Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Material Handling Technician

🎯 Role Definition

As a Material Handling Technician, you are the backbone of our supply chain and production operations. Your primary mission is to ensure the safe, accurate, and timely movement, storage, and tracking of all materials, from raw components to finished goods. You will operate essential equipment, maintain meticulous inventory records using modern systems, and collaborate with various teams to keep our entire operation running smoothly. Success in this role means a well-organized, safe, and efficient warehouse where the right materials are in the right place at the right time.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate
Picker / Packer
General Laborer

Advancement To:

Lead Material Handler / Team Lead
Warehouse Supervisor
Inventory Control Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Shipping & Receiving Coordinator
Logistics Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely and efficiently operate powered industrial trucks, including forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, and pallet jacks, to move, locate, relocate, stack, and count merchandise.
Load and unload inbound and outbound freight from trucks and containers, ensuring proper stacking, securing, and handling to prevent damage.
Accurately pick, pack, and stage customer orders for shipment, meticulously verifying item numbers, quantities, and lot codes against pick tickets or RF scanner instructions.
Utilize a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and RF scanning equipment to execute and record all inventory transactions, including receipts, put-aways, transfers, and shipments.
Perform systematic inventory counts, cycle counts, and physical inventories to maintain data integrity and investigate any discrepancies between physical stock and system records.
Receive all incoming materials, verifying shipments against purchase orders for accuracy, and conduct thorough inspections for damage before storing items in designated warehouse locations.
Prepare and package materials for shipment, which includes building and wrapping pallets, applying correct labeling, and assisting with the generation of shipping documentation like Bills of Lading (BOL).
Transport raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods to and from production lines, storage areas, and shipping docks to support manufacturing and fulfillment schedules.
Read and interpret work orders, production schedules, and other operational documents to determine items to be moved, gathered, or distributed throughout the facility.
Adhere strictly to all company safety, quality, and operational policies and procedures to ensure a secure and productive work environment.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace by following 5S principles, clearing aisles, disposing of debris, and organizing storage areas.
Conduct daily pre-operational safety inspections and perform basic preventative maintenance on all material handling equipment, promptly reporting any malfunctions or repair needs.
Consolidate partial pallets and reorganize warehouse locations as needed to optimize storage space utilization and improve picking efficiency.
Ensure all dock doors, locks, and restraints are properly engaged and secured during loading and unloading activities to prevent accidents.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the training and onboarding of new team members, demonstrating proper equipment operation, safety protocols, and standard warehouse procedures.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by identifying and suggesting enhancements to warehouse processes, workflows, and safety measures.
Monitor inventory levels of essential shipping and packaging supplies (e.g., boxes, tape, stretch wrap, labels) and notify supervisors when reordering is necessary.
Safely handle, segregate, and store hazardous materials according to company policies and regulatory guidelines (OSHA, DOT).
Accurately document all material movements, transactions, and equipment usage in either manual logs or the WMS for traceability and reporting.
Collaborate effectively with team members, supervisors, and other departments (e.g., Production, Quality Control, Shipping) to coordinate material flow and resolve logistical challenges.
Support the returns (RMA) process by inspecting, processing, and restocking returned goods into the appropriate inventory locations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Forklift Operation Certification: Valid certification for various types of powered industrial trucks (e.g., Sit-down Counterbalance, Stand-up Reach Truck, Order Picker).
RF Scanner Proficiency: Hands-on experience using RF (Radio Frequency) scanning guns for inventory tracking and order fulfillment.
WMS/ERP Experience: Familiarity with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software like SAP, Oracle NetSuite, or similar platforms.
Safety Protocol Knowledge: Strong understanding of warehouse safety standards and OSHA regulations.
Basic Math Skills: Ability to perform accurate calculations for counting, verifying, and reconciling inventory.
Documentation Literacy: Competence in reading and interpreting shipping documents, including Bills of Lading (BOL) and packing slips.
Basic Mechanical Aptitude: Ability to perform pre-use equipment inspections and identify potential maintenance issues.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in executing tasks to ensure accuracy in inventory and order fulfillment.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and other departments to achieve common goals.
Time Management: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying issues, troubleshooting discrepancies, and suggesting viable solutions.
Physical Stamina: Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift objects (typically up to 50 lbs) for extended periods.
Adaptability: Flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities, procedures, and operational demands.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's Degree or a technical certification in a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics
Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of direct experience as a Material Handler or in a similar warehouse/logistics role.

Preferred: Experience in a high-volume distribution center, manufacturing environment, or 3PL facility is highly advantageous.