How to hire a material handler lead

How to hire a material handler lead, step by step

Here's a step-by-step material handler lead hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a material handler lead job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new material handler lead
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a material handler lead do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a material handler lead, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A material handler lead's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, material handler leads from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of material handler lead salaries for various roles:

   Type of Material Handler Lead	Description	Hourly rate
   Material Handler Lead	Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.	$13-22
   Dock Worker	People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships... Show more	$13-20
   Shipping And Receiving Supervisor	A shipping and receiving supervisor streamlines the shipping process for a more efficient company. The supervisors oversee and maintain the supplies and inventory through product receipt, storage, and delivery... Show more	$13-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Logistics
   • Safety Procedures
   • Material Handlers
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Pallets
   • RF
   • Cycle Counts
   • Inventory Control
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • ISO
   • WMS
   • Industrial Trucks
   • Purchase Orders
   • Materials Handling

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Experience in managing JIT material handling, shipping, rail dock, truck dock and metal assembly areas.
   • Lead and execute projects relate to different commodities such as copper and silver, expect savings of $435K.
   • Utilize RF inventory management system, maintain records in accordance with guidelines to ensure integrity of ISO standards.
   • Help the site meet OSHA VPP status.
   • Train as foamer for Hazmat.
   • Follow all OSHA and PPE standards.

   More material handler lead duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your material handler lead job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A material handler lead can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, material handler leads' average salary in michigan is 37% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level material handler leads 38% less than senior-level material handler leads.
   • Certifications. A material handler lead with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a material handler lead's salary.

   Average material handler lead salary

   $37,147yearly

   $17.86 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level material handler lead salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average material handler lead salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$43,841	$21
   2	California	$42,144	$20
   3	Nevada	$41,030	$20
   4	Utah	$40,434	$19
   5	Colorado	$39,640	$19
   6	Minnesota	$39,599	$19
   7	Arizona	$37,881	$18
   8	Wisconsin	$37,796	$18
   9	North Dakota	$36,279	$17
   10	Oklahoma	$34,586	$17
   11	Wyoming	$34,422	$17
   12	Illinois	$34,292	$16
   13	North Carolina	$34,213	$16
   14	Missouri	$33,853	$16
   15	Florida	$33,792	$16
   16	Indiana	$33,218	$16
   17	Tennessee	$32,696	$16
   18	Texas	$32,433	$16
   19	Georgia	$32,156	$15
   20	South Dakota	$31,322	$15

   Average material handler lead salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Halliburton	$54,080	$26.00	7
   2	AstraZeneca	$52,712	$25.34
   3	BD	$46,969	$22.58
   4	Intuitive Surgical	$45,229	$21.74	3
   5	Clean Harbors	$44,709	$21.49	34
   6	FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies	$44,163	$21.23	1
   7	HCA Healthcare	$44,144	$21.22	18
   8	U.S. Census Bureau	$43,427	$20.88
   9	Veolia Water Tech	$42,643	$20.50	15
   10	FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA	$42,461	$20.41	2
   11	Rich Products	$41,492	$19.95	4
   12	EMD Millipore	$41,154	$19.79
   13	Safety-Kleen	$41,083	$19.75	3
   14	Safran	$41,057	$19.74	4
   15	Lucid Motors	$41,042	$19.73	3
   16	HealthTrust	$40,908	$19.67
   17	Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC	$40,283	$19.37	2
   18	McKesson	$40,083	$19.27	11
   19	Reeb	$39,475	$18.98	6
   20	Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego	$39,454	$18.97

4. Writing a material handler lead job description

   A good material handler lead job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a material handler lead job description:

   Material handler lead job description example

   Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
   At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.
   
   We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design - where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.
   
   Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we're providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.
   
   Material Handler Lead, Service Parts Distribution Warehouse
   
   We are currently seeking self-motivated, efficient, and meticulous Material Handlers to join our growing Service Parts Distribution team. As a Material Handler with our organization, you will be responsible for unloading product deliveries, maintaining stock in the warehouse, and moving stock and other materials to fulfill orders. The ideal candidate for the material handler position is a diligent worker who can complete tasks successfully with little to no guidance.
   
   Shift Information:This is an 8-hour shift, Mon-Fri, 8 AM-5 PM, non-exempt, but will require flexibility.
   ResponsibilitiesWorks with allocated MH team to move stock to and from loading docks, delivery vehicles, storage area, and production area either manually or using equipment such as trucks, tractors, or forklifts Follow written or oral instructions from Team Supervisor regarding daily tasks and job duties Works with allocated MH team to stage products on shipping and receiving docks, warehouse, and lineside functions Works with allocated MH team to sort cargo during loading or unloading process and mark containers with identifying information Work with allocated MH team to put away material in specific locations using cargo boards or pallets Use and instruct others on how to use assistive devices - slings, hooks, etc. - to lift and guide cargo Operate material handling equipment such as sit-down forklifts, order pickers, tow motors, pallet jacks, both manual and powered Work with MH team to receive, confirm, track, store, and deliver material from the warehouse to Service customers Lift and unload heavy pallets, both by hand and by machine, and safely relocate them elsewhere or prepare them for transport Facilitate and maintain a safe work environment Perform quality inspections of materials, ensuring that the delivery is completed as requested and that the order meets company and industry standards Keep the warehouse organized and tidy and implement general housekeeping practices to maintain workplace cleanliness Understand the basics of the supply chain, including shipping and receiving logistics, quality assurance, equipment upkeep, and facility maintenance (6S) Demonstrate communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) with all levels of management Has the capability to work independently and as part of a team Exhibit strong self-initiative, problem solving, multi-tasking skills in a fast-paced environment Ability to deal with ambiguity and thrive in a rapidly changing manufacturing environment Experience with SAP EWM and Microsoft Office SuitesOccupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) forklift certification strongly preferred Availability to work overtime hours preferred
   Education RequirementsHigh School Diploma or GEDAt least two to three years of experience operating MHE equipment such as sit down forklift, tow motor, order pickers, and pallet jacks Ability to read and write in EnglishUnderstanding of 6S concepts is helpful
   At Lucid, we don't just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.
   
   Notice regarding COVID-19 protocols
   At Lucid, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and friends above all else. In response to the novel Coronavirus all new Lucid employees, whose job will be based in the United States may or may not be required to provide original documentation confirming status as having received the prescribed inoculation (doses). Vaccination requirements are dependent upon location and position, please refer to the job description for more details.
   
   Individuals in positions requiring vaccinations may seek a medical and/or religious exemption from this requirement and may be granted such an accommodation after submitting a formal request to and the subsequent review and approval thereof by our dedicated Covid-19 Response team.
   
   To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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5. Post your job

   To find material handler leads for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any material handler leads they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level material handler leads with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your material handler lead job on Zippia to find and recruit material handler lead candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with material handler lead candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new material handler lead

   Once you've found the material handler lead candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a material handler lead?