What’s a Material Handler & What Do They Do in Warehouses?

Every warehouse and distribution center employs material handlers. They’re the ones who keep things moving, ensure products are delivered on time, and make sure the supply chain stays intact.

Whether you’re a warehouse owner or an aspiring material handler, it’s important to understand the role and responsibilities of this position. With that, let’s explore what a material handler is and what they do in warehouses.

What Is a Material Handler?

A material handler is a warehouse employee responsible for moving, storing, and organizing products. They use equipment like forklifts, pallet jacks, and conveyor belts to transport goods. Their main goal is to facilitate the movement of products throughout the warehouse so their coworkers can efficiently pick, pack, and ship orders.

What Do Material Handlers Do?

Material handlers have several responsibilities that require skill, attention to detail, and physical ability. As mentioned, they load and unload shipments, often using forklifts or pallet jacks. They also organize the items on pallet racks, which play an important role in warehouse material handling. Material handlers use these racks to store and organize products in a way that maximizes space and makes it easier for coworkers to find and retrieve items. This requires organizational skills, spatial awareness, and the ability to follow inventory management systems.

Material handlers also monitor inventory levels and report any shortages or damages. They may be responsible for conducting regular stock checks to ensure accuracy in the warehouse’s inventory records.

In addition to physical tasks, material handlers often use computer systems to track incoming and outgoing shipments, update inventory records, and communicate with other departments. This requires proficiency in technology and the ability to multitask efficiently.

Why Are Material Handlers Important?

Material handlers are more than just movers in a warehouse—they’re the glue that holds warehouse operations together. Without them, warehouses would have trouble maintaining efficient workflows and meeting customer demands.

Material handlers keep the supply chain running smoothly by receiving, storing, and shipping products correctly. This ensures customers receive their orders on time and in good condition. Without the careful handling and organizational skills of material handlers, warehouses would risk losing inventory, misplacing orders, and missing deadlines. And in today’s competitive market, these mistakes could have serious consequences for a business.

So, what’s a material handler, and what do they do in warehouses? Simply put, they move product. While the job sounds straightforward, material handlers complete many tasks that are crucial to the operations of any warehouse or distribution center. Their hard work behind the scenes leads to efficient and timely deliveries for customers, which builds a positive reputation and ensures continued success for the company.