Material Handler / Shipping & Receiving

Position Summary

The Material Handler / Shipping & Receiving role is a dual-function position supporting both production floor material movement and shipping and receiving operations at Acme Industries. This person is the physical logistics link between incoming raw materials, the production floor, and outbound finished components — keeping material flowing accurately and safely across the facility.

Acme machines large, complex castings and forgings — parts that weigh hundreds of pounds, require crane-assisted handling, and demand the same attention to accuracy and documentation that the machining floor does. The right candidate takes safety seriously, handles heavy material with discipline and care, and understands that getting the right part to the right place at the right time is not a background task — it’s what keeps production running.

This role spans the full material lifecycle at Acme: receiving and verifying incoming shipments, moving material to work centers, supporting in-process logistics on the production floor, staging finished parts for inspection and shipment, and supporting the outbound shipping process. It is a physical, active role that requires forklift certification, overhead crane certification, and the ability to work safely with large, heavy workpieces in a busy manufacturing environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Material Handling — Production Floor (60%)

• Move raw materials, work-in-process parts, and finished components between storage areas, work centers, and inspection stations using forklifts, overhead cranes, and other material handling equipment
• Handle large, heavy castings and forgings safely and accurately — crane-assisted lifts, rigging, and proper use of slings, chains, hooks, and lifting devices are core to this role
• Stage materials and parts at work centers per production routing and work order requirements — the right part, the right location, the right time
• Return completed parts, fixtures, and tooling to designated storage locations promptly and accurately after machining operations are complete
• Store and retrieve fixtures, tooling, and raw material in appropriate designated locations per inventory and floor layout standards
• Support setup and teardown of machining operations by positioning large workpieces, fixtures, and tooling at the machine as directed by setup techs and machinists
• Participate in cycle counts, physical inventory, and material accuracy initiatives to maintain ERP data integrity
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe production floor — 5S standards apply to material staging areas, aisles, and storage locations
• Report damaged, incorrect, or missing material to the supervisor immediately — do not move questionable material without direction

Shipping & Receiving (40%)

• Receive incoming shipments of raw materials, purchased parts, tooling, and supplies — unload trucks using forklift and crane, verify quantities against packing slips and purchase orders, and document discrepancies
• Inspect incoming material for visible shipping damage and report discrepancies to the Shipping & Receiving Manager before accepting or storing
• Enter receiving data into Made2Manage ERP accurately — part number, quantity, lot, and location — to maintain inventory accuracy
• Stage and route incoming material to the correct storage or production location promptly upon receipt
• Pack, label, and prepare finished precision components for outbound shipment in accordance with customer requirements, work order documentation, and packaging standards
• Load outbound shipments onto trucks using forklift; verify quantities and documentation against packing lists and shipping orders before release
• Generate and process shipping documentation including packing lists, bills of lading, and customer-required labels and certifications
• Coordinate with the Shipping & Receiving Manager and Production on delivery schedules, outbound priorities, and carrier pickups
• Maintain shipping and receiving area in a clean, organized condition — materials staged correctly, aisles clear, documentation filed per procedure
• Support cycle counts and physical inventory in the shipping and receiving area

Safety & Compliance

• Operate forklift and overhead crane in strict accordance with Acme’s safety policies, OSHA standards, and equipment operating procedures — no exceptions
• Conduct pre-shift safety inspections on forklift and crane equipment; report deficiencies before operating
• Use appropriate PPE — safety shoes, gloves, hard hat, hi-vis vest, and hearing protection as required by area and task
• Follow all rigging, lifting, and load capacity guidelines for overhead crane operations — never exceed rated capacity
• Maintain situational awareness in a busy manufacturing environment shared with machinists, setup techs, and other personnel
• Report near-misses, unsafe conditions, and incidents to the supervisor immediately
• Support 5S and housekeeping standards across all work areas
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Shipping & Receiving Manager

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Forklift certification required — current certification preferred; Acme will certify the right candidate
• Overhead crane certification required — current certification preferred; Acme will certify the right candidate
• Ability to lift and move materials up to 50 pounds unassisted; ability to handle heavier loads with crane and forklift equipment
• Previous material handling experience in a manufacturing environment — experience with large, heavy parts, castings, forgings, or industrial equipment strongly preferred
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy — part numbers, quantities, and documentation must be right every time
• Strong safety mindset — non-negotiable at Acme
• Reliable attendance and punctuality

Strongly Preferred

• Experience in a precision machining, aerospace, defense, or heavy industrial manufacturing environment
• Basic computer and data entry skills — ERP receiving entry is part of this role
• Made2Manage ERP experience or other manufacturing ERP
• Experience generating shipping documentation — packing lists, bills of lading, carrier labels
• Rigging experience — slings, chains, hooks, shackles, and proper lift planning for large, odd-shaped parts
• Familiarity with AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality system requirements in a shipping/receiving context

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance starting Day 1 — no waiting period
• Company-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Weekly pay
• Gainsharing bonus opportunities
• Overhead crane and forklift certification provided if not already certified
• Clean, safe, modern manufacturing facility
• 75+ years of stability — founded in 1948, PE-backed, actively growing
• A team environment where your work directly impacts on-time delivery to aerospace and defense customers

About Acme Industries

Since 1948, Acme Industries has been a trusted precision manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, power generation, mining, and transportation markets from our facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. We are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified and specialize in large, complex machined castings and forgings — parts measured in feet, weighing hundreds of pounds, built for customers who cannot afford mistakes. Every material handler at Acme plays a direct role in making that promise real.