Material Handler

THERE IS NO RELOCATION WITH THIS POSITION, ONLY LOCAL CANDIDATES IN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE SHOULD APPLY. AT THE TIME, WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM ANY THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS OR STAFFING AGENCIES.

Summary and Objectives:

The Material Handler supports pallet and wood packaging manufacturing operations by loading, unloading, stacking, sorting, and moving raw materials and finished products throughout the production process. Working closely with the Setup & Machine Operator (SMO) or Production Operator, this role helps maintain continuous production flow by ensuring machinery is consistently supplied with materials and finished products are safely removed, organized, and prepared for the next stage of production or shipment. Material Handlers are responsible for identifying defects, damage, or quality concerns in raw materials and finished products, removing non-conforming materials from production as needed, and assisting with maintaining machine flow, stability, and overall production efficiency. This position requires strong attention to detail, teamwork, physical endurance, and a commitment to safety and quality in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.     Load raw materials, lumber, and components into production equipment to support continuous machine operation.

2.     Unload, stack, sort, and organize finished pallets, crates, wood packaging products, and scrap materials.

3.     Work closely with the SMO or Production Operator to maintain steady production flow and minimize downtime.

4.     Monitor materials entering and exiting production lines for visible defects, damage, or quality concerns.

5.     Remove and separate defective, damaged, or non-conforming materials and products.

6.     Assist with adjusting and positioning raw materials being fed into machinery to maintain proper alignment and flow.

7.     Maintain organized staging areas for raw materials, finished products, and production supplies.

8.     Perform repetitive material handling tasks safely and efficiently throughout the shift.

9.     Assist with clearing jams, removing debris, and supporting basic operational cleanup around equipment.

10.  Follow all safety procedures, machine guarding requirements, and personal protective equipment (PPE) policies.

11.  Maintain clean and organized work areas to support safe and efficient operations.

12.  Communicate material shortages, production interruptions, quality concerns, or equipment issues to operators or supervisors.

13.  Support production teams in meeting daily output, quality, and efficiency goals.

14.  Assist with loading finished products for storage or shipment as needed.

15.  Perform other general production and material handling duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

§  High school diploma or GED

§  Ability to perform repetitive physical labor in a manufacturing environment.

§  Ability to lift, carry, stack, push, and pull materials weighing up to 50–75 pounds.

§  Ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, and move continuously throughout the shift.

§  Basic math and counting skills.

§  Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

§  Strong attention to detail and ability to identify damaged or defective materials.

§  Ability to work safely around industrial machinery and moving equipment.

§  Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

§  Reliable attendance and strong work ethic.

§  Willingness to work overtime or flexible schedules as needed.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications:

§  Experience in manufacturing, production, warehouse, pallet, or wood products.

§  Experience working around conveyors, production lines, or industrial equipment.

§  Familiarity with lumber handling or wood product inspection.

§  Basic understanding of production flow and quality standards.

§  Forklift experience is helpful but not required.

§  Experience performing manual material handling tasks in a fast-paced environment.

§  Strong communication and teamwork skills.

§  Ability to quickly learn production processes and material flow procedures.

Core Competencies:

1. Humility (lacks ego, team agenda, transparent, trainable, servant orientation)

2. Hungry (extra mile, internally driven, self-starter, excellence, passionate, change agent)

3. People Smart (interpersonal, group dynamics, influential, self-aware, motivating)

4. Competent (knows and can accomplish the task at hand – job, challenges, requirements)

5. Integrity (honest, reliable, transparent, strong character, loyal, righteous)

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands of this position require continuous standing, walking, bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, and repetitive motion throughout the work shift. Employees must regularly lift, carry, stack, and move lumber, pallets, wood packaging materials, and finished products weighing up to 50–75 pounds. The role requires physical stamina, manual dexterity, and hand-eye coordination to safely handle materials, maintain production flow, and identify quality concerns while working around industrial production equipment.

Work Environment:

This position works in a manufacturing and industrial production environment involving pallet and wood packaging operations. Employees are regularly exposed to moving machinery, conveyors, wood dust, vibration, noise, and varying temperatures depending on facility conditions and seasonal weather. The work environment is fast-paced and production-driven, requiring constant awareness of equipment movement, material flow, and surrounding personnel. Required personal protective equipment (PPE) may include safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and steel-toe footwear. Strict adherence to safety procedures and teamwork is essential to maintaining safe and efficient operations.

Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position that will be assigned to a certain shift (I.e., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). Days and hours of work are normally Monday through Friday, with an 8-to-12-hour work period per day. Exact time of day depends on the assigned shift. Some overtime, night, and/or weekend work may be required.

Travel:

This position requires minimal to no travel.

AAP/EEO Statement:

All recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, and other employment related decisions are provided fairly to all persons on an equal opportunity basis without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Tree Brand Packaging has been a leading manufacturer of custom wood pallets, crates, and packaging products for over 30 years. With eight locations across the Southeast (NC, SC, AL, TN, LA, TX), we serve a wide range of industries, including steel, automotive, telecommunications, material handling, military, aerospace, and import/export. Our innovative design solutions and commitment to exceptional customer service help meet the unique needs of our clients. We aim to build a great team, valued partnerships, address supply-chain challenges, and support customers in reducing costs and improving profitability.