Material Handler - Oxford, AL

Job:                         Materials Handler

Reports to:           Logistics Coordinator 

Job Summary

The Materials Handler is responsible for the safe, accurate, and efficient movement, storage, staging, and documentation of materials throughout the facility and during shipping and receiving activities. This position supports production by ensuring materials are properly identified, verified, handled, and delivered according to project requirements, production schedules, and company standards.

The Materials Handler works closely with Supply Chain, Shipping and Receiving, Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Project Management to maintain material availability and an efficient production flow.

This is a fully on-site position. The employee will complete a minimum 90-day on-site training period at Epsilon Industries’ Tuscaloosa, Alabama facility and will receive a per diem of $500 per week during the training period. Upon completion of training, the position will transfer to and remain fully on-site at Epsilon Industries’ Oxford, Alabama facility.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Material Handling & Production Support

• Safely move, store, stage, and deliver materials, components, equipment, and fabricated assemblies.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, overhead cranes, and other approved material-handling equipment.
• Read and interpret Bills of Material (“BOMs”), work orders, pick lists, drawings, and production schedules.
• Accurately pull, organize, and stage materials for production and project requirements.
• Verify part numbers, descriptions, quantities, dimensions, and project information.
• Deliver materials to the correct production or staging location.
• Maintain accurate material identification and storage-location information.
• Communicate material shortages, damaged components, and other readiness concerns.
• Coordinate daily material priorities with Production, Supply Chain, and supervision.
• Support cycle counts, physical inventories, material reconciliation, and location audits.

Loading, Unloading & Rigging

• Safely load and unload trucks using forklifts, overhead cranes, rigging, and other approved equipment.
• Select and use appropriate slings, chains, hooks, spreader bars, and other rigging devices.
• Inspect rigging and lifting equipment before use.
• Verify material weight, balance, load capacity, and lifting points before beginning a lift.
• Use established hand signals and maintain clear communication during crane and rigging activities.
• Secure materials and completed products to prevent movement or damage.
• Follow approved procedures for lifting, loading, unloading, stacking, and load securement.
• Stop work and notify supervision when an unsafe lifting or rigging condition is identified.

Shipping & Receiving Support

• Receive and inspect incoming materials, components, equipment, and supplies.
• Compare deliveries with BOMs, purchase orders, packing slips, and other receiving documents.
• Inspect materials for visible damage, shortages, overages, and incorrect items.
• Report damaged, missing, incorrect, or nonconforming materials promptly.
• Stage incoming materials for inspection, storage, production, or project use.
• Prepare and stage materials, equipment, and completed products for shipment.
• Assist with preparing Bills of Lading (“BOLs”), packing lists, shipping labels, and other required documents.
• Verify outgoing shipments against applicable shipping instructions and project requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of materials received, moved, staged, and shipped.

Documentation & Inventory Accuracy

• Enter or support material, receiving, shipping, transfer, and inventory transactions in Genius ERP or other company systems.
• Ensure system transactions agree with physical materials and supporting documentation.
• Maintain organized BOMs, packing slips, BOLs, receiving records, and material-movement documents.
• Record project numbers, work orders, part numbers, quantities, and storage locations accurately.
• Assist with investigating and resolving inventory or documentation discrepancies.
• Maintain confidentiality of customer, supplier, pricing, project, and company information.

Safety & Housekeeping

• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Operate material-handling equipment only when properly trained and authorized.
• Complete required pre-use inspections of forklifts, cranes, rigging, and other equipment.
• Report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, and maintenance concerns promptly.
• Maintain clean, organized, and accessible storage, staging, loading, and production areas.
• Keep aisles, emergency exits, loading areas, and access to safety equipment clear.
• Participate in required safety meetings, toolbox talks, and training.
• Use proper lifting techniques and mechanical assistance when required.

General Responsibilities

• Support production and project schedules through accurate and timely material handling.
• Communicate professionally with employees, suppliers, contractors, and freight carriers.
• Work independently while supporting a collaborative team environment.
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance.
• Work overtime, alternate shifts, or weekends when required by operational needs.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous material-handling, warehouse, shipping and receiving, manufacturing, fabrication, or construction experience preferred.
• Forklift and rigging experience preferred.
• Experience handling structural, mechanical, electrical, piping, or fabricated materials is preferred.

Technical Qualifications

• Ability to safely operate forklifts and other material-handling equipment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required forklift, crane, or equipment certifications.
• Working knowledge of safe rigging and material-handling practices.
• Ability to read and understand BOMs, work orders, packing slips, BOLs, and material records.
• Basic mathematical skills, including counting and verifying quantities, weights, and dimensions.
• Ability to read a tape measure accurately.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn Genius ERP and other company systems.
• Valid driver’s license may be required based on assigned duties.

Professional Skills

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong safety awareness and sound judgment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organization, time-management, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and time-sensitive material requirements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong work ethic, dependability, and accountability.
• Ability to attend work regularly and dependably.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current forklift certification.
• Overhead-crane training or certification.
• Rigging and signaling experience.
• Experience using Genius ERP or another inventory-management system.
• Experience preparing Bills of Lading and shipping documentation.
• Experience with cycle counts and physical inventory.
• OSHA 10-Hour certification.

Core Competencies:

• Material Handling
• Forklift Operation
• Rigging and Load Control
• Inventory Accuracy
• Safety Awareness
• Attention to Detail
• Organization
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Problem-Solving
• Production Support

Contacts:

• Internal Supply Chain Manager, Shipping and Receiving, Production, Purchasing, Quality, Warehouse, Project Management, Safety, and other employees.
• External suppliers, contractors, freight carriers, couriers, and service providers as assigned.

Effort (Physical & Sensory):

• Regular standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, climbing, and balancing.
• Frequent lifting and carrying of materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Team lifting or mechanical assistance is required for heavier or awkward materials.
• Frequent operation of forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, overhead cranes, and other equipment.
• Ability to climb in and out of trucks, trailers, and material-handling equipment.
• Ability to read labels, part numbers, BOMs, measurements, and shipping documents.
• Ability to hear alarms, equipment, vehicles, and verbal instructions.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in manufacturing, fabrication, warehouse, production, yard, shipping, and receiving environments.
• Initial work and training will be performed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, followed by permanent assignment to the Oxford, Alabama facility.
• Regular exposure to noise, dust, fumes, machinery, moving vehicles, and varying temperatures.
• Exposure to changing weather conditions during outdoor material-handling activities.
• Required use of personal protective equipment in designated areas.
• Overtime, alternate shifts, early-morning work, or weekends may be required.