How to hire a material loader

How to hire a material loader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step material loader 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 loader job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new material loader
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the material loader you need to hire. Certain material loader roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A material loader's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, material loaders 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 loader salaries for various roles:

   Type of Material Loader	Description	Hourly rate
   Material Loader	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.	$13-19
   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
   Package Handler	A package handler's primary duty is to place and load correct packages to delivery vehicles and review inventory upon shipments. Package handlers are responsible for analyzing product labels to make sure that the items are accurately processed... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Loaders

   Responsibilities:

   • Distribute production materials to designate locations on assembly lines observing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory control practice.
   • Exercise operator safety, maintenance, housekeeping practices, quality control and extremely critical importance of PPE.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, material loaders' average salary in alabama is 39% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level material loaders 30% less than senior-level material loaders.
   • Certifications. A material loader 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 loader's salary.

   Average material loader salary

   $16.25hourly

   $33,799 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level material loader salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a material loader job description

   A good material loader 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 loader job description:

   Material loader job description example

   Are you looking to be part of the team for a non-profit, where our passion and purpose is to provide job skills training, a compassionate culture, and employment opportunities for disabled veterans and other people with disabilities? If you are an experienced Material Handler, please consider applying for this position within our company at the Fort Hood Commissary.
   
   Under the direction of the Supervisor, the Material Handler maintains production and distribution of products by pulling receiving inventory; delivering production materials and supplies; staging finished products, and keeping organized and accurate accountability of products. Maintains constant monitoring of cleanliness to ensure company standards are correctly maintained while using the appropriate supplies and equipment in a responsible and efficient manner.
   * Due to contract requirements, priority will be given to persons with disabilities. *
   
   Job Duties:
   
   * Removes shipped materials from delivery vehicles and moves to designated storage areas. Incoming shipments will include products, parts, or raw materials.
   * Hollows out pallets to enable DeCA to confirm the delivery count.
   * Separates/Segregate product for specified areas.
   * Examines receiving documents for storage destination.
   * Pulls stored materials for orders and moves to production or shipping area.
   * Documents information relating to the receipt, storage, or distribution materials.
   * May operate a forklift (only if certified), pallet jack for moving or stacking materials.
   * Ability to follow directions.
   * Ability to abide by company policies and procedures.
   * Perform other duties as assigned.
   
   Work Environment:
   
   * Stand and walk (100%).
   * Be able to move and lift 45+ pounds.
   * Works inside and outside subject to heat, cold, damp, drafty, or poorly lighted areas.
   * Work may be dirty, dusty, and greasy.
   * Frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts, scrapes, and bruises or injury from material handling equipment.
   * Must be at least 18 years old.
   * High School Diploma or G.E.D.
   * One year of relevant experience.
   * The job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable.
   * Read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
   * Be able to pass a background check and screening requirements as required by contract and company standards.
   
   This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.
   
   About the Company:
   
   Since 2001, Mavagi Enterprises, Inc. has been providing its customers with the unique opportunity to employ a social enterprise that provides cleaning and ground maintenance services, as well as other meaningful job opportunities. Our company aims to provide opportunities to people with disabilities in order to assist them in overcoming barriers that limit their potential. With a vision to continue to be a respected employer of people with disabilities and vendor of choice in the markets we serve by cultivating an exceptional service-driven company that is committed to excellence and quality. Our values are to act with integrity at all times; to know our responsibilities as leaders; to create an environment where all associates are valued and respected; and to make ethical decisions while acting responsibly, ethically, and compliantly.
   
   Mavagi Enterprises, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right material loader for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with material loaders they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit material loaders who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit material loaders, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 loader

   Once you've selected the best material loader candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new material loader. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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