Crafting a Standout Material Handler Resume 2025
Create Your Resume NowIf you're ready to move your career as a material handler forward, your resume is your ticket to the next opportunity. In this article, you'll discover how to create a standout material handler resume that highlights your skills and experience. Get ready for expert tips and inspiring resume examples to help you land your dream job!
This guide will show you:
- A material handler resume example that’s better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
- How to write a material handler resume that will land you more interviews.
- Tips and examples including material handler job description for a resume.
- How to describe your experience on a resume for a material handler to get any job you want.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
One of our users, Brittanya, had this to say:
Zety really helped me create the best resume possible. It pointed out how things could be better on my existing resume and suggested many things to be re-worded or removed.
Want to check more samples related to material handler? Here you go:
- Assembly Line Worker Resume Example
- Auto Mechanic Resume Example
- Factory Worker Resume Example
- Heavy Equipment Operator Resume Example
- Machine Operator Resume Example
- Manufacturing Resume Example
- Production Resume Example
- Production Supervisor Resume Example
- Shipping and Receiving Resume Example
- Warehouse Associate Resume Example
Material Handler Resume Sample
Ethan Mitchell
Material Handler
ethan.mitchell@email.com
555-409-3231
linkedin.com/in/jordanwilliamscoaching
Summary of Qualifications
Detail-oriented Material Handler with over 7 years of experience managing inventory, preparing shipments, and optimizing warehouse operations. Skilled in loading and unloading materials, maintaining accurate inventory records, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Proven ability to reduce material wastage by 15% and increase order fulfillment speed by 20%, contributing to operational efficiency. Strong communicator with a focus on teamwork and process improvement.
Work Experience
Material Handler
Delta Logistics, Chicago, IL
March 2019–Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Managed inventory levels for a 50,000-square-foot warehouse, ensuring the timely receipt, storage, and shipment of materials.
- Operated forklifts and other warehouse machinery to safely move materials, improving material handling efficiency by 18%.
- Coordinated shipments and deliveries with logistics partners, resulting in a 20% reduction in late deliveries.
- Performed routine inventory counts and reconciled discrepancies, reducing stockouts by 10%.
Key Achievements
- Reduced material wastage by 15% through improved handling processes and better storage practices.
Warehouse Associate
NorthStar Shipping, Oak Brook, IL
June 2017–February 2019
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Loaded and unloaded products, processed shipments, and prepared goods for transport, resulting in a 10% decrease in handling time.
- Performed inventory audits and reconciled stock levels, reducing inventory discrepancies by 12%.
- Used order-picking software to locate and pull materials efficiently, reducing picking errors by 8% and improving order accuracy.
- Followed strict safety protocols, reducing safety incidents by 20%.
Key Achievements
- Helped reduce order fulfillment errors by 10% by improving training procedures for new hires.
Education
High School Diploma
Lakeside High School, Skokie, IL
Graduated June 2015
Certifications
- Forklift Operator Certification, National Safety Council, 2017
- OSHA 10-Hour Certification, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2016
Skills
- Material Handling & Warehousing
- Inventory Control & Stock Management
- Forklift Operation
- Order Fulfillment & Shipping
- Shipping & Receiving Documentation
- Safety Protocols & OSHA Compliance
- Data Entry & Inventory Management Software (SAP, Oracle)
- Attention to Detail & Time Management
- Teamwork & Collaboration
Languages
- English—Native
- German—Intermediate
Interests
- Enjoys hiking, reading books on productivity, and mentoring youth in local community programs.
Here’s how to write your own material handler resume:
1. Format Your Material Handler Resume Correctly
Creating a material handler resume that stands out in a sea of applicants can be a challenge. So, what will make yours catch the hiring manager's eye? A good resume format that is sleek and professional will certainly make a difference.
To format your resume for material handler jobs:
- Begin with a resume header that includes your name, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile, and any relevant online portfolio. These are essential personal details in a resume.
- While your street address isn't necessary, including your city can be beneficial if it's the same as the company you're applying to.
- Opt for a reverse-chronological resume, where your most recent job is listed first. This is the best layout for resumes because it aligns with hiring managers' expectations.
- Choose a professional font like Calibri or Arial. The best font size for resumes ranges from 10 to 12 points.
- Name your resume file as “Your Name - Material Handler - Resume.pdf”. A PDF resume file is preferable over MS Word as it maintains the formatting.
- The ideal resume length for entry-level material handlers is one page. If you have extensive experience and achievements, consider a two-page resume or more.
Read more: Resume Design Ideas (Including Templates)
2. Customize the Material Handler Job Description for Your Resume
Customizing your resume for each material handler job you apply for is crucial. A generic resume won’t impress hiring managers. Tailoring it ensures your resume speaks directly to the material handler’s job requirements and shows your unique fit.
Here’s how to add relevant experience to your resume:
- Use the exact job title mentioned in the job ad. Tailored resumes work best with precise job titles.
- Include 3–6 bullet points for each job after listing the company name and your employment dates. Use more for recent roles and fewer for older ones.
- Demonstrate your expertise by including accomplishments that incorporate numbers and key performance indicators (KPIs). Highlight your achievements effectively.
