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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Inventory Material Handler

💰 $ - $

LogisticsWarehouseInventory ManagementSupply Chain

🎯 Role Definition

An Inventory Material Handler is responsible for receiving, storing, moving and tracking inventory within a warehouse or distribution center. This role ensures inventory accuracy through cycle counts and reconciliations, supports shipping and receiving operations, operates material handling equipment (e.g., forklifts, pallet jacks), and enforces safety and quality standards. The Inventory Material Handler works closely with warehouse supervisors, inventory control teams, and logistics partners to maintain efficient flow of goods and accurate inventory records.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / Picker / Packer
  • Receiving Clerk or Shipping Clerk
  • General Laborer with logistics exposure

Advancement To:

  • Inventory Control Specialist / Analyst
  • Lead Material Handler or Shipping & Receiving Lead
  • Warehouse Supervisor / Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Forklift Operator / Heavy Equipment Operator
  • Quality Control Inspector (Warehouse)
  • Logistics Coordinator / Transportation Dispatcher

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive, inspect, and verify incoming shipments against purchase orders, packing lists, and manifests, documenting discrepancies and initiating supplier or carrier claims when necessary.
  • Accurately unload and stage inbound freight using appropriate material handling equipment (forklift, pallet jack, hand truck) while adhering to company safety protocols and OSHA guidelines.
  • Perform daily cycle counts and periodic physical inventory counts, reconcile variances, investigate root causes, and update the inventory management system or WMS to maintain 99%+ inventory accuracy.
  • Pick and pack customer and internal orders following pick lists, packing instructions, and quality standards; prepare associated shipping documentation and label packages for carrier pickup.
  • Operate RF barcode scanners, handheld computers, and warehouse management systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Manhattan, JDA) to record receipts, moves, transfers, and shipments in real time.
  • Stage and organize product for outbound shipments, verifying quantities, SKU numbers, and carton conditions; consolidate pallets and prepare bills of lading for carriers.
  • Execute inventory transfers between warehouse locations, bin-to-bin moves, and replenishment tasks to ensure optimal pick-face availability and minimize stockouts.
  • Cycle count exceptions management: isolate suspect inventory, perform recounts, document findings, and coordinate adjustments or root-cause remediation with inventory control or procurement teams.
  • Maintain accurate lot, serial number, and expiration date tracking for regulated or perishable products; rotate stock using FIFO/FEFO principles to reduce obsolescence and waste.
  • Load and unload delivery vehicles for inbound/outbound shipments, secure loads to prevent transit damage, and verify carrier paperwork for weight, count, and condition.
  • Conduct routine inspections of storage racks, pallets, and packaging for damage; report unsafe conditions and participate in corrective action plans to maintain a safe warehouse environment.
  • Follow established hazardous materials (HazMat) handling procedures when applicable, including proper segregation, labeling, and disposal in compliance with DOT and company policies.
  • Prepare and stage materials for production or assembly lines, delivering components to workstations in sequence to support uninterrupted manufacturing throughput.
  • Update and maintain physical and electronic bin locations; create and reconcile new storage locations in the WMS to improve warehouse layout and space utilization.
  • Assist in the implementation of process improvements and continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen) to increase throughput, reduce touchpoints, and lower operating costs.
  • Complete daily paperwork accurately—receiving logs, shipping manifests, inventory adjustment forms—and escalate discrepancies to supervisors in a timely manner.
  • Support returns processing and disposition, including inspecting returned goods, restocking salable items, initiating vendor returns, and documenting non-conforming material.
  • Execute light cleaning, sweeping, and housekeeping tasks to keep work areas open, organized, and compliant with safety and fire codes.
  • Coordinate with carriers, drivers, and internal dispatch to schedule inbound and outbound appointments and ensure on-time shipping performance.
  • Maintain productivity and quality targets defined by the warehouse KPI framework (on-time shipping, picks per hour, error rate, inventory accuracy).
  • Participate in onboarding and training of new material handlers, sharing best practices for safe operation of equipment and accurate inventory handling.
  • Use basic Excel and ERP reporting to pull inventory reports, support audits, and prepare simple reconciliations for management review.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc inventory and logistics projects such as bin reorganization, high-value SKU audits, and cycle count blitzes to prepare for peak seasons.
  • Contribute to standard operating procedure (SOP) updates by providing frontline feedback on practical workflows and potential safety or quality gaps.
  • Assist the inventory control team with root-cause analysis for persistent variances and help implement corrective actions at the operational level.
  • Coordinate cross-functional transfers and special shipments (e.g., kitting, vendor returns, quarantine) ensuring all movements are authorized and properly documented.
  • Train and mentor temporary staff and seasonal workers on safe handling practices, scanning protocols, and company quality standards.
  • Help integrate new WMS features or handheld devices by participating in user acceptance testing and providing real-world scenario feedback.
  • Participate in safety stand-downs, toolbox talks, and continuous improvement meetings; report near-misses and contribute to incident prevention strategies.
  • Provide coverage for related warehouse functions during peak times, including basic shipping documentation, labeling, or simple packaging tasks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Forklift operation and certification (counterbalance, sit-down, reach, or narrow aisle) with demonstrated safe operating record.
  • Proficient use of warehouse management systems (WMS) and RF handheld scanners to transact receipts, transfers, picks, and shipments.
  • Inventory control techniques: cycle counting, physical inventory, variance reconciliation, lot/serial tracking, and FIFO/FEFO rotation.
  • Proficiency with ERP modules and common systems (SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Manhattan, JDA, or equivalent) for inventory transactions.
  • Strong barcode scanning knowledge and experience with label printing (Zebra printers) and carton/barcode quality checks.
  • Basic Microsoft Excel skills: VLOOKUP, filtering, sorting, pivot tables or ability to export WMS reports for reconciliation.
  • Knowledge of shipping/receiving documentation: bills of lading, packing lists, commercial invoices, and carrier paperwork (LTL, TL).
  • Familiarity with safety standards (OSHA) and warehouse ergonomics, including proper lifting techniques and pallet load securement.
  • Experience handling regulated goods or HazMat procedures (if applicable) with proper DOT labeling and segregation practices.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude for minor equipment checks, pallet repair, and use of hand tools.
  • Time management and productivity tools for meeting KPIs: picks per hour, accuracy rate, and on-time shipments.
  • Ability to read and interpret SKU, lot, and serial number data and maintain accurate records for audits.

Soft Skills

  • High attention to detail and accuracy, especially when counting, scanning, and entering inventory data.
  • Strong communication skills to coordinate with team members, supervisors, carriers, and cross-functional partners.
  • Dependability and punctuality with a strong work ethic in fast-paced warehouse environments.
  • Problem-solving mindset to troubleshoot inventory discrepancies and suggest practical improvements.
  • Team player who collaborates across shifts and departments to meet operational goals and deadlines.
  • Adaptability and flexibility to support changing priorities, seasonal peaks, and ad-hoc projects.
  • Organizational skills to manage staging areas, prioritize tasks, and maintain clean, accessible storage locations.
  • Safety-first attitude with willingness to proactively report hazards and follow established protocols.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree, technical certificate, or vocational training in Logistics, Supply Chain, or Industrial Technology preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics and Transportation
  • Industrial Technology
  • Business Administration (operations focus)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of warehouse or material handling experience; many openings request 1–3 years for entry-level material handler roles and 3+ years for specialized inventory control roles.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years of experience operating forklifts and working with WMS/ERP systems, demonstrated history of accurate cycle counting, and familiarity with shipping/receiving processes.
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