Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Materials Handler
A Materials Handler is a professional who plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth flow of materials within an organization. They are responsible for managing inventory, storing and organizing materials, and ensuring timely distribution. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Materials Handlers.
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Main Responsibilities of a Materials Handler
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Materials Handler:
Achieve
Achieve goals consistently and efficiently.
Acknowledge
Acknowledge customers, smiles and makes eye contact.
Adhere to
Adhere to general safety requirements.
Adhere to safety regulations and standards.
Adhere to the 7S program and maintain a clean environment at all times.
Administer
Administer inventory control and replenishes stock.
Alert
Alert the higher-level supervisor or proper point of contact for help when problems arise.
Analyze
Analyze pick sheets based on clients orders and pull the appropriate products for each order.
Apply
Apply hand or foot brakes and more levers to lock hoists.
Assess
Assess and monitor inventory transactions / movement within the ERP system.
Assist in
Assist customers and communicates positively in a friendly manner.
Assist in conducting physical inventory counts.
Assist in loading materials onto trucks for transportation.
Assist in other warehouse areas as needed.
Assist in the implementation of inventory management software.
Assist in warehouse safety, cleaning, organizing, and waste disposal.
Assist when necessary with receipt and receiving inspection of incoming material shipments.
Assist with handling of parts.
Assist with shipping and receiving of parts.
Check
Check for satisfaction on the quality of goods and services.
Check inventory for expiration dates of supplies when fill cart or par levels.
Close
Close work orders and review and reconcile work order material scans.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with other departments to fulfill material requests.
Collaborate with purchasing and procurement teams on material selection.
Communicate
Communicate and cooperate with supervisors and coworkers.
Communicate with suppliers and vendors regarding material orders.
Complete
Complete accurate and timely quality checks.
Complete accurate and timely qulaity checks.
Complete all material data entries and transactions in SAP software.
Complete and signs shipping and receiving reports.
Complete inventory logs into stock.
Complete production orders, picking kits and picking sales orders.
Complete visual and dimensional inspection of parts and verify that material standards are met.
Conduct
Conduct cycle counts to ensure accuracy and timely execution.
Conduct regular inventory audits to maintain accurate stock levels.
Conduct self with professionalism and respect toward others.
Conform
Conform to all safety rules and regulations of the Company and OSHA standards.
Contribute
Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Coordinate with
Coordinate with production teams to ensure timely material availability.
Create
Create and or maintain transactional inventory records.
Create / maintain a systematical filing system for invoices and other index documents.
Create purchase orders through SAP.
Drive
Drive freight truck to and from Plant Operations to Distribution Center.
Ensure
Ensure all incoming delivery matches the company purchase order.
Ensure all scrap is bagged and put in cart and up off the floor.
Ensure appropriate storage conditions are maintained.
Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures and a safe and effective work environment.
Ensure customer happiness and joy without violating processes and procedures.
Ensure full responsive coverage for all channels during all business hours.
Ensure inventory tasks related to engineering changes are completed in an accurate and timely manner.
Ensure materials are properly cleaned and packaged for cleanroom entry.
Ensure notes in orders for all customer contacts.
Ensure proper labeling and identification of materials.
Ensure quality of product before being packaged.
Ensure returns are processed correctly.
Ensure that all items are properly located, stored and identified.
Ensure the availability of production material for the assigned programs.
Evaluate
Evaluate and recommend improvements to material handling systems.
Examine
Examine and inspect items for wear or defects reporting any damage to supervisors.
Fill
Fill and account for material requisitions submitted from Operations.
Fill kits and deliver to production as required Maintain stocking inventory objectives.
Fill orders and be in constant movement.
Follow
Follow all company and safety rules, policies and procedures.
Follow appropriate company safety procedures and wear all required PPE.
Follow a route for collecting and dropping off material requirements throughout the shop.
Follow environmental regulations for handling hazardous materials.
Follow quality service standards and comply with procedures, rules and regulations.
Follow safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized work area.
Get
Get / Make boxes when necessary.
Handle
Handle waste management including electronic waste, equipment recycling, batteries, etc..
Hire
Hire and manage the customer service team.
Identify
Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency.
Implement
Implement quality control measures to ensure material integrity.
Include
Include Parts Prep area and inventory done in Value Add.
Increase
Increase available throughout temporary period based on performance and attendance.
Inspect
Inspect incoming material for damage.
Inspect materials for damage or defects upon delivery.
