How to hire a materials handling equipment operator

How to hire a materials handling equipment operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step materials handling equipment operator hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the materials handling equipment operator you need to hire. Certain materials handling equipment operator 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

   Hiring the perfect materials handling equipment operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents materials handling equipment operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$12-20
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Grinder Operator	Grinding machines are used to crush and grind the outer or inner cylindrical or tapered surfaces of metal surfaces. A grinder operator is someone who sets up and operates grinding machines... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Pallet Jack
   • Safety Regulations
   • End Loaders
   • Basic Math
   • Safety Procedures
   • Safety Rules
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Rail Cars
   • Safety Checks
   • Inventory Control
   • Walkie
   • RF Scanner
   • PPE

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate stand-up forklift, reach truck and walkie.
   • Unload railcars using crane, forklift and overhead hoists.
   • Certify on walkie rider, stand-up forklift/ high reach forklift, and turret truck.
   • Perform daily pre and post maintenance inspection checks on designate material handling equipment (MHE).
   • Load and secure items onto pallets and ensure that the materials are in the proper place and prepare them for shipment.
   • Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your materials handling equipment operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A materials handling equipment operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, materials handling equipment operators' average salary in north carolina is 33% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level materials handling equipment operators earn 37% less than senior-level materials handling equipment operators.
   • Certifications. A materials handling equipment operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a materials handling equipment operator's salary.

   Average materials handling equipment operator salary

   $16.61hourly

   $34,554 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level materials handling equipment operator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a materials handling equipment operator job description

   A materials handling equipment operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a materials handling equipment operator job description:

   Materials handling equipment operator job description example

   Objective:
   
   This position is responsible for performing all shipping, receiving and inventory tasks as it relates to the warehouse in manufacturing, including supplying manufacturing with requested parts as needed and keeping a clean and orderly warehouse.
   
   Responsibilities and Essential Functions (applicable to all departments listed above):
   
   * Sign for shipments upon receipt and verifying that the correct product has been received.
   * Thoroughly inspect merchandise for any damages and discrepancies.
   * Using forklifts, hand carts, or pallet jacks to load, unload, move, stack, and arrange product accordingly.
   * Work under supervision and direction of warehouse supervisor and team leads.
   * Assist with all shipping, receiving, and inventory.
   * Scan and track incoming and outgoing orders.
   * Move and transfer products between various sections of the warehouse as well as company departments.
   * Stuck, shelve, and stage items for storage and shipment as necessary.
   * Fulfill and truck outgoing orders.
   * Ensure tools and equipment are kept clean and in working order.
   * Report any equipment malfunctions or issues to upper management.
   * Follow all warehouse policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
   * Adhere to health and safety rules and regulations at all times.
   * Wear protective equipment as required.
   * Operate tools and machinery safely and efficiently according to company policy.
   * Work with other warehouse team members to effectively complete assigned tasks.
   * Drive PIV's.
   * Feed different departments with parts as needed in timely manner.
   * Load/Unload trucks.
   * Ability to locate products.
   * Responsible for costumer returns.
   * Maintains safe and clean work environment by keeping shelves, pallet area, and workstations clean by sweeping, dusting and mopping.
   * Organize warehouse and work area for orderliness.
   * Prepare product shipments, including the review of internal material travelers and related documents prior to authorization of shipments.
   * Ability to lift and move an excess of 50lbs unassisted.
   
   Work Environment:
   
   This is a manufacturing facility and as a result, employees have the potential to be exposed to noise, chemicals, fumes, airborne particles, machinery, vibration or other workplace hazards controlled within compliance of current safety and health standards.
   
   Qualifications:
   
   * Highschool diploma or equivalent required.
   * Experience in warehouse preferred.
   * Must be able to speak, read, write and otherwise communicate in English with sufficient fluency.
   * Ability to distinguish color.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right materials handling equipment operator 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 materials handling equipment operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit materials handling equipment operators 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 materials handling equipment operator job on Zippia to find and recruit materials handling equipment operator 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 materials handling equipment operators, 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 materials handling equipment operator

   Once you've found the materials handling equipment operator 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new materials handling equipment operator. 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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