How To Become A Materials Associate: What It Is and Career Path

What is a materials associate and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

It's all about the goods for the materials associate. A materials associate manages all the materials and products in a workplace, from production to inventory to deliveries. Usually, they work in manufacturing or wherever goods are being made.

All materials pass under the eagle eye of the materials associate. They keep track of all inventory, manage incoming deliveries, and process orders. They also oversee the production process by ensuring that it flows freely and refilling any parts or materials. Materials associates also ensure that materials are stored properly, especially if they are working with dangerous substances such as HAZMAT items.

Materials associates usually don't spend a lot of time in the classroom before getting this job. In fact, only a few have bachelor's degrees. The skills they need to succeed, like excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and experience storing materials, are usually learned on the job.

ScoreMaterials AssociateUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,143

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.6

Growth rate 1%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.96%

Asian 6.65%

Black or African American 10.13%

Hispanic or Latino 20.36%

Unknown 5.51%

White 56.39%

Gender

female 15.38%

male 84.62%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress level

4.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a materials associate

Explore materials associate education requirements

Most common materials associate degrees

Bachelor's

34.2 %

High School Diploma

32.2 %

Associate

20.5 %

Start to develop specific materials associate skills

Skills	Percentages
OSHA	9.41%
RF	8.65%
Management System	7.31%
Pallets	7.05%
Customer Orders	6.80%

Research materials associate duties and responsibilities

Use automate systems and RF units to manage inventory.
Update sonic, manual files, and relay all pertinent info to leads, supervisors and AOG.
Enter orders into ERP system.
Purchase raw materials using MRP planning system.

Prepare your materials associate resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your materials associate resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a materials associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable materials associate resume templates

Build a professional materials associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your materials associate resume.