- Start each bullet point with strong resume action verbs like managed, optimized, and executed.
Material Handler Resume Examples—Responsibilities
- Safely and efficiently load and unload materials using appropriate equipment.
- Organize and maintain inventory to ensure accurate stock levels.
- Conduct regular inspections of handling equipment to ensure functionality and safety.
- Collaborate with team members to coordinate material flow and storage.
- Operate forklifts and other machinery following safety guidelines.
- Record and report material movements and discrepancies accurately.
- Assist in packaging and labeling materials for shipment.
Remember to use action verbs that convey your responsibilities and achievements effectively. Here are some action verbs for a material handler:
Material Handler Resume Examples—Action Verbs
- Loaded
- Inspected
- Operated
- Coordinated
- Managed
- Recorded
- Organized
- Collaborated
- Assisted
- Implemented
Did you know a past promotion can land the interview? Read more: How to Show a Promotion on a Resume (or Multiple Positions)
3. Make the Education Section in Your Material Handler Resume Count
Your education section can be more than just a list of degrees and schools. To truly leverage this part of your resume, showcase how your educational experiences have contributed to your skills and capabilities. This can be a game-changer in increasing your chances of landing interviews.
Explore these resume tips:
- Position your education details right after your work history for the best resume degree placement.
- If you're an entry-level material handler, highlight relevant coursework to demonstrate your skillset.
- Even with significant experience, consider adding bullet points for fellowships, scholarships, or leadership roles.
- Should you include your GPA? If it's notably high, it's worth mentioning on your resume.
Read more: How to List Your Major and Minor on a Resume
Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.
4. Prove the Material Handler Skills the Company Wants
Having the right skills on a resume is essential, but showcasing them effectively is what makes a difference. It’s not enough to list any skills; you need to align your skills with those mentioned in the job description to stand out.
Here's how to incorporate material handler skills into your resume:
- Identify resume keywords by focusing on the skills emphasized in the job listing and integrate them into your resume.
- Avoid overwhelming your resume with too many skills. Stick to a focused list of 5-10 key skills to maintain clarity and relevance.
- To boost your chances of getting interviews, weave these skills into your job descriptions and educational experiences.
Material Handler Resume Skills
- Forklift operation
- Inventory management
- Safety protocols
- Equipment maintenance
- Material loading and unloading
- Organizational skills
- Communication skills
- Problem-Solving skills
- Team collaboration
- Time management
Read more: What is the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?
5. Add Other Sections to Your Resume for a Material Handler
Wondering how to show hiring managers you're the ideal team player they need? Adding additional sections to your resume can do just that, highlighting your initiative and capability.
Here are a few added sections that can show your strengths:
- Add any relevant certifications you’ve received, such as OSHA or forklift operation certifications.
- If you’ve contributed to industry publications or written articles, list them on your resume to demonstrate expertise.
- Being part of professional associations can enhance your resume. If you're a member of a relevant organization, include this to show engagement.
- Have you participated in volunteer work related to material handling? Include these experiences if they demonstrate relevant skills.
- If you possess language skills that could be beneficial, it's useful to know how to include them on your resume.
Read more: What Are the Correct Sections of a Resume?
6. Write a Material Handler Resume Summary or Resume Objective
A hiring manager's attention span is short, typically scanning a resume in just a few seconds. To ensure your material handler resume makes an impact, craft a compelling resume introduction that encapsulates your key qualifications succinctly.
This section is often called a resume profile, akin to an elevator pitch of yourself. However, it should be concise enough to captivate within a brief glance. For those with at least a year of experience, create a resume professional summary that includes your job title, potential contributions to the company, and a couple of notable achievements.
For newcomers with limited experience, focus on crafting a resume objective that draws from academic or personal projects to illustrate your potential. If you're seeking guidance on how to write a resume with no experience, this approach will help you shine.
87% of hiring teams use LinkedIn to find new hires. See our guide: How to Upload a Resume to LinkedIn (Update & Add)
7. Write a Cover Letter for Your Material Handler Resume
A well-crafted cover letter can make a significant difference in your job application. It's a chance to express your enthusiasm and showcase your personality, proving you're genuinely interested in the position. In today's competitive job market, a personalized cover letter can set you apart from other candidates.
Create your resume cover sheet like this:
- Use professional cover letter structure: with the same header as your resume and a business-ready sign-off at the end.
- How to format cover letter: 3–5 paragraphs and less than a full page.
- How to begin a cover letter: job title in the first sentence and an icebreaker that makes them continue reading.
- Middle paragraphs: the biggest few project engineer achievements in your resume.
- How to end it: write a cover letter conclusion that adds a few more skills and requests a conversation to discuss how you can help them.
- Finally, write an application follow-up email weekly for a month. Make it super-short and attach your resume and cover letter PDFs.
Read more: How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Remember, a well-structured resume and cover letter can open doors to new opportunities. Keep refining your documents, and soon you'll be landing those interviews!
Thank you for reading, and feel free to leave any questions about your resume for a material handler in the comments below.
About Zety’s Editorial Process
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.