Material Handler

Position Summary

As a Material Handler, you will ensure the smooth and timely flow of materials throughout the lean manufacturing production floor with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. Your primary responsibility will be to proactively anticipate material needs, precisely deliver components to the point of use, and swiftly remove finished goods and waste, all while adhering to lean methodologies and contributing to a continuous improvement culture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Proactive Material Flow Management: Continuously monitor production schedules and material consumption to anticipate upcoming needs and proactively stage materials at designated workstations before they are required.
• Just-in-Time (JIT) Delivery: Execute precise and timely delivery of raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies to production lines in the exact quantities needed, minimizing work-in-process (WIP) inventory and optimizing flow.
• Point-of-Use Material Presentation: Organize and present materials at workstations in a standardized and ergonomic manner, facilitating easy access and efficient use by production team members.
• Efficient Material Retrieval: Swiftly and accurately retrieve finished goods from production lines and transport them to designated storage or shipping areas.
• Waste Stream Management: Collect and segregate production waste and scrap materials, ensuring proper disposal and adherence to environmental and company guidelines.
• Kanban and Visual Management Support: Understand and utilize Kanban signals and other visual management tools to trigger material replenishment and maintain optimal inventory levels.
• Equipment Operation: Safely operate material handling equipment and other necessary tools.
• 5S and Workplace Organization: Actively participate in maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work environment according to 5S principles.
• Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement: Identify and report any material flow bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or discrepancies. Participate in problem-solving activities and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen).
• Communication and Collaboration: Effectively communicate with production team members, supervisors, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless material flow and address any issues promptly.
• Inventory Accuracy: Assist in cycle counts and inventory audits to maintain accurate inventory records.
• Adherence to Safety Regulations: Strictly adhere to all safety procedures and regulations to prevent accidents and ensure a safe working environment.
• The implementation of a Water Spider keeps inventory to a minimum. 
• The Water Spider absorbs nonvalue added activity allowing the workstations to focus on value added activity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications 

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proven experience (typically five years) in a material handling role within a manufacturing environment, where complex electromechanical systems are made. 
• At least one year experience as a production operator or production technician required building electromechanical or electronic products.
• Basic understanding of inventory management principles and lean concepts (e.g., JIT, Kanban, 5S).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to read and interpret production schedules and material lists.
• Excellent English communication and teamwork skills. (reading, writing, speaking, listening)
• Physical stamina and the ability to lift and move materials as required.