Issue
Issue and distribute the kits to the manufacturing operation.
Keep
Keep records of outgoing order.
Keep work area clean and neat.
Kit
Kit and stage materials for production work orders.
Label
Label inventory with release labels 4-6 hours per day.
Lift
Lift and carry objects up to 45 lbs. independently and objects over 45 lbs. with assistance.
Load
Load and unload incoming and outgoing materials and products.
Load and unload inventory from loading docks, delivery trucks, storage areas, and production areas.
Load trucks with finished products.
Locate
Locate materials and supplies by pulling and verifying items listed on production orders.
Maintain
Maintain accurate inventory.
Maintain a clean and orderly environment for the Materials Handling Departments areas of responsibly.
Maintain and conducts small repairs on and equipment.
Maintain a tidy and clean stores area in line with 5S principles.
Maintain brand voice of Fringe Sport in customer contacts.
Maintain cooperative relationships with other departments and personnel.
Maintain inventory by identifying, labeling, and placing materials and supplies in stock.
Maintain knowledge of industry trends and best practices in material handling.
Maintain records of damaged or defective materials and initiate returns.
Maintain storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
Maintain warehouse in a clean and orderly condition with timely removal of all waste.
Make
Make sure that job is run per documentation and asks questions if instruction is not clear.
Make sure that job is run per work order and asks questions if work order is not clear.
Monitor
Monitor and replenish POU and Kanban inventory as necessary.
Monitor and track the movement of materials within the facility.
Monitor work processes and results.
Move
Move materials to and form storage or production.
Move materials to and from loading docks, delivery trucks, storage areas, and manufacturing areas.
Move product around warehouse.
Observe
Observe proper material handling procedures in performance of duties.
Operate
Operate forklift and reach truck.
Operate forklift or powered lift to load onto freight truck.
Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, or other equipment to move materials.
Operate various kinds of industrial equipment.
Order
Order fulfillment for outbound shipments.
Order Picking and Packing.
Organize
Organize and lifts heavy items (up to 50 lbs.).
Organize and store materials in designated locations.
Package
Package material to ensure protection of parts during transit.
Package product correctly.
Participate in
Participate in inventory cycle count activities and investigate and resolve count discrepancies.
Perform
Perform cycle counts of finished goods and raw materials inventory.
Perform daily housekeeping and preventive maintenance duties.
Perform duties outlined below in addition to assisting functional areas when available.
Perform duties that may include packing, scanning kitting or counting products.
Perform Inventory Transactions within ERP system.
Perform physical movement of materials from one area to another using handcarts or forklifts.
Perform required data entry functions in SAP to execute the shipping process.
Pick
Pick and prepare material for shipment.
Pick materials as required and perform associated transactions.
Pick part kits and deliver to production.
Pick required items for orders according to start date.
Pick parts products for shipments ensuring accuracy of identification and quantity.
Place
Place merchandise on the conveyors leading to wrapping areas.
Prepare
Prepare materials for shipping, including packaging and labeling.
Prepare pallets for delivery.
Prepare product by identifying and pulling correct product for delivery to plant floor.
Prepare receiving reports.
Prepare reports on material usage, inventory levels, and discrepancies.
Prepare work by gathering sorting and proofing documents.
Prioritize
Prioritize QN task completion based on age of QNs, production / engineering.
Process
Process information for damaged freight claims, packages, labels.
Process work accurately to avoid delays in schedules, resulting in lost time.
Provide
Provide accurate count and verify identification of parts received, placed in storage, and issued.
Provide accurate documentation of all department transactions.
Provide assistance to QN evaluators to locate the QNs for which they have.
Provide assistance to QN evaluators to locate the QNs for which they have responsibility.
Provide basic assistance and direction to lower level employees if requested by management.
Provide materials handling support for non-production activities.
Pull
Pull parts from stock to build kits assigned to Production Control.
Pull malfunctioning equipment out of service immediately.
Quantify
Quantify and verify cycle count.
Read
Read and understand instructions and materials as required.
Read orders to understand with accuracy catalog numbers, sizes, colors and quantities of merchandise.
Receive
Receive all items using the proper equipment and receiving procedures.
Receive and issues parts / components to / from the manufacturing operation.
Receive and place parts / components into stock from Receiving / Inspection.
Receive and process warehouse stock products (pick, unload, label, store).
Receive Incoming materials and logs all deliveries in the daily receiving log.
