Warehouse logistics are a multi-step process involving suppliers, managers, and even customers. One of the pillars of the process is the warehouse material handlers, the professionals who move goods safely and efficiently throughout the fulfillment workflow. From item storage to order distribution, warehouse material handlers must be able to understand the layout of their environment, train and certify in relevant machinery handling techniques, and utilize on-site technology to make sure daily operations run smoothly.
This article goes into detail about the role of warehouse material handlers, including their skills and responsibilities, to help managers and owners better understand and define the value they bring to their operations to hire the right talent for the job.
What is a Warehouse Material Handler?
A material handler “handles, moves and stores various non-hazardous and hazardous materials within a warehouse,” according to Indeed. This is a broad description that encompasses many more specific duties, including:
- Receiving new inventory, including checking the accuracy of shipments, unloading inventory, and verifying the correct shipment and order documents
- Storing inventory in the right location, which often requires the use of heavy machinery and equipment, including forklifts, conveyors, and pallet jacks
- Picking and packing shipment orders, including retrieving shipment items, verifying order accuracy, and arranging efficient fulfillment
- Maintaining inventory, including using on-site inventory management software to record or automate restocks, perform cycle counts, and mitigate the impact of inventory errors
- Cleaning the warehouse by following on-site safety protocols, including reporting hazards to the correct people
Warehouses must maintain safe and efficient fulfillment workflows 24/7. Material handlers serve as the essential safety nets protecting business assets, customer and client relations, and employee performance around the clock, not just during periods of peak demand.
Skills Needed to Be a Successful Material Handler
Since warehouse material handlers are so significant to successful operations, they need to be hired for certain skills that demonstrate both hard and soft proficiencies. Here are a few of the core factors to look for when choosing a material handler:
- Communication Skills: Despite the job title, a material handler’s job largely consists of coordination between supervisors, machine operators, delivery drivers, packers, coworkers, and more. Handlers are on the front lines making sure fulfillment goes smoothly.
- Technical Knowledge: Material handlers may work with physical materials, but in a modern warehouse setting, their core responsibilities require technological proficiency. They may need to operate forklifts and pallet jacks, use inventory scanners, operate communication systems, manage conveyors and robot-operated pickers, and use manual or automated warehouse ordering and inventory management programs.
- Attention to Detail: Material handling is a very detail-oriented job. Despite the advancement of scanning and ordering technology, human skill may still be required to verify product codes, quantities, labels, and packing quantities, depending on the technology infrastructure in the warehouse. Managing safety protocols, warehouse conditions, and fulfillment processes requires constant attention to detail.
- Adaptability: Priorities can change quickly, as can operating conditions, so material handlers need to be able to think on their feet to avoid disruptions or mitigate the downtime of unavoidable problems.
- Problem-solving: Inventory can go missing, staff can be short, discrepancies can arise in shipping quantities, or customer complaints can slow down operations. Material handlers must be able to solve these and other logistical challenges.
One commonly asked question is whether material handlers should be hired for pre-existing certifications, such as forklift operation. While these can indicate past proficiencies, OSHA certification for handling hazardous materials must be obtained or renewed by the employer, not the individual handlers. The handlers will then be given new training for their specific tasks and hazards, regardless of their past experience. This means that the character attributes and soft skills listed can be a more significant predictor of success for new material handlers than previous certification.
Other Career Pathways for Material Handlers
Warehouse material handling is a difficult position, but it is also considered entry level, with Indeed reporting $19/hr as a common starting salary. This means that many handlers take the position with the intention of advancing to higher-level positions, such as:
- Warehouse Supervisor
- Team Training Specialist
- Inventory Control Specialist
- Forklift Operator
- Logistics Coordinator
- Lead Material Handler
- Retail Manager
- Supply Chain Analyst
- E-commerce Fulfillment Manager
The potential to rise to these positions increases the job security of warehouse material handling and makes hiring qualified people for the position more of a long-term success strategy for both the business and individual.
Recruit Qualified Material Handlers With Rapid-Response Warehouse Workforce Solutions
For over 35 years, NVT Staffing Warehouse Division has provided warehouse supervisors and owners with qualified, rapid-response material handlers that deliver the skills and experience they need to maintain an accurate, efficient, and safe fulfillment process. By using on-call material handlers, businesses can skip complex hiring processes in favor of a flexible, hands-on partnership with a qualified labor supplier. Experience the NVT difference with our technology-driven platform, including geo-tracking check-ins, automated shift logs, online property manuals, and skill-matched personnel. Manage assignments, training, and payments easily through the NVT App or web portal for seamless, real-time control.
Contact our experienced team today to learn more about our commitment to providing certified professionals to warehouse operations like yours.