Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Cargo Handler

🎯 Role Definition

The Cargo Handler is a hands-on logistics professional responsible for the safe, accurate, and timely loading, unloading, sorting, staging, and documentation of freight and baggage across air, ground, and intermodal facilities. Cargo Handlers operate material handling equipment, maintain cargo manifests, follow TSA/FAA/OSHA and carrier-specific safety regulations, and coordinate with dispatchers, drivers, and freight forwarders to ensure on-time departures and deliveries. This role emphasizes physical stamina, attention to detail, effective communication, and strict adherence to safety and security protocols.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate or Material Handler transitioning into logistics operations.
Baggage Porter or Ramp Agent seeking airport cargo experience.
Entry-level Freight or Dock Worker with basic equipment training.

Advancement To:

Lead Cargo Handler / Lead Ramp Agent
Shift Supervisor or Dock Supervisor
Logistics Coordinator or Freight Operations Specialist
Safety or Compliance Inspector
Operations Manager or Terminal Manager

Lateral Moves:

Inventory Control Specialist
Forklift or Equipment Trainer
Freight Forwarding Coordinator
Shipping & Receiving Clerk

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely load and unload cargo, baggage, pallets, and containers from trucks, trailers, and aircraft using pallet jacks, forklifts, dollies, and conveyor systems while following weight distribution and securement procedures to protect goods and equipment.
Inspect incoming and outgoing shipments for signs of damage, shortage, or contamination, document discrepancies on manifests and electronic systems, and immediately notify supervisors and carriers of irregularities.
Operate motorized material handling equipment (forklifts, high-reach forklifts, belt loaders, container loaders) in compliance with equipment safety protocols and site-specific certifications, ensuring pre- and post-operation checks are completed.
Stage and sequence freight according to shipping schedules and carrier load plans, optimizing load order for safe transport and efficient unloading at destination points.
Verify shipment contents against bills of lading, airway bills, manifests, and electronic shipment records using handheld scanners, barcode readers, and warehouse management systems (WMS) to maintain 100% manifest accuracy.
Secure, brace, and block cargo in vehicles and aircraft using straps, nets, shoring beams, and other load restraint systems to prevent movement and damage during transit.
Follow hazardous materials (HAZMAT/ADR/DG) acceptance and handling procedures when applicable, ensuring proper segregation, labeling, and documentation according to regulatory and carrier requirements.
Conduct routine cargo inspections for proper labeling, packaging integrity, and compliance with special handling instructions (fragile, perishables, live animals, temperature-sensitive goods).
Complete required documentation for each shipment, including waybills, customs documentation, damage reports, and chain-of-custody logs, and upload or transmit records into the company’s transportation management system (TMS) or EDI portal.
Collaborate with dispatchers, flight crews, drivers, and customer service teams to coordinate arrival and departure times, resolve load sequencing issues, and communicate special handling needs and delays.
Perform load balancing and weight distribution calculations to comply with aircraft or vehicle weight and balance requirements and to ensure safe vehicle handling.
Participate in inbound and outbound cycle counts, inventory audits, and reconciliation of stock discrepancies, reporting variances and assisting with root-cause investigations.
Prepare cargo for export and international shipment by following customs and export control documentation processes, coordinating with freight forwarders, and ensuring compliance with destination regulations.
Assist in cross-dock and transload operations by moving freight directly from inbound to outbound carriers, minimizing dwell time and improving throughput.
Maintain clean, organized work areas, ensuring aisles, ramps, and loading docks are free of obstructions and spill hazards to support safe workflow and regulatory compliance.
Report and document all workplace incidents, near-misses, equipment defects, and unsafe conditions immediately, participating in safety investigations and corrective action plans.
Pack, palletize, shrink-wrap, and label shipments to protection and shipping standards, using appropriate dunnage and cushioning for fragile or irregularly shaped items.
Support time-sensitive and priority shipments by coordinating expedited handling, working variable shifts, and participating in on-call rotations when needed to meet customer SLA commitments.
Train and mentor new cargo handlers on site-specific procedures, equipment operation, and safety best practices, contributing to consistent operational standards and reduced error rates.
Adhere to TSA/FAA security protocols at airports, including identity verification, access control, chain-of-custody procedures, and screening requirements for restricted shipments.
Use electronic tracking tools and status update systems to provide customers and internal stakeholders with real-time shipment status, ETA adjustments, and exception notifications.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, Kaizen events, and operational reviews to increase productivity, reduce damage rates, and optimize dock-to-door cycle times.
Assist with light maintenance of handling equipment and report maintenance needs to facilities or maintenance teams to minimize downtime and maximize equipment reliability.
Support seasonal surges, peak periods, and special projects by adjusting workload priorities, implementing temporary process changes, and working collaboratively across teams to maintain throughput.

