What does a materials associate do?
A Materials Associate will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities for an organization. These include maintaining the production and distribution of products, documenting materials and supplies, and preparing finished products for shipment. As a Materials Associate, you will perform preventive maintenance of material handling equipment and schedule and monitor delivery pickups. You will also perform other duties that may include maintaining established company procedures, policies, and standards, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and maintaining building security.
Materials associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real materials associate resumes:
- 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.
- Contact suppliers to request ROHS and ISO certifications.
- Pick and confirm medical equipment for other technology companies using RF scanners.
- Analyze MRP and place purchasing requisitions base upon MRP or business need.
- Ensure that the equipment and facilities adhere to all OSHA rules and regulations.
- Verify that traveler and BOM are correct, assist in any material discrepancy activities.
- Forecast and source of raw material purchases base on GMP production plan and schedule.
- Examine, stock, and distribute GMP and non-GMP materials to inventory and manufacturing lines.
- Apply FIFO management and routinely stock all incoming material in the appropriate location for speedy retrieval.
- Replenish components and materials to manufacturing to keep production flowing; adhere to FIFO principles and requirements.
- Develop a new and efficient method to measure the weight of pallets that left and enter the facility.
- Keep department clean, face all isles, down stock overhead pallets, as well as bring in extra freight.
Materials associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Materials Associates are proficient in OSHA, RF, and Management System. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Materials Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- OSHA, 9%
Unload and Stock Merchandise Maintain Computerized Inventory Ensure OSHA Standards are Maintained
- RF, 9%
Facilitate an accurate order fulfillment process utilizing an RF device.
- Management System, 7%
Acquired sensitive medical laboratory supplies from warehouse storage using an advanced inventory management system.
- Pallets, 7%
Stacked pallets in a way that was safe and ready for shipment, Skilled in using dollies and pallet jack
- Customer Orders, 7%
Prepare substantial deliveries of customer orders typically involving a large variety of products.
- Shipping Receiving, 6%
Operated various types of forklifts, pulled orders, light shipping receiving using UPS and Fed Ex shipping software.
"osha," "rf," and "management system" are among the most common skills that materials associates use at work. You can find even more materials associate responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a materials associate to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." Materials associates often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "assisted customers in material selection , excellent customer service and attention to detail. "
Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling materials associate duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." According to a materials associate resume, here's how materials associates can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "level 1 certification (product knowledge)skills usedcustomer serviceteam workproblem solvingbasic arithmetic and algebrafork lift driver"
Communication skills. materials associates are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to materials associate responsibilities, because "production, planning, and expediting clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, and production managers and need to communicate the firm’s scheduling needs effectively." A materials associate resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "established key business corporate alliances to improve communication and customer service. "
Customer-service skills. For certain materials associate responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "customer-service skills." The day-to-day duties of a materials associate rely on this skill, as "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what materials associates do: "assist in cycle counts, customer service questions, stocking and product organization. "
The three companies that hire the most materials associates are:
- Raytheon Technologies25 materials associates jobs
- Atrium Health Floyd14 materials associates jobs
- Ryder System10 materials associates jobs
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Compare different materials associates
Materials associate vs. Inventory controller
An inventory controller is responsible for performing duties for the inventory department of an organization. Inventory controllers ensure the adequacy of the product and materials needed for daily operations. They maintain inventory reports, manage stock supplies, negotiate with third-party vendors for orders of quality products, monitor deliveries, verifying orders for shipment, handling the employee and customers' requests for supplies, and receiving orders efficiently. Inventory controllers keep receipts of all inventory transactions, as well as inspecting the quality of the inventory items, requiring them to have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between materials associates and inventory controller. For instance, materials associate responsibilities require skills such as "osha," "rf," "pallets," and "shipping receiving." Whereas a inventory controller is skilled in "logistics," "perishables," "inventory management," and "warehouse inventory." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Inventory controllers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,671. Comparatively, materials associates tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $48,950.The education levels that inventory controllers earn slightly differ from materials associates. In particular, inventory controllers are 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a materials associate. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials associate vs. Forklift operator and receiver
Warehouse workers are employees assigned to handle tasks inside the company's warehouse. They are in charge of managing the entry and exit of goods inside the warehouse, ensure that the inventory is up-to-date, and check the quality of the goods that are stored. Warehouse workers receive the items that are delivered to the warehouse, ensure that the items are complete using the delivery list, and keep the items safe in the designated area in the warehouse. They also clear any items that will exit the warehouse by ensuring that only the items that are on the list will be removed from the warehouse, and checking if these items are safely packed before leaving.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that materials associate responsibilities requires skills like "osha," "rf," "management system," and "math." But a forklift operator and receiver might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "load trucks," "rf scanner," "forklift operation," and "stand-up forklift."
Forklift operators and receiver earn a lower average salary than materials associates. But forklift operators and receiver earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $37,086. Additionally, materials associates earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $48,950 annually.forklift operators and receiver earn similar levels of education than materials associates in general. They're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials associate vs. Warehouse worker
A shipper receiver is responsible for processing and packaging items for shipment and receiving incoming merchandise for warehouse storage. Shipper receivers assist in loading and unloading items from the distribution trucks, checking inventory receipts, inspecting the quality and quantity of the items, preparing shipping documents, and ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of storage areas. They also update inventory records on the warehouse's database, administering orders and payments, and responding to the customer's inquiries and concerns. A shipper receiver should have a working knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating warehouse tools and equipment safely and efficiently.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a materials associate is likely to be skilled in "osha," "rf," "management system," and "shipping receiving," while a typical warehouse worker is skilled in "warehouse environment," "industrial trucks," "safety regulations," and "steel-toed boots."
Warehouse workers earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $34,731. Materials associates earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $48,950.warehouse workers typically earn similar educational levels compared to materials associates. Specifically, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials associate vs. Shipper receiver
Types of materials associate
Updated January 8, 2025
