What does a material handler lead do?
A material handler lead, also known as a package handler, warehouse associate, or hand laborer, manually moves products, merchandise, stock, and other materials. This role tends to be found within supply chains, manufacturing, production, shipping, storage, or customer receiving. This role entails maintaining inventory, taking note of the location of stock, verifying production orders, loading delivery trucks, and filling client orders. They also need to ensure safety in the working area and maintain accurate documentation of the materials that are being shipped.
Material handler lead responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real material handler lead resumes:
- 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.
- Train others on the usage of WMS and warehouse procedures.
- Coordinate and schedule all hazmat material and refuse disposal with vendors.
- Load and unload trucks with the use of the sit down forklift.
- Utilize WMS to schedule pick orders, inventory, data entry and administrative support.
- Use RF scanner guns to pick orders, then use WM program to pack orders for shipment to customers.
- Select to train new hires on material handling procedures, computer software and shipping procedures to comply with ISO certification guidelines.
- Develop and complete internal ISO audits and submit corrective action requests.
- Locate pallets of merchandise in different departments using stand up rider jack also loading an operating assemble line processing merchandise
- Operate conveyors, hoists, battery-powered walkies/forklifts.
Material handler lead skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Material Handler Leads are proficient in Logistics, Safety Procedures, and Material Handlers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Physical stamina, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Material Handler Leads that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Logistics, 9%
Down loads data from HTT to the computer using the Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS) program.
- Safety Procedures, 9%
Implement safety procedures/policies as needed.
- Material Handlers, 9%
Certified material handlers in forklift operation and implemented new safety policies.
- Shipping Receiving, 7%
Contributed input into the content development of certification test/observation for shipping receiving, and stockroom operations.
- Pallets, 5%
Make sure machines have material to run, make sure all operators have enough product to fill orders, wrap pallets.
- RF, 4%
Used an RF Scanner to ensure that the packages going to specific destinations were placed in the correct containers.
Most material handler leads use their skills in "logistics," "safety procedures," and "material handlers" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential material handler lead responsibilities here:
Listening skills. One of the key soft skills for a material handler lead to have is listening skills. You can see how this relates to what material handler leads do because "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." Additionally, a material handler lead resume shows how material handler leads use listening skills: "communicated issues to management > performed cycle counting and physical inventory. "
Physical stamina. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling material handler lead duties is physical stamina. The role rewards competence in this skill because "hand laborers and material movers need the endurance to perform strenuous tasks, such as moving or cleaning objects, throughout the day." According to a material handler lead resume, here's how material handler leads can utilize physical stamina in their job responsibilities: "job requires physical lifting, endurance, stamina, operate forklifts & electric pallet jacks. "
Physical strength. material handler leads are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to material handler lead responsibilities, because "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." A material handler lead resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "conducted scheduled cycle counts and physical inventories researching, reconciling, and correcting inventory discrepancies. "
Customer-service skills. A big part of what material handler leads do relies on "customer-service skills." You can see how essential it is to material handler lead responsibilities because "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical material handler lead tasks: "performed cycle counts, and customer audits on inventory. "
The three companies that hire the most material handler leads are:
- Yusen Logistics15 material handler leads jobs
- RJW Transport12 material handler leads jobs
- Lucid Motors11 material handler leads jobs
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Compare different material handler leads
Material handler lead vs. Dock worker
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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a material handler lead are more likely to require skills like "logistics," "material handlers," "shipping receiving," and "rf." On the other hand, a job as a dock worker requires skills like "safety rules," "tractor trailer," "ltl," and "unload trailers." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Dock workers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,927. In contrast, material handler leads make the biggest average salary, $40,024, in the health care industry.On average, dock workers reach similar levels of education than material handler leads. Dock workers are 1.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Material handler lead vs. 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. They supervise employees who confirm and record shipment receipt, prepare items for shipping, and load and unload purchases. Supervisors should be equipped with leadership, effective communication, conflict resolution, and time management skills. They are also expected to delegate and have confidence.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real material handler lead resumes. While material handler lead responsibilities can utilize skills like "pallets," "electric pallet jack," "industrial trucks," and "materials handling," shipping and receiving supervisors use skills like "pallet jack," "sales floor," "ltl," and "corrective action."
Shipping and receiving supervisors may earn a lower salary than material handler leads, but shipping and receiving supervisors earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $40,669. On the other hand, material handler leads receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $40,024.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Shipping and receiving supervisors tend to reach similar levels of education than material handler leads. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material handler lead vs. Receiving supervisor
A receiving supervisor manages and directs the activities of teams receiving and handling deliveries and items. Receiving supervisors coordinate and support the operations in their department. They decide on the unloading, intake, storage, and distribution of the items. It is part of their job to train their staff in handling, sorting, and maintaining stock and associated problems. They assess reports and provide a response to quality-related issues. Also, they identify work procedures, expedite workflow, and prepare their work schedule.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from material handler lead resumes include skills like "pallets," "materials handling," "erp," and "hazardous waste," whereas a receiving supervisor is more likely to list skills in "sales floor," "excellent interpersonal," "customer service," and "osha. "
Receiving supervisors make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $39,325. On the other hand, material handler leads are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $40,024.receiving supervisors typically earn similar educational levels compared to material handler leads. Specifically, they're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material handler lead vs. Unloader
An unloader is responsible for monitoring truck deliveries and managing all goods and merchandise to the store. Unloaders verify the deliveries' correct quantity by checking the receipts and ensuring its quality for customers' purchase. They respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, facilitate the shelf arrangement of the products, sort items, and help with the store's organization and cleanliness. An unloader must have excellent time-management skills and the ability to multitask to perform various tasks in the fast-paced industry.
Types of material handler lead
Updated January 8, 2025
