EXPERIENCED MATERIAL HANDLER RESUME TEMPLATE ============================================= [YOUR FULL NAME] [City, State] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY -------------------- Experienced material handler with [X] years in [warehouse type - distribution, manufacturing, cold storage, etc.] operations. Certified to operate [number] equipment types including [specific equipment]. Consistently moved [number]+ units daily while maintaining [X%] accuracy rate and [zero/perfect] safety record across [number]+ operational hours. Proficient in [WMS system] and RF scanner operations. CERTIFICATIONS -------------- • Forklift Operator - [All classes/specific types] - Certified for up to [weight] lbs - [Year] • OSHA [10/30]-Hour Safety Certification - [Year] • [Reach Truck/Order Picker/Cherry Picker] Operator License - [Year] • [Hazmat/Other specialized certification] - [Year] • [Additional certifications] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ----------------------- [Job Title - Material Handler, Warehouse Associate, Forklift Operator] [Company Name] ([brief description if needed]), [City, State] | [Month Year] – Present Productivity & Operations: • Operated [equipment types] moving [number]+ pallets/units daily across [square footage] warehouse • Achieved [X%] productivity rate, consistently exceeding daily targets by [X%] • Loaded and unloaded [number]+ trucks per shift using [equipment] with [X%] accuracy • Processed [number]+ orders daily through pick, pack, and ship operations • Maintained [X%] on-time shipment rate for [number]+ daily outbound orders • Reduced material movement time by [X%] through [specific improvement] Safety & Compliance: • Maintained zero safety incidents across [number]+ operational hours • Completed [number] hours of safety training including [specific topics] • Conducted pre-shift equipment inspections identifying [number]+ maintenance needs • Achieved [X consecutive days/months] without accidents or violations • Trained [number] new hires on safety protocols and equipment operation • Received [safety award/recognition] for [achievement] Inventory Management: • Maintained [X%] inventory accuracy through cycle counts and location management • Processed [number]+ SKUs with [X%] picking accuracy rate • Conducted daily cycle counts for [number]+ locations • Reduced inventory shrinkage by [X%] through improved handling procedures • Followed FIFO/LIFO rotation procedures for [product types] • Utilized [WMS system] for real-time inventory tracking and updates Quality & Accuracy: • Achieved [X%] order accuracy rate across [number]+ daily picks • Reduced product damage by [X%] through improved handling techniques • Maintained [X%] scan accuracy using RF handheld devices • Processed returns and damaged goods following proper procedures • Inspected incoming materials for quality and accuracy Equipment Operation: • Certified and proficient on [list specific equipment with brands]: - [Sit-down forklifts - Crown, Raymond, Toyota, etc.] - [Stand-up reach trucks] - [Order pickers] - [Electric pallet jacks] - [Other specialized equipment] • Performed minor maintenance and daily equipment checks • Reported equipment issues preventing [number]+ hours of downtime [Previous Job Title] [Company Name], [City, State] | [Month Year] – [Month Year] • Operated [equipment] in [warehouse size/type] moving [number]+ units per shift • Maintained [X%] accuracy rate in order picking and inventory counts • Achieved [safety record - zero incidents over time period] • Loaded/unloaded [number]+ trucks daily meeting all shipping deadlines • Utilized [WMS/inventory system] for tracking and documentation • Trained [number] new material handlers on equipment and procedures • Received [recognition/award] for [achievement] [Earlier Position if applicable] [Company Name], [City, State] | [Month Year] – [Month Year] • [Achievement with specific metrics] • [Safety or accuracy achievement] • [Productivity or efficiency metric] EDUCATION --------- [High School Diploma/GED/College Degree] [School Name], [City, State] | [Year] [Specialized Training] (if applicable) [Logistics/Supply Chain/Warehousing Program] | [Year] TECHNICAL SKILLS ---------------- Warehouse Management Systems: • [SAP, Manhattan, HighJump, RedPrairie, Oracle WMS - list systems you know] • RF scanner operation and handheld devices • Inventory tracking and barcode systems • [Transportation Management Systems - if applicable] Equipment Expertise: • Forklifts: [Sit-down, stand-up, reach trucks] - [Brand names] • Weight capacity: Certified up to [weight] lbs • Pallet jacks: Manual and electric • Order pickers and cherry pickers • Tuggers and tow motors • [Specialized equipment for your industry] Operational Knowledge: • Shipping and receiving procedures • Order picking and packing • Cycle counting and inventory management • Load building and space optimization • Cross-docking operations • Reverse logistics and returns processing • Hazmat handling and storage (if applicable) Safety & Compliance: • OSHA regulations and standards • Proper lifting techniques • PPE usage and compliance • Lockout/tagout procedures • Emergency response protocols • Accident prevention and reporting Software Proficiency: • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) • Shipping software (UPS, FedEx systems) • Inventory databases • Time tracking systems CORE COMPETENCIES ----------------- • High-volume material handling • Productivity optimization • Safety consciousness • Attention to detail • Quality control • Time management • Team collaboration • Problem-solving • Adaptability to changing priorities • Independent work capability