WOLCOTT OPERATIONS

MATERIAL HANDLER I

Wolcott, Indiana | Full-Time | Supply Chain / Materials

Department Supply chain/Materials Reports To Materials Supervisor

Shift 1st Shift / As Assigned Travel Limited/Between local sites

Position Type Hourly Primary Focus Material Flow & Line-Side Replenishment

POSITION SUMMARY

The Material Handler I supports production by keeping materials, components, containers, and supplies flowing to the correct work areas at the right time and in the right quantity. The position performs routine line-side replenishment and material movement, maintains organized point-of-use areas, supports inventory accuracy, and removes empty containers and other material-handling obstacles. The role works closely with Materials, Warehouse, Inventory Control, and Operations to prevent material shortages and maintain safe, efficient material flow.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Line-Side Replenishment & Material Flow

• Perform scheduled and as-needed material replenishment to designated work cells and point-of-use locations.
• Deliver the right material, quantity, and container to the correct production area at the required time.
• Move raw materials, components, WIP, finished goods, containers, pallets, and supplies safely throughout the plant.
• Monitor point-of-use inventory and respond to replenishment signals, requests, and production needs.
• Escalate material shortages, incorrect material, damaged material, or other conditions that could affect production.
• Maintain orderly material presentation so production operators can easily identify and access required materials.

1. Milk-Run / Water Spider Standard Work

• Follow established routes, delivery frequencies, and standard work for assigned production areas.
• Complete routine delivery and pickup cycles consistently and communicate missed or delayed deliveries.
• Remove empty containers, pallets, packaging, and other returnable material from production areas.
• Return containers and materials to their designated locations and prevent accumulation at the point of use.
• Support changes to routes, delivery frequency, and material presentation as production requirements change.

1. Inventory Accuracy & Material Control

• Maintain accurate material identification and location discipline during movement, staging, replenishment, and returns.
• Verify part numbers, quantities, labels, and material condition before delivering material to production.
• Support line-side and warehouse inventory counts when assigned by Materials or Inventory Control.
• Report quantity differences, missing material, unidentified material, damaged material, and transaction issues promptly.
• Do not move or consume material outside established processes without appropriate authorization.
• Support Inventory Control investigations by providing information on material movement and point-of-use conditions.

1. Warehouse & Material Handling Support

• Retrieve and stage materials for production replenishment from designated warehouse or supermarket locations.
• Return excess, unused, or rejected material to the proper location following established procedures.
• Keep storage, staging, and material-handling areas clean, organized, and accessible.
• Inspect material-handling equipment and report damage or unsafe conditions before use.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, or other material-handling equipment only when trained and authorized.

1. Lean, 5S & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain clean, safe, and organized work areas using 5S principles.
• Identify opportunities to improve material flow, replenishment routes, point-of-use storage, and material presentation.
• Participate in Lean and continuous-improvement activities as assigned.
• Follow standard work and provide feedback when current processes create unnecessary movement, waiting, excess inventory, or production risk.
• Support visual management and error-proofing efforts within material-handling areas.

1. Safety & Compliance

• Follow all plant safety rules, material-handling procedures, PPE requirements, and traffic/pedestrian controls.
• Operate material-handling equipment safely and maintain awareness of pedestrians, forklifts, and other moving equipment.
• Keep aisles, exits, work areas, and emergency equipment accessible and free of obstructions.
• Report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, spills, or incidents immediately.
• Use proper lifting, pushing, pulling, and material-handling techniques.

1. Communication & Teamwork

• Communicate material shortages, delivery issues, production changes, and other risks promptly to the Materials Supervisor or appropriate team member.
• Work professionally with Production, Warehouse, Inventory Control, Planning, Quality, and other plant functions.
• Prioritize work based on production needs while maintaining safety and inventory-control discipline.
• Support other Materials activities as needed to maintain uninterrupted plant material flow.

KEY PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Production work areas are replenished on time with the correct material and quantity.
• Material shortages caused by missed or delayed replenishment are minimized.
• Line-side areas remain organized, properly identified, and free of excess containers and material.
• Material movements, returns, and locations follow established processes.
• Assigned routes and standard work are completed consistently.
• Safety, 5S, and material-handling standards are maintained.
• Inventory discrepancies and material-control issues are identified and communicated promptly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous manufacturing, warehouse, material handling, or production support experience preferred.
• Ability to learn and follow standard work, material identification, and inventory-control procedures.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn required plant systems or scanning processes.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple priorities and changing production needs.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, dependability, and communication skills.
• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment and follow required PPE and safety procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Forklift or other material-handling equipment certification.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kanban, milk runs, or point-of-use material systems.
• Experience with barcode scanning or warehouse/inventory systems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires regular standing and walking throughout the manufacturing facility, frequent use of hands and arms, reaching, bending, stooping, and occasional kneeling or crouching. The position requires frequent movement of materials and containers and may require lifting and/or moving materials up to approximately 25 pounds, with heavier loads handled using approved material-handling equipment. The employee may be exposed to moderate-to-loud noise, moving equipment, temperature variation, and other normal manufacturing conditions. Required PPE and site safety requirements apply.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITY

• Materials Supervisor: accountable for daily direction, staffing, priorities, safety, and execution of material-handling operations.
• Material Handler I: responsible for disciplined execution of replenishment, material movement, line-side organization, and communication of issues.
• Inventory Control: responsible for inventory-control standards, cycle counts, discrepancy investigation, and inventory-adjustment processes.
• Operations: responsible for point-of-use material control, communication of production needs, and support of line-side accuracy.
• Planning: provides production requirements and schedule priorities that help establish material-flow needs.

POSITION SUCCESS STATEMENT

The Material Handler I is successful when production has the material it needs, where it needs it, when it needs it—without excess material, unnecessary movement, or avoidable shortages. The position creates reliable material flow between the warehouse and production, supports line-side inventory accuracy, and helps maintain a safe, clean, and lean manufacturing environment.

GENERAL STATEMENT

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on business needs and applicable company policies.

We believe in transparent and equitable pay. All U.S. job postings include a good-faith salary range based on role, location, experience, and internal equity. We’re happy to discuss compensation openly throughout the hiring process.