Secondary Functions

Help maintain and file shipping records, invoices, and customs paperwork to ensure complete historical documentation and audit readiness.
Support customer service by responding to basic shipment inquiries and routing more complex questions to logistics coordinators or account managers.
Participate in site safety committees, toolbox talks, and training refreshers to promote a culture of safety and compliance.
Contribute to process documentation updates and standard operating procedure (SOP) improvements based on frontline observations and operational metrics.
Assist in the testing, rollout, and user feedback for new handheld scanners, WMS modules, or dock automation technologies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Forklift (PTO/Counterbalance), Reach Truck, and/or High-Reach certification and proven safe operation experience.
Proficiency with handheld barcode scanners, RF devices, and mobile computers for scanning and inventory control.
Experience using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), or other logistics software; familiarity with EDI is a plus.
Strong knowledge of cargo securement techniques (strapping, netting, dunnage) and load distribution principles for trucks and aircraft.
Understanding of hazardous materials (HAZMAT/DG) handling requirements, labeling, and documentation for transport compliance.
Basic knowledge of customs, export documentation, airway bills, bills of lading, and associated freight paperwork.
Ability to read and interpret load plans, manifests, and shipping instructions accurately.
Competency in performing manual lifting and material movement safely, including use of pallet jacks, hand trucks, and dollies.
Experience with shrink-wrapping, palletizing, and bundling techniques to prepare freight for transit.
Familiarity with TSA/FAA security regulations (for airport cargo roles) and site security/access control procedures.
Basic mechanical aptitude for routine equipment inspections and reporting maintenance needs.
Familiarity with inventory cycle counts, stock reconciliation, and reporting of variances in WMS.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and high accuracy in documentation and shipment verification to reduce errors and claims.
Excellent physical stamina and the ability to perform repetitive tasks, lift heavy loads (frequently up to 50 lbs and occasionally higher with assistance), and work in variable indoor/outdoor conditions.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for coordination with pilots, drivers, dispatchers, and cross-functional teams.
Team-oriented mindset with the flexibility to support different shifts, overtime, and urgent operational demands.
Problem-solving ability to identify causes of discrepancies, suggest corrective actions, and escalate issues appropriately.
Time management and prioritization skills to meet tight schedules, deadlines, and continuous workflow demands.
Reliability and punctuality; consistent attendance is critical for shift coverage and operational continuity.
Customer-service orientation when interfacing with carriers, vendor representatives, and internal stakeholders.
Adaptability to fast-paced, changing environments with an emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance.
Coaching and mentoring skills to onboard new hires and promote consistent procedures across the team.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Aviation Operations, or related technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Aviation Maintenance and Operations
Occupational Safety and Health
Transportation and Distribution

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years for entry-level cargo handler positions; many roles accept new entrants with related equipment training or ramp experience.

Preferred:

1–3+ years of direct cargo handling, warehouse, or ramp operations experience with demonstrated equipment certifications (forklift, reach truck) and familiarity with WMS/TMS systems.
Prior exposure to airport ramp procedures, TSA/FAA compliance, or hazardous materials handling is highly desirable for specialized cargo roles.