Receive incoming shipments and verify their contents.
Receive materials and log on Excel sheet and ERP.
Receive, store, issue, and control inventory within the warehouse / production area.
Receive, unload and process incoming shipments / trucks.
Receive, verify sort and store inbound material.
Record
Record the number of units handled and moved every day using production sheets.
Reduce
Reduce 3 habitual customer service issues per month.
Remove
Remove trash and cardboard from warehouse 2-3 time per day.
Report
Report any item shortage to Manager of Distribution or Supervisor Materials Handling.
Respond
Respond to adhoc requests ensuring the items is removed from stock.
Respond to requests to remove items from stock.
Retrieve
Retrieve requested materials from inventory for distribution.
Retrieve the raw material batch, which has been reserved from storage room.
Return
Return all products to Storeroom with the proper paperwork and signatures.
Review
Review drawings and specifications related to materials as needed for verification purposes.
Sort
Sort and categorize materials based on their specifications.
Stack
Stack product in truck box and / or trailer manually.
Store
Store cargo in assigned locations using cargo boards and pallets.
Support
Support and Manage no- conformance Inventory in Production Support Data Base System.
Support inventory verification of cycle and physical counts.
Support operations by moving material and inventory throughout the facility.
Support shipping and receiving activities.
Take
Take actions to ensure ongoing system's effectiveness.
Take action to solve problems.
Track
Track supply levels and regularly submit purchasing recommendations.
Track timelines and resources for operational processes (daily, weekly, monthly).
Train
Train and mentor new materials handling staff.
Transact
Transact all materials in ERP system leaving the stockroom.
Transport
Transport material within the facility.
Transport items to appropriate area a pond receipt.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to materials or inventory.
Understand
Understand and complies with all safety and company policies and procedures.
Understand the fundamentals of Lean Manufacturing, Kanban and cycle counting.
Unload
Unload and unpack materials from trucks or containers.
Unload items from machines and place on assembly stands.
Unload trucks, counts units unloaded and moves materials to storage area.
Update
Update inventory records to reflect incoming and outgoing materials.
Use
Use hand trucks, conveyors or other material handling equipment.
Use material handling equipment in a safe manner.
Use PC based ERP systems with attention to detain and a high level of data accuracy.
Use required safety equipment and observes work procedures.
Utilize
Utilize computer systems for all tracking systems as necessary for the operations.
Verify
Verify and inspects incoming materials and supplies for proper quantities and defects.
Verify identification, apply material ID labels, and ensure correct storage of all materials.
Verify identification of parts by reviewing related paperwork.
Verify materials requirements on Bills of Material (BOM).
Verify orders, label products and use a handheld scanner.
Work
Work at the end of the kitting line, building pallets.
Work closely to monitor supply levels and submit purchasing recommendations on a regular basis.
Work in and out of - 20 walk in Freezers 4-6 hours per day.
Work in a safe and responsible manner and complies with all Health & Safety policies.
Work in a safe manner that protects you and your team members.
Work independently and as a team member.
Work in other departments within the warehouse when needed.
Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean and in order) and Technical Practices.
Work with a team to complete production goals.
Work with planning to prioritize orders to meet on time deliveries.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Materials Handler:
Proficiency in operating forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment.
Knowledge of inventory management systems and software.
Ability to read and interpret technical documents, such as invoices and packing lists.
Familiarity with different types of materials and their handling requirements.
Understanding of safety protocols and regulations related to material handling.
Experience with order picking, packing, and shipping procedures.
Strong mathematical skills for inventory calculations and stock reconciliation.
Basic knowledge of mechanical systems for troubleshooting equipment issues.
Proficiency in using barcode scanners and other tracking technologies.
Physical stamina and ability to lift heavy objects safely.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Materials Handler:
Attention to detail and accuracy in handling materials and maintaining records.
Strong organizational skills for efficient storage and retrieval of materials.
Excellent communication skills for collaborating with colleagues and vendors.
Time management abilities to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
Problem-solving skills to address issues in material flow and inventory management.
Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.
Teamwork and collaboration to coordinate with different departments.
Customer service orientation when interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
Self-motivation and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Commitment to safety protocols and maintaining a secure work environment.
Conclusion
Materials Handlers play a crucial role in managing materials within an organization, ensuring the availability of resources and the efficiency of operations. By understanding their main responsibilities and acquiring the required hard and soft skills, professionals in this field can excel in their roles and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.
