Material Handler Duties, Skills & Responsibilities

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When hiring Material Handlers, it’s important to properly describe the job opening with the duties, skills and responsibilities of the role. We’ve compiled a guide to Material Handler Duties, Skills & Responsibilities using data from actual job postings on Indeed.

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Popular Material Handler Duties and Skills

Here are some commonly found skills and other specifications in job postings for Material Handlers.

Forklift

Definition : Experience operating a forklift.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 24.1% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Warehouse experience

Definition : Experience working in a warehouse in a non-managerial capacity.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 19.9% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Materials handling

Definition : Skill or experience transporting materials using manual labor, equipment, or automated methods, typically in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 4.4% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

CDL A

Definition : A license that qualifies an individual to drive any combination of vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or higher. Governing bodies differ by state.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 4% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Heavy lifting

Definition : Skill or experience safely lifting and moving heavy objects while preventing injury, either alone or with a teammate.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 3.3% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Mechanical knowledge

Definition : Knowledge of or experience working with mechanical systems, tools, or machines.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 2.5% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Shipping & receiving

Definition : Knowledge of or experience with shipping and receiving processes and procedures.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 1.6% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Pallet jack

Definition : Experience operating pallet jacks.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 1.6% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Warehouse distribution

Definition : Experience or skill performing order processing operations related to storage and retrieval of goods within a warehouse distribution center.
Years of experience most commonly required: 0-1
How common is it? This skill is found in 1% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Construction

Definition : Experience or skill in the construction or renovation of buildings, utilities, roads, or other civil, commercial, or residential infrastructure.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.9% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Warehouse management system

Definition : Software for managing warehouse processes and logistics.
Years of experience most commonly required: 4-5
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.8% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Crane

Definition : Experience operating a crane.
Years of experience most commonly required: 0-1
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.7% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Load & unload

Definition : Skill or experience with loading and unloading cargo.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.6% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Heavy equipment operation

Definition : Experience operating heavy equipment.
Years of experience most commonly required: 3
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.4% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Cherry picker

Definition : Experience operating cherry pickers.
Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

OSHA

Definition : Experience with or knowledge of the standards of the Occupational Health and Safety Association.
Years of experience most commonly required: 6-7
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Clamp truck

Definition : Experience operating a clamp truck, which is a type of forklift with clamps instead of a fork. Typically used to move large rolls of paper.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.

Order picker

Definition : Experience operating a powered industrial order picker.
Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Material Handler job postings on Indeed.