MATERIAL HANDLER

Job Title: Material Handler
Location: Polkton, NC
Department: Production / Material Handling
Reports To: Production Supervisor / Department Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

The Material Handler is responsible for safely moving, organizing, staging, and delivering raw materials, components, and finished products throughout the manufacturing facility at Southern Fabricators. This position involves operating material-handling equipment, supporting production work centers, maintaining accurate material identification, and ensuring materials are delivered to the correct locations in a timely and efficient manner. The Material Handler works closely with Production, Shipping, Receiving, Quality, and other departments to support efficient material flow and maintain daily manufacturing operations.

This role requires strong attention to detail, physical capability, safety awareness, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. By maintaining organized material storage areas, following safe handling procedures, and ensuring production employees have the necessary materials to complete assigned work, the Material Handler plays an essential role in minimizing production delays, improving operational efficiency, and contributing to the continued success of Southern Fabricators.

Responsibilities

• Safely transport raw materials, fabricated parts, components, and finished products throughout the manufacturing facility.

• Deliver materials to designated production work centers according to work orders, production schedules, and departmental requirements.

• Load, unload, stage, and organize materials in designated storage areas, production locations, and shipping areas.

• Operate forklifts and other approved material-handling equipment in accordance with company safety procedures and certification requirements.

• Operate overhead cranes and lifting equipment as required after completing company-approved training and certification.

• Verify material quantities, part numbers, descriptions, and storage locations before transporting or distributing materials.

• Maintain accurate material identification, labeling, and organization to prevent errors and misplaced inventory.

• Support production employees by ensuring work centers receive the correct materials, parts, and supplies needed to complete assigned jobs.

• Assist with organizing inventory, maintaining storage locations, and supporting material tracking activities.

• Identify damaged, incorrect, missing, or questionable materials and report concerns to supervisors or appropriate departments.

• Perform required pre-operation inspections of forklifts, overhead cranes, and other material-handling equipment.

• Report equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, and maintenance concerns to the appropriate supervisor.

• Follow proper procedures for handling large, heavy, sharp, or irregularly shaped materials to prevent injury and product damage.

• Secure materials appropriately during lifting, movement, staging, and transportation throughout the facility.

• Maintain clear aisles, walkways, work areas, and designated material storage locations.

• Follow established procedures for material handling, inventory control, and production support.

• Communicate material shortages, incorrect materials, damaged products, and urgent production needs to supervisors and other departments.

• Support inventory counts, material verification, and other inventory control activities when assigned.

• Use work orders, material labels, production documentation, and company systems to verify material requirements and destinations.

• Prioritize material movement tasks based on production schedules, work center needs, and supervisor instructions.

• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work environment by following established housekeeping procedures.

• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all company safety policies and procedures.

• Maintain consistent attendance, productivity, and effective communication while supporting manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

• Previous experience in material handling, warehouse operations, shipping and receiving, or manufacturing preferred.

• Forklift operating experience preferred; ability to complete company-required forklift training and certification.

• Overhead crane experience preferred; willingness and ability to complete required crane training and certification.

• Ability to safely handle, move, and organize materials in an active manufacturing environment.

• Ability to read and understand basic work orders, part numbers, material labels, and production documentation.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to verify material quantities, identification, and locations.

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions accurately and consistently.

• Strong safety awareness and commitment to following established material-handling procedures.

• Ability to operate material-handling equipment safely and responsibly after completing required training.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain orderly material storage and staging areas.

• Good verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate effectively with supervisors and production personnel.

• Ability to prioritize material movement tasks and adjust to changing production requirements.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented manufacturing environment.

• Comfortable working around welding operations, fabrication equipment, forklifts, overhead cranes, and moving machinery.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the work shift.

• Physical ability to bend, reach, push, pull, climb, and perform repetitive material-handling activities.

• Ability to safely enter and exit forklifts and operate approved material-handling equipment.

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment that may involve noise, heat, moving equipment, and varying temperatures.

• Ability to lift up to 100 lbs.

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all workplace safety procedures.

• Strong work ethic, dependable attendance, and commitment to safety, quality, and productivity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a metal fabrication or industrial manufacturing environment.

• Previous forklift certification or demonstrated experience operating industrial lift trucks.

• Experience operating overhead cranes and other material-handling equipment.

• Familiarity with manufacturing work orders, material identification, and production flow.

• Experience loading, unloading, staging, and transporting large or heavy metal components.

• Knowledge of safe lifting practices, load securing procedures, and industrial material-handling safety.

• Experience with warehouse organization, inventory counts, and material tracking systems.

• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems or inventory management software.

• Experience coordinating material movement between production, shipping, receiving, and inventory departments.

• Knowledge of basic quality standards and proper handling procedures to prevent damage to manufactured products.

Key Skills

Strong safety awareness, attention to detail, and organizational skills are essential for safely transporting and managing materials throughout manufacturing operations. The ability to operate forklifts, overhead cranes, and other approved material-handling equipment ensures materials are moved efficiently while protecting employees, equipment, and products. Knowledge of work orders, material identification, inventory organization, and production flow helps maintain accurate material placement and reduces manufacturing delays. Effective communication, time management, and teamwork support coordination between Production, Shipping, Receiving, Quality, and other departments. These skills contribute to efficient material movement, organized work areas, improved production performance, and the continued success of Southern Fabricators.

Additional Note

This position is not limited to the duties listed above. The Production Supervisor or Department Manager may assign additional responsibilities as needed to support material handling, inventory organization, production operations, and organizational requirements.