Material handlers are most prominent in the manufacturing, logistics/warehouse and other industries for ensuring that goods and materials are stored, moved, and structured properly. Their work is critical to the safe and timely flow of materials in production and distribution systems. The purpose of this material handlers job description is to provide the key salary expectations, major work responsibilities, basic qualifications and concerns that a potential employee may have.
Material Handler Position’s Responsibilities
A material handler moves, stores, and monitors the flow of materials in a warehouse, factory or distribution. Some of these tasks include: receiving and dispatching shipments, classifying materials, assembling necessary materials for delivery or preparation for the production process. Material handlers need to be in good overall shape and have keen eyesight and good hand skills for following safety measures and avoiding injuries or damages.
Resume Description for This Job
A candidate aiming to hold the position of material handler should include in their resume a practical experience of injury prevention that is important when operating handling tools as well as organizational proficiency. Here’s a sample description:
“Proven safety in the workplace as an active material handler with above [X years] experience in medium throughput warehouses. Able to work with a forklift and perform inventory tasks with low delays to meet production goals. Able to lend a hand with material arrangements, control of shipments both inbound and outbound as well as maintaining operational flow within departments because of their caution in details and safety standards.”
Feel free to adjust details to better match your experience!
Salary
Depending on the experience, area of residence, sector of work and the employing entity, material handlers in the USA earn different wages. The approximate expectations of salary per year are as follows:
- Entry-Level Material Handler: US$25,000 – US$30,000
- Mid-Level Material Handler (2 – 5 years): US$30,000 – US$40,000
- Experienced Material Handler (5+ years): US$40,000 – US$50,000, with the possibility of earning more in specialized roles like forklift drivers, or as team leaders.
However, for material handlers with specialized skills based in metropolitan locations or those in high demand fields such as manufacturing or logistics, ample economic additional compensation may include remuneration packages such as healthcare, pensions and extra working hours.
Responsibilities
The material handlers’ job functions are very important in the cycle of goods and services in the manufacturing and warehousing industry. Main her duties include:
- Loading and Unloading Shipments: Employing forklifts, moving pallets, or segregating products manually for loading and unloading trucks as well as for organizing the truck.
- Inventory Control: Monitoring level of stocks, updating and changing records, and informing superiors of any stockouts or discrepancies.
- Transporting Materials: Moving materials to and from the production, storage, and dispatch areas within the building.
- Packaging and Labeling: Doing packing, affixing of labels and documentation needed for shipping the items.
- Inspecting Materials and Equipment: Inspecting materials for any breaks or faults and notifying someone about the breakages as well as checking equipment for safe operations.
- Maintaining Clean and Organized Workspaces: Cleaning work sites and ensuring that work areas are secured and free of unnecessary obstructions for safety reasons and efficiency purposes.
- Assisting with Production Needs: Making provisions of materials required by production lines so that wastage time is cut down to the minimum and increase the process flow.
- Adhering to Safety Guidelines: Abiding by the safety policies of the company and utilizing available personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize danger.
Qualifications
The design of material handlers is such that they can perform a physical task, exhibit technical skills as well as possess attention to detail. Key qualifications include the following:
- Education: This job usually calls for a minimum of a high school diploma. Employers willing to fill entry-level positions can even provide on job training.
- Experience: This particular job can be done by individuals with no direct experience as entry-level positions are available but experience in a warehouse or manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.
- Equipment Operation Skills: Candidates who possess operational skills of a forklift, pallet jacks or any other material handling equipment are most likely to be favored. Forklift certification may also be necessary.
- Attention to Detail: Positive ability to monitor an item through the inventory, supervise the shipping procedure and perform the implementation of work orders.
- Physical Fitness: Some tasks will require the worker to stand for long periods of time and the worker will also be required to do plenty of bending and lifting throughout the hours of the day.
- Organizational Skills: Ability to be able to be organized when it comes to orders, materials and even storage areas.
- Basic Math Skills: worker should possess basic mathematical abilities which can assist in the monitoring of stock levels, material dimensions, and even the counting of shipments.
- Safety Awareness: Worker should have knowledge regarding safety measures at the place of work which may involve the use of personal protective equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is certification required for all material handlers?
As a rule, material handlers do not need certification but operating equipment such as forklift trucks may be preferred or mandatory depending on the job. There are employers who will train or assist you in getting certified.
Q2: Is the position of material handler rigorous in terms of physical effort?
In fact most material handlers do lift, shift and carry heavy things on a constant basis hence they must have physical endurance and strength. Frequent standing, bending and lifting materials manually can also be observed in the nature of work.
Q3: How is a material handler different from a warehouse associate?
Although the functions can exist simultaneously, it may be observed that material handling is an activity a lot more focused on the transportation and placement of materials using heavy machinery. Whereas a warehouse associate may be involved in order selection, order packing, inventory such as counting and basic organization.
Q4: Is inventory control part of the responsibility of material handlers?
Yes, material handlers may check material quantities and availability, reporting discrepancies and managing material accounting and record keeping so as to be sure that materials are in stock and properly managed.
Conclusion
To conclude, working as a material handler entails working hands-on which is critical to the smooth operation of warehouses, factories, and distribution centers. It’s a rewarding field for anyone who possesses physical and organizational skills and is of the perspective of relating to safety at the workplace as there are decent pay and scope of growth in this career in the domains of manufacturing and logistics.