What does a material handler do?
Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.
Material handler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real material handler resumes:
- Utilize a manufacturing cloud ERP system to accomplish tasks.
- Operate forklift according to OSHA safety regulations.
- Pull parts from stockroom using detail BOM's.
- Perform daily transactions of materials and inventory movements in ERP system.
- Help train in coming personnel on FedEx and LTL carriers shipping systems.
- Move parts from CNC operators to stock area or to assemblers directly.
- Use multiple attachments including, quad forks, various clamps, and hoists.
- Serve as FedEx warehouse contact with knowledge of the FedEx program, scanning and label machines.
- Assemble frames, separator tanks, components to engines in assign area per BOM or WCI.
- Handle full day to day operation of the warehouse which include both inbound and outbound logistics management.
- Maintain close adherence to warehouse safety standards (e.g., PPE, proper conveyance equipment etiquette, etc . )
- Perform full carton picks via (WMS) generate picking labels, ensuring that all pick labels properly match the product.
- Operate hand truck, pallet jacks, strapping equipment, manual dollies, and hand tools used in material handling tasks.
- Operate multiple attachments proficiently including roll clamp, box clamp, pulp clamp, pallet pusher, forks and double forks.
- Obtain OSHA approve forklift certification.
Material handler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Material Handlers are proficient in Pallets, Basic Math, and Forklifts. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Listening skills, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Material Handlers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 12%
Loaded automotive parts onto semi-trucks after locating and packaging pallets to ensure proper condition.
- Basic Math, 6%
Documented labeling information and size of pallets by using basic mathematics.
- Forklifts, 6%
Operated forklifts according to certifications in loading and unloading carriers.
- Math, 5%
used pallet jacks and dollys here , learned data entry organization and mental math
- Customer Service, 4%
Organized, compiled and kept accurate statistical records of customer complaints, exhibiting excellent customer services skills.
- Hand Tools, 4%
Disassembled/assembled various electronic cellular phone components, utilized a variety of hand tools in an assembly line environment.
Most material handlers use their skills in "pallets," "basic math," and "forklifts" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential material handler responsibilities here:
Hand-eye coordination. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a material handler to have is hand-eye coordination. Their role and responsibilities require that "most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions." Material handlers often use hand-eye coordination in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "inspect and package parts removed from press molds 5s fifo delivery - coordination - organization of parts for export forklift operation"
Listening skills. Many material handler duties rely on listening skills. "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them.," so a material handler will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways material handler responsibilities rely on listening skills: "ensured packages arrival to destination while following strict procedural and safety guidelines * communicated daily routine operations in a prompt manner"
Physical stamina. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of material handlers is physical stamina. This skill is critical to many everyday material handler duties, as "hand laborers and material movers need the endurance to perform strenuous tasks, such as moving or cleaning objects, throughout the day." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "place pallets in hi-racks using standup and sit down forklift while using attention to detail and stamina because job is repetitive. "
Physical strength. A big part of what material handlers do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to material handler responsibilities because "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical material handler tasks: "received new equipment from purchase order and physically inspected gear. "
Customer-service skills. Another crucial skill for a material handler to carry out their responsibilities is "customer-service skills." A big part of what material handlers relies on this skill, since "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." How this skill relates to material handler duties can be seen in an example from a material handler resume snippet: "arrange merchandise to meet customer request, and to meet safety guidelines. "
The three companies that hire the most material handlers are:
- Uline348 material handlers jobs
- Randstad North America, Inc.237 material handlers jobs
- Builders FirstSource213 material handlers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable material handler resume templates
Build a professional material handler resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your material handler resume.
Compare different material handlers
Material handler vs. Production forklift operator
People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, material handler responsibilities require skills like "basic math," "forklifts," "math," and "customer service." Meanwhile a typical production forklift operator has skills in areas such as "line production," "pallet jack," "production equipment," and "production schedules." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Production forklift operators tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,768. In contrast, material handlers make the biggest average salary, $36,166, in the automotive industry.The education levels that production forklift operators earn slightly differ from material handlers. In particular, production forklift operators are 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a material handler. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material handler vs. Dock worker
Each career also uses different skills, according to real material handler resumes. While material handler responsibilities can utilize skills like "forklifts," "customer service," "hand tools," and "shipping receiving," dock workers use skills like "tractor trailer," "dock equipment," "freight bills," and "safety policies."
On average, dock workers earn a higher salary than material handlers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, dock workers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,927. Whereas material handlers have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $36,166.dock workers earn similar levels of education than material handlers in general. They're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material handler vs. Fork truck operator
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a material handler is likely to be skilled in "basic math," "forklifts," "math," and "customer service," while a typical fork truck operator is skilled in "load trailers," "pallet jack," "semi trailers," and "truck operation."
Fork truck operators make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $37,114. On the other hand, material handlers are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $36,166.fork truck operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to material handlers. Specifically, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material handler vs. Forklift operator and receiver
Types of material handler
Updated January 8, 2025
