Material Handler > Pay Rate- $20/hr. To $24/hr. > Hiring Immediately !!!

Material Handler

The Material Handler safely operates rear-wheel steering forklifts and yard tractors to move materials throughout a clean, temperature-controlled food manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for loading and unloading shipments, transporting raw materials and finished goods between departments, supporting production with timely material delivery, and maintaining accurate inventory handling. The Material Handler follows all safety and GMP guidelines while keeping work areas organized and collaborating closely with production and warehouse teams.

Responsibilities:

• Operate rear-wheel steering forklifts and yard tractors to safely and efficiently transport materials within the facility.
• Load and unload incoming and outgoing shipments, ensuring proper handling and storage of products.
• Move raw materials, packaging supplies, and finished goods between various departments to support production schedules.
• Perform routine inspections and basic maintenance checks on forklifts to ensure safe and optimal performance.
• Follow all safety guidelines, facility procedures, and GMP regulations while operating equipment and handling materials.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, keeping aisles, docks, and storage locations clear and accessible.
• Collaborate with production supervisors, warehouse personnel, and other team members to coordinate material movements.
• Resolve or escalate logistical challenges that may impact material flow or production schedules.
• Use clear and timely communication to provide updates on material availability and inventory status.
• Ensure production lines remain stocked with raw materials and packaging supplies to minimize downtime.
• Support shipping and receiving activities, including staging, verifying, and organizing products.
• Use pallet jacks, reach trucks, and other material handling equipment to move and store product safely.
• Assist with order picking, packing, loading, and unloading as needed.
• Handle inventory-related tasks such as counting, checking pallet tie and tier, and verifying expiration dates.
• Use RF scanners or similar tools to track and record material movements when required.

Essential Skills:

• Proven experience as a forklift driver, preferably in a food manufacturing or similar environment.
• 23 years of warehouse and forklift experience preferred.
• Valid forklift operator certification.
• Clean driving record suitable for operating forklifts and yard tractors.
• Demonstrated ability to operate rear-wheel steering forklifts safely in tight spaces.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs on a regular basis.
• Strong mathematical skills to perform accurate inventory counts and understand pallet tie and tier and expiration dates.
• Experience with sit-down forklifts and general forklift operating.
• Background in material handling, shipping and receiving, and production support.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and GMP regulations consistently.
• Clear and effective communication skills to coordinate with production and warehouse teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience in a food manufacturing setting is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with yard tractors and their safe operation is a plus.
• Experience with order picking, picking, and packing processes.
• Ability to use RF scanners for inventory and material tracking.
• Experience with pallet jacks, reach trucks, and other material handling equipment.
• Background in loading and unloading trucks and trailers.
• Inventory and general labor experience within a warehouse environment.
• Being bilingual is a plus.

Why Work Here?

Join a privately held, growing company that offers long-term stability and room to advance your career. You will have access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 401(k) with company match and insurance options such as health, dental, and vision coverage. The organization invests in its people through clear advancement opportunities and the potential for future profit sharing, creating a workplace where your contributions can directly support both company growth and your own professional development.

Work Environment:

Work in a GMP-regulated, very clean, 135,000 square foot facility located in Hopkins. The environment is temperature controlled and well maintained, supporting consistent comfort and safety throughout the workday. The operation runs multiple shifts, with a first shift from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and a second shift from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the contract-to-hire period, shift differentials for second and third shift are not applied; upon conversion to permanent employment, a guaranteed shift differential is added to base pay for applicable shifts. You will work around modern material handling equipment, including rear-wheel steering forklifts, yard tractors, pallet jacks, and reach trucks, in a structured, safety-focused production and warehouse setting.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Hopkins, MN.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $24.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type:

This is a fully onsite position in Hopkins, MN.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on May 8, 2026.