Material Handler Lead

About the role

The Material Handler Lead oversees and helps move materials safely between departments. They lead the material handling team, manage workflow, enforce safety and quality standards, and support inventory control. This role acts as the liaison between Material Handlers and department supervisors, setting the example for efficiency, professionalism, and safe forklift use.

Accountabilities

• Lead and supervise daily operations of the material handling team to ensure timely and accurate support for production needs.
• Collaborating with department leads to prioritize material movement in alignment with production schedules.
• Conduct daily safety briefings and enforce compliance with all safety protocols and procedures.
• Train, mentor, and onboard new and existing Material Handlers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Monitor team performance, deliver feedback, and support management in evaluations and hiring decisions.
• Develop and optimize warehouse and yard layout strategies to improve material flow, space utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Conduct routine audits of material handling processes to ensure accuracy, safety, and adherence to best practices.
• Serve as the primary liaison for interdepartmental communication regarding inventory, materials, and internal logistics.
• Coordinate shift coverage and assist in workforce planning to meet fluctuating production demands.
• Support inventory control by accurately receiving, identifying, labeling, storing, and distributing materials.
• Safely operate material handling equipment (e.g., forklifts), perform daily inspections, and maintain operational readiness.
• Inspect incoming materials for damage or defects and report discrepancies promptly.
• Maintain organized, clean, and compliant work areas in accordance with safety and operational standards.
• Read work orders or follow verbal instructions to determine material and equipment requirements.
• Assist with internal transfers, inbound and outbound logistics, and shipping/receiving activities.
• Actively participate in team meetings and contribute to process improvement and efficiency initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as required to support team success and operational goals.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in manufacturing, construction, or related industrial environment preferred.
• Prior leadership or team lead experience preferred.
• Valid forklift certification required.
• Exceptional organizational skills with strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example in a fast-paced, heavy manufacturing setting.
• Proven track record of consistent attendance and workplace reliability.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply blueprints and technical documents.
• Capable of lifting equipment and tools up to 50 pounds and pushing/pulling loads up to 100 pounds.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills to effectively manage and motivate teams.
• Proven ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable working in diverse indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
• Commitment to strict adherence to safety protocols and fostering a culture of safety and compliance.
• Must successfully pass background check and drug screening.

Additional Information

A Note to our Recruitment Partners: We really appreciate the interest, but MCG currently manages hiring through our internal team. We love getting to know our candidates directly! Because of this, we don't accept unsolicited resumes from agencies at this time. If we ever need an extra hand, we'll be sure to reach out to the community. Thanks for understanding!