A material handler keeps goods moving. Material handlers load and unload trucks, move and store products, check shipments and keep records accurate so customers get the right items on time.
Below are 6 sample material handler job descriptions you can adapt, whether you are writing a posting or learning what employers expect. Replace each [bracket] with your own details.
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6 Material Handler Job Description Samples
Quick jump: GeneralEntry levelForkliftShipping and receivingManufacturingInventory control
General Material Handler
Summary: [Company] seeks a reliable material handler to move, store and organize products so orders go out on time and accurately.
Duties
- Load and unload trucks and containers safely and accurately
- Move materials with pallet jacks and hand trucks
- Keep materials stored in the correct locations and easy to find
- Keep the work area clean and organized
- Work with the team to meet daily goals
- Follow safety rules and wear required PPE
Requirements
- Ability to follow instructions and safety procedures
- Basic math and attention to detail
- Ability to lift up to [number] pounds with proper technique
- Ability to stand and walk for a full shift
Preferred
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Prior warehouse or material handling experience
Physical demands
- Lift, carry and move materials up to [number] pounds
- Stand and walk for most of the shift
Schedule and work environment
- [Warehouse or storage facility]
- Full-time or part-time, with varying shifts
What we offer
- Hourly pay of [rate] plus [shift differentials]
- Paid training and a clear path to advance
- [Health, retirement and paid time off]
Entry-Level Material Handler
Summary: [Company] seeks a motivated, safety-focused worker to start a career in logistics. No experience is required, and we pair every new hire with a trainer.
Duties
- Load and unload trucks and containers safely and accurately
- Move materials with pallet jacks and hand trucks
- Learn warehouse systems and scanning with a trainer
- Help pack, wrap and stage orders
- Ask questions and follow safety instructions
- Follow safety rules and wear required PPE
Requirements
- Ability to follow instructions and safety procedures
- Basic math and attention to detail
- Ability to lift up to [number] pounds with proper technique
- Ability to stand and walk for a full shift
Preferred
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Prior warehouse or material handling experience
Physical demands
- Lift, carry and move materials up to [number] pounds
- Stand and walk for most of the shift
Schedule and work environment
- [Distribution center]
- Day or evening shifts, paid training
What we offer
- Hourly pay of [rate] plus [shift differentials]
- Paid training and a clear path to advance
- [Health, retirement and paid time off]
Forklift Material Handler
Summary: [Company] seeks a certified material handler to move pallets safely with powered equipment. Operators are trained and evaluated as required by OSHA.
Duties
- Load and unload trucks and containers safely and accurately
- Move materials with pallet jacks and hand trucks
- Operate forklifts only after training, evaluation and certification
- Inspect your equipment before every shift and report problems
- Stack, rack and retrieve pallets accurately
- Follow safety rules and wear required PPE
Requirements
- Ability to follow instructions and safety procedures
- Basic math and attention to detail
- Ability to lift up to [number] pounds with proper technique
- Ability to stand and walk for a full shift
Preferred
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Prior warehouse or material handling experience
Physical demands
- Lift, carry and move materials up to [number] pounds
- Stand and walk for most of the shift
Schedule and work environment
- [Warehouse with racking]
- Forklift certification or training provided
What we offer
- Hourly pay of [rate] plus [shift differentials]
- Paid training and a clear path to advance
- [Health, retirement and paid time off]
Shipping and Receiving Material Handler
Summary: [Company] seeks a detail-oriented handler to check incoming shipments and prepare outgoing orders.
Duties
- Load and unload trucks and containers safely and accurately
- Move materials with pallet jacks and hand trucks
- Check incoming loads against packing lists and note damage
- Scan, label and stage orders for shipping
- Work with drivers and carriers to load trucks
- Follow safety rules and wear required PPE
Requirements
- Ability to follow instructions and safety procedures
- Basic math and attention to detail
- Ability to lift up to [number] pounds with proper technique
- Ability to stand and walk for a full shift
Preferred
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Prior warehouse or material handling experience
Physical demands
- Lift, carry and move materials up to [number] pounds
- Stand and walk for most of the shift
Schedule and work environment
- [Dock area]
- Early mornings and peak-season overtime
What we offer
- Hourly pay of [rate] plus [shift differentials]
- Paid training and a clear path to advance
- [Health, retirement and paid time off]
Manufacturing Material Handler
Summary: [Company] seeks a dependable material handler to keep our production lines supplied with the parts and materials they need.