AWARDS & RECOGNITION (if applicable) ------------------------------------ • [Award Name] - [Month/Year] - [Context: "Employee of Month for zero defects"] • [Safety Award] - [Year] - [Context: "Perfect safety record for consecutive year"] • [Performance Recognition] - [Year] FILL-IN INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXPERIENCED MATERIAL HANDLERS: ======================================================== PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY: - Lead with years of experience and warehouse type - Include highest-volume or most impressive metrics - Mention number of equipment types you operate - Reference your safety record prominently - Keep to 3-4 lines maximum - Example: "Experienced material handler with 6 years in high-volume distribution operations. Certified to operate 8 equipment types including Raymond reach trucks and Crown forklifts. Consistently moved 600+ pallets daily while maintaining 99.8% accuracy rate and zero safety incidents across 12,000+ operational hours." EXPERIENCE SECTION STRUCTURE: - Group related achievements under subheadings - Use subheadings like "Productivity," "Safety," "Inventory," "Equipment" - This prevents dense blocks of bullets - Include 8-10 bullets for current role - Include 5-7 bullets for previous roles - Condense older roles to 2-3 bullets KEY METRICS FOR EXPERIENCED MATERIAL HANDLERS: - Daily/shift volume (pallets, units, cases moved) - Accuracy rates (picking, inventory, scanning) - Safety record (incident-free hours, days, years) - Productivity rates (vs. target or average) - Equipment operated (number of types, brands) - Warehouse size (square footage) - Truck loading/unloading counts - Inventory accuracy percentages - Damage reduction percentages - Time/efficiency improvements made QUANTIFYING YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS: Before: "Moved materials in warehouse" After: "Operated reach truck moving 500+ pallets daily across 150,000 sq ft distribution center with 99.9% accuracy" Before: "Picked orders" After: "Picked and staged 200+ orders per shift achieving 99.5% accuracy rate and meeting all shipping deadlines" Before: "Operated forklift safely" After: "Maintained zero safety violations across 8,000+ forklift operation hours while handling 400+ loads daily" Before: "Did inventory counts" After: "Conducted cycle counts maintaining 99.7% inventory accuracy across 3,000+ SKU locations" EQUIPMENT SECTION - BE VERY SPECIFIC: List by brand and type: - "Raymond reach truck (model 7400, 4000 lb capacity)" - "Crown sit-down forklift (RC Series, 5000 lb capacity)" - "Yale electric pallet jack" - "Order picker (up to 30 feet vertical reach)" Don't just say "forklift experience" - name brands and models WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: Name actual systems by name: - SAP WMS - Manhattan SCALE - HighJump WMS - RedPrairie (now Blue Yonder) - Oracle WMS - JDA (now Blue Yonder) This is critical for ATS keyword matching SAFETY METRICS TO HIGHLIGHT: - "10,000+ incident-free hours" - "Zero lost-time accidents over 3 years" - "100% compliance with safety audits" - "Completed 40+ hours safety training annually" - "Zero product damage incidents in 2 years" INVENTORY ACCURACY: - Cycle count accuracy percentages - Inventory shrinkage reduction - Location accuracy rates - Scan accuracy percentages - FIFO/LIFO compliance rates PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS: - "Reduced receiving time by 25%" - "Improved picking efficiency by 30%" - "Exceeded productivity targets by 20% consistently" - "Processed 15% more orders than department average" TRAINING & LEADERSHIP: Even as individual contributor, training others shows leadership: - "Trained 12 new hires on equipment operation" - "Mentored junior material handlers" - "Served as shift lead during supervisor absence" - "Cross-trained team members on multiple equipment types" SPECIALIZED ENVIRONMENTS: Cold Storage: - "Worked in -20°F freezer environment" - "Maintained productivity in temperature-controlled zones" Hazmat: - "Handled hazardous materials following DOT regulations" - "Completed hazmat certification for [material classes]" Food/Pharmaceutical: - "Maintained FDA compliance in food-grade warehouse" - "Followed GMP procedures in pharmaceutical distribution" STRONG ACTION VERBS: - Operated, Moved, Loaded, Unloaded, Processed - Maintained, Achieved, Exceeded, Reduced, Improved - Trained, Conducted, Inspected, Completed, Utilized WHAT TO EMPHASIZE: - Volume and productivity metrics - Safety record (zero incidents) - Accuracy rates - Equipment expertise (multiple types) - System proficiency (WMS) - Longevity and reliability - Process improvements made - Training provided to others CERTIFICATIONS MATTER: - List them prominently at top - Include in professional summary - Reference in job descriptions - Update expiration dates - Add new ones as you earn them AWARDS & RECOGNITION: - Employee of the Month/Quarter/Year - Safety awards (zero accidents, safety champion) - Productivity awards (top performer) - Perfect attendance - Any company-specific recognition FORMATTING: - 1-2 pages depending on experience (1 page preferred if possible) - Certifications section near top (after summary) - Group bullets under subheadings - Professional fonts and formatting - Save as: FirstName_LastName_Material_Handler_Resume.docx CUSTOMIZATION TIPS: - Reorder bullets to match job requirements - Emphasize distribution vs. manufacturing experience based on job - Highlight cold storage if applying to refrigerated warehouse - Note hazmat if job involves chemicals or dangerous goods - Emphasize specific WMS if mentioned in job posting