Working as a material handler is a great opportunity to break into the warehousing industry. You’ll play an important role in helping to organize products and materials. You will help to stack, pack, ship, receive, and pick orders. You will need to be well organized, have good time management skills and enjoy physical labour in a fast paced environment.
Material handlers typically work shifts that can last between 8 and 12 hours. Weekend, evening, and night shifts may be required if the facility operates around the clock. You are assigned duties by a shift supervisor. You may be required to operate a forklift and other equipment to organize, stack, and load materials.
Material handlers gain diverse warehousing experience. This will prepare you to take the next step in your career. Many people move into shipping, receiving, and forklift operation roles.
Material handlers in Kitchener have one of the highest average salaries in the province. You can make more than $40,000 per year. This is just under $20 per hour. At the top end of the salary scale you can make more than $25 per hour.
annual: $40,768
monthly: $3,136
weekly: $784
hourly: $19.60 per hour
lowest salary: $15.90 per hour
average salary: $19.60 per hour
highest salary: $25.50 per hour
junior salary: $15.90-$18.40 per hour
intermediate salary: $17.70-$21.50 per hour
senior salary: $20.30-$25.50 per hour
A material handler has a variety of responsibilities and daily tasks they need to complete to support production and warehousing. Here are the main duties that are in your job description:
Material handlers can work for many different types of organizations, particularly in warehousing and manufacturing. Look for jobs with retailers, distributors, suppliers, and storage facilities. These are common sources for jobs.
Here is the combination of technical and soft skills you will need to be successful in a material handler role:
To work as a material handler in Kitchener, most companies will require you to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Forklift certification and other training may also be required. Previous job experience is an asset.