Duties
- Load and unload trucks and containers safely and accurately
- Move materials with pallet jacks and hand trucks
- Deliver parts and materials to production lines on schedule
- Move finished goods to storage and shipping
- Follow plant safety and quality procedures
- Follow safety rules and wear required PPE
Requirements
- Ability to follow instructions and safety procedures
- Basic math and attention to detail
- Ability to lift up to [number] pounds with proper technique
- Ability to stand and walk for a full shift
Preferred
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Prior warehouse or material handling experience
Physical demands
- Lift, carry and move materials up to [number] pounds
- Stand and walk for most of the shift
Schedule and work environment
- [Manufacturing plant]
- Noise and PPE requirements apply
What we offer
- Hourly pay of [rate] plus [shift differentials]
- Paid training and a clear path to advance
- [Health, retirement and paid time off]
Inventory Control Material Handler
Summary: [Company] seeks a careful handler to support accurate inventory counts and record keeping.
Duties
- Load and unload trucks and containers safely and accurately
- Move materials with pallet jacks and hand trucks
- Perform cycle counts and reconcile differences
- Update inventory records the same shift
- Investigate discrepancies with a supervisor
- Follow safety rules and wear required PPE
Requirements
- Ability to follow instructions and safety procedures
- Basic math and attention to detail
- Ability to lift up to [number] pounds with proper technique
- Ability to stand and walk for a full shift
Preferred
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Prior warehouse or material handling experience
Physical demands
- Lift, carry and move materials up to [number] pounds
- Stand and walk for most of the shift
Schedule and work environment
- [Warehouse or stockroom]
- Regular shifts with scheduled counts
What we offer
- Hourly pay of [rate] plus [shift differentials]
- Paid training and a clear path to advance
- [Health, retirement and paid time off]
Free Material Handler Job Description Builder
Step 1. What is your experience level?
Step 2. Where will the person work?
Step 3. Tap the duties to include. Six fit on one printed page, so choose the ones that matter most.
Step 4. Click any text in the plan and type to make it yours.
Replace every [bracket] with your own details. Keep the duties real and the requirements fair.
Material Handler Job Description
[Your Full Name] | [Company] | [Location] | [How to apply]
Position summary and requirements
Job title: Material Handler (Entry Level). [Company] seeks a reliable, safety-focused material handler to load, unload, move and organize products. No experience is required, and we provide training. Requirements: ability to follow instructions and safety rules; basic math; ability to lift up to [number] pounds with proper technique; ability to stand and walk for a full shift.
Job title: Material Handler. [Company] seeks an experienced material handler to receive, store and move products accurately and safely. Requirements: [number] years of warehouse or material handling experience; accuracy with scanners and inventory systems; forklift certification if the role requires it; strong teamwork.
Job title: Lead Material Handler. [Company] seeks an experienced material handler to guide the team, train new hires and keep inventory and safety standards high. Requirements: [number] or more years of material handling experience; strong communication and leadership; ability to train others.
Work environment
Work environment: warehouse or distribution center. Receive, store and ship up to [number] orders per shift with a team of handlers and supervisors. Schedule: [hours and days].
Work environment: manufacturing plant. Supply materials to production lines and move finished goods to storage. Noise, temperature and PPE: [details]. Schedule: [hours and days].
Work environment: retail distribution. Unload trucks, stage store orders and support peak seasons. Schedule: [shifts and peak season hours].
Key duties
- Loading: Load and unload trucks and containers safely and accurately.
- Moving: Move materials with pallet jacks and hand trucks, and with forklifts only if trained and certified.
- Inspecting: Inspect shipments for damage and report discrepancies to a supervisor.
- Counting: Complete regular stock counts and update inventory records.
- Storage: Store materials in the correct locations so they are easy to find.
- Scanning: Scan and label items and keep records accurate.
- Safety: Follow safety rules, wear required PPE and report hazards right away.
- Cleanliness: Keep work areas, aisles and equipment clean and organized.
- Packing: Pack, wrap and stage orders for shipping.
- Teamwork: Work with the team and supervisors to meet daily goals.
Preferred qualifications
[Forklift certification or prior warehouse experience, if preferred]
Physical demands
Lift, carry and move materials up to [number] pounds using proper technique and equipment, and stand and walk for most of the shift.
Schedule
[Shifts, weekends, overtime and peak seasons]
What we offer
[Hourly pay, shift differentials, benefits and training]
Systems used
[Warehouse management or scanning system]
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Key Responsibilities
| Area | Typical duties |
|---|---|
| Loading | Load and unload trucks |
| Moving | Pallet jacks, hand trucks, forklifts if certified |
| Inspecting | Check for damage and report problems |
| Counting | Stock counts and records |
| Storage | Put items in the right place |
| Safety | PPE, hazards and clean aisles |
Qualifications
- No formal education is typically required. The BLS says employers may prefer a high school diploma.
