Material Handling & Shipping Lead

Job Title: Material Handling & Shipping Lead Department: Material & Shipping Reports to: Shipping Supervisor FLSA status: Non-Exempt Location: On-site Position Summary: The Material Handling & Shipping Lead is a hands-on working lead responsible for performing material handling and shipping activities while serving as the team’s primary point person. This role supports the efficient flow of materials, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods throughout the manufacturing operation and helps ensure accurate, timely customer shipments. The lead provides day-to-day guidance, training, and operational support to team members. This position leads by example, assists with workflow coordination, identifies process improvements, and partners closely with the supervisor to support operational excellence.

Essential Functions of the role include:

Leadership:

• Provide daily oversight to the department by analyzing workload and determining priorities based on customer deadlines and lead times to ensure shipping goals are met.
• Assist in department scheduling and assignment of work. Serve as the primary point of contact for the department, in the absence of the Shipping Supervisor.
• Assist supervisor with team member training and performance and provide feedback as needed.
• Serve as a designated Forklift Trainer by conducting new operator training & practical evaluation, as well as refresher training in accordance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies. Ensure proper training documentation retention in company QMS.
• Maintain organization and cleanliness utilizing 5S principles and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment.

Shipping & Material Handling:

• Safely deliver products using company vehicles, ensuring on-time and cost-effective deliveries with as few trips as possible
• Ensure raw materials, components, and supplies are delivered to production areas accurately and on schedule.
• Coordinate movement of work-in-process between manufacturing departments.
• Prepare, package, label, and verify finished goods for shipment according to customer specifications.
• Complete shipping documentation including bills of lading, packing slips, carrier documentation, and export paperwork, when applicable.
• Process inventory transactions accurately within the ERP system.
• Assist with cycle counts, inventory audits, and physical inventories while helping investigate inventory discrepancies.
• Operate a forklift, wave lift, pallet jack and other equipment as necessary to move and load products and material.
• Receive and manage incoming material.
• Load and unload trucks using heavy equipment.
• Utilize company’s ERP system to process shipping transactions
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 3-5 years of shipping or material handling experience, in a manufacturing setting, required. Printing, packing, label converting or similar manufacturing environment preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of leadership experience required.
• Intermediate computer skills and previous experience utilizing an ERP system.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Excellent organization and problem-solving skills
• Ability to certify and drive a fork-lift, wave-lift, pallet jack and other equipment as necessary to move and load products and material.
• Working knowledge of domestic & international freight, parcel carriers, LTL shipping, and shipping documentation
• Valid Driver’s license and acceptable driving record as determined by Steven Label’s auto insurer.
• Valid US Passport to be able to cross the US/Mexico border for deliveries as needed
• Ability to read and understand work instruction in English.
• ISO 9001 or ISO 13485 experience strongly preferred
• Ability to read and understand work instructions in English
• A self-starter with a proven track record of being able to work independently as well as in a cross-functional team environment

Physical Requirements:

• This role requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 lbs. frequently, and up to 10 lbs. constantly.
• Frequent reaching, standing for long periods, walking, lifting, grasping, and repetitive hand/wrist movements.
• Occasional loading and unloading from vehicles, handling deliveries using company vehicles, and regular use of a forklift and other material handlings equipment.