsibilities
- Load, unload, and move materials throughout the facility
- Deliver materials to production lines or storage areas as required
- Maintain accurate inventory records and assist with cycle counts
- Use forklifts, pallet jacks, or other equipment safely and efficiently
- Label, organize, and store incoming and outgoing shipments
- Follow safety procedures and report any material or equipment issues
- Assist with packing, staging, or preparing materials for shipment
- Maintain a clean and organized work area
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Ability to operate material handling equipment (forklift, pallet jack, RF scanner)
- Familiarity with inventory tracking systems or warehouse management software
- Understanding of basic warehouse safety procedures and material labeling
Soft skills
- Dependability and punctuality
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Physical stamina and ability to lift or move heavy materials
- Communication and teamwork
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
Certifications
- Required (if operating equipment):
- Forklift Certification (OSHA-compliant)
- Recommended: Safety training or first-aid certification, depending on work environment
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of experience in a warehouse, manufacturing, or logistics environment
- Familiarity with ERP or WMS platforms such as SAP, NetSuite, or Oracle
- Experience working in temperature-controlled or regulated material settings
National Average Salary
Material handler salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Material Handler is:
$33,254
Sample Job Description Templates for Material Handlers
Entry-Level Material Handler
Position Overview
We are hiring an Entry-Level Material Handler to support our warehouse and production operations by moving, organizing, and tracking materials throughout the facility. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to start a career in logistics or manufacturing with hands-on training provided.
Responsibilities
- Load and unload deliveries using manual or powered equipment
- Move raw materials, parts, or finished goods to designated areas
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of storage and staging areas
- Assist with labeling, packing, and inventory tagging
- Follow all safety protocols and report issues to supervisors
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic familiarity with warehouse operations and equipment
- Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 lbs regularly
- Willingness to train on forklifts or pallet jacks
Soft skills
- Dependability and punctuality
- Willingness to learn and take direction
- Strong work ethic and teamwork
Education
- High school diploma or GED
Certifications
- Not required
- Preferred: Forklift certification (can be obtained after hire)
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous warehouse or manufacturing experience is a plus
Experienced Material Handler
Position Overview
We are seeking an Experienced Material Handler to support inventory movement, warehouse organization, and materials delivery to production lines. This role requires prior experience in material handling and basic knowledge of inventory systems.
Responsibilities
- Operate forklifts and pallet jacks to transport goods
- Deliver raw materials to production areas and remove completed goods
- Perform routine inventory counts and report discrepancies
- Assist with receiving, labeling, and organizing shipments
- Follow warehouse layout plans and maintain safety standards
Requirements
Hard skills
- Forklift operation and RF scanner use
- Familiarity with WMS or ERP inventory systems
- Knowledge of proper stacking, storage, and material staging practices
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and in teams
- Consistent, reliable performance under deadlines
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
Certifications
- Forklift Certification (required)
- OSHA safety training (preferred)
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–3 years of warehouse or manufacturing material handling experience
Lead Material Handler
Position Overview
We are hiring a Lead Material Handler to supervise daily material movement tasks, coordinate workflow among handlers, and support inventory accuracy across departments. This role ensures team compliance with safety, efficiency, and tracking standards.
Responsibilities
- Assign and oversee tasks for a team of material handlers
- Coordinate receiving, storage, staging, and delivery of materials
- Train new team members and provide on-the-floor guidance
- Perform advanced inventory tasks and cycle counts
- Communicate with supervisors, production leads, and logistics teams
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced knowledge of warehouse processes and ERP/WMS systems
- Proficiency in forklift and material handling equipment use
- Inventory reconciliation and documentation
Soft skills
- Leadership and team coordination
- Conflict resolution and task delegation
- Strong organizational and time management skills
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
Certifications
- Forklift Certification
- Preferred: OSHA 30 or supervisory safety certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years in materials handling, including team leadership experience
Senior Material Handler
Position Overview
We are looking for a Senior Material Handler to take ownership of high-priority inventory workflows, oversee complex material movements, and support quality and compliance efforts across the warehouse or production site.
Responsibilities
- Lead material transfer operations for large-scale or high-value items
- Support inventory control through documentation and data entry
- Identify and resolve material shortages, misplacements, or delays
- Train junior handlers and ensure adherence to company policies
- Collaborate with warehouse management on process improvements
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in ERP systems and materials documentation
- Ability to interpret work orders, manifests, and packing slips
- Use of pallet jacks, forklifts, and shrink-wrapping tools
Soft skills
- Proactive problem-solving
- Effective mentoring and training skills
- Accuracy and accountability in inventory-related tasks
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
Certifications
- Forklift Certification (required)
- Preferred: Six Sigma Yellow Belt or warehouse safety certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in materials handling, logistics, or warehouse roles
Material Handler – 2nd or Weekend Shift
Position Overview
We are hiring a Material Handler for our 2nd or weekend shift operations. This role is critical for maintaining material flow outside standard business hours and supports night/weekend production, shipping, and receiving tasks.
Responsibilities
- Load, unload, and transport materials across departments after hours
- Maintain accurate inventory records using handheld scanners
- Monitor material staging areas and replenish production lines
- Follow facility safety standards during independent or low-supervision shifts
- Report issues to shift supervisors and complete daily logs
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience operating forklifts and pallet jacks
- Basic data entry or scanner usage for inventory updates
- Ability to work independently during non-peak hours
Soft skills
- Self-motivation and accountability
- Flexibility and reliability in a non-standard schedule
- Problem-solving when immediate support is unavailable
Education
- High school diploma or GED
Certifications
- Forklift Certification (required)
- Preferred: First Aid/CPR or night shift safety training
Preferred Qualifications
- 1+ year of experience in a warehouse or materials handling environment on off-shifts