- Short on-the-job training. Training usually lasts one month or less, and new hires often shadow experienced workers and learn safety rules.
- Forklift training, if the job needs it. OSHA says operators must receive formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation before operating a powered industrial truck, and employers must certify that training.
- Physical ability. State the lifting requirement honestly and explain how workers are trained to lift safely.
Material Handler Skills and Competencies
| Skill | How to show it |
|---|---|
| Equipment operation | Name the equipment and any certification |
| Attention to detail | Give an accuracy rate |
| Physical stamina | State weights and shift lengths |
| Organization | Describe how you keep stock in order |
| Communication | Mention shift handoffs and reports |
| Problem-solving | Describe a damaged-shipment fix |
| Safety awareness | Mention PPE and hazard reports |
| Basic math | Counts, pallets and weights |
| Teamwork | Name the team size |
| Adaptability | Mention new systems you learned |
See how to put these on a resume with our material handler resume summary examples.
Working Conditions
The BLS describes this work as repetitive and physically demanding, with heavy lifting and carrying and awkward positions such as bending and crouching. These occupations have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses across all occupations, with sprains, strains and overexertion common. Most workers are full time, part-time work is common, and schedules may include nights and weekends. Industrial truck operators sometimes work overnight shifts because materials ship around the clock. State the schedule, physical demands and PPE clearly in the posting.
Salary Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports these May 2025 figures. Pay varies by state, employer, shift and experience.
| Pay measure (May 2025) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median, hand laborers and material movers | $38,220 a year |
| Median hourly, same group | $18.38 |
| Median, industrial truck and tractor operators | $46,420 a year |
| Industry (hand laborers and material movers) | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Transportation and warehousing | $44,710 |
| Wholesale trade | $41,600 |
| Manufacturing | $41,370 |
| Administrative and support services | $36,200 |
| Retail trade | $36,090 |
The BLS projects 4 percent employment growth for hand laborers and material movers from 2025 to 2035, from 6,917,800 to 7,206,700 jobs, with about 904,200 openings a year, many from workers who leave the occupation. For industrial truck and tractor operators it projects 1 percent growth.
Career Advancement
- Become a certified forklift or equipment operator.
- Move into inventory control, shipping and receiving or a team lead role.
- Grow into supervisor or logistics coordination roles with experience and training.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Hiding physical demands. State lifting weights and the equipment provided.
- Requiring a certification the job does not need. List forklift duties only if the job includes them.
- Leaving out the schedule. State shifts, overtime and peak seasons.
- Skipping safety. Mention PPE and training.
- Typos. Proofread twice and read the posting aloud.
Material Handler Job Description Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your job description is ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a material handler do?
A material handler loads, unloads, moves, stores and tracks materials and products in warehouses, factories and distribution centers, and keeps records accurate and the work area safe.
What qualifications are needed?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says no formal educational credential is typically required for hand laborers and material movers, and training usually lasts one month or less. Employers may prefer a high school diploma.
Do I need a forklift certification?
Only if the job requires operating a forklift. OSHA requires employers to train and evaluate forklift operators before they operate a truck, and many employers provide the training.
What skills are most important?
Safety awareness, attention to detail, physical stamina, organization, communication, teamwork, basic math and the ability to learn equipment and scanning systems.
How much do material handlers earn?
The BLS reports a median of $38,220 a year for hand laborers and material movers (May 2025), and $46,420 for industrial truck and tractor operators. Pay varies by industry, state and shift.
What affects pay?
Industry, location, equipment skills, experience and shift differentials. In the BLS data, transportation and warehousing paid more than retail trade.
What are the working conditions?
The work is physical and often repetitive, with lifting, carrying and standing. The BLS notes that these occupations have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses, so safety training matters.
Is the schedule fixed?
Not always. Most work full time, part-time work is common, and schedules may include nights and weekends.
What is the job outlook?
The BLS projects 4% employment growth for hand laborers and material movers from 2025 to 2035, about average, with about 904,200 openings a year, many from workers who leave the occupation.
How can a material handler advance?
Many move into forklift operator, team lead, inventory control or supervisor roles with experience, training and certifications.
Conclusion
A good material handler job description is clear, honest and specific. Describe the real duties, the physical demands, the schedule and the pay, and name any certification you truly require. Then use the builder above to write yours.
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Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Hand Laborers and Material Movers and Material Moving Machine Operators (May 2025 pay; 2025 to 2035 outlook). OSHA, Powered Industrial Trucks: Training Assistance. Sample job descriptions are fictional. Pay and rules vary by state and employer. This page is general information and does not guarantee a job or pay.