Material Handler - Shipping​/Receiving

Louis Industries is one of the most modern steel processing facilities in central Minnesota. We employ around 100 people and serve over 180 customers predominantly located in the upper Midwest. Our customers vary from small, local owned companies to multi-million-dollar Fortune 500 companies. The parts Louis fabricates are found in products and equipment that are shipped globally. We utilize the latest technology available in laser, punching, forming, welding and quality control equipment, with an emphasis on supporting lean, rapid response manufacturing to support our customer’s varied needs.

We strive to look toward the future, invest in automation, and continuously improve our processes, production capabilities, and our people. In addition, we are a major regional supplier with inventory of mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.

We are employee focused, offer flexible schedules, full benefits, and competitive pay.

The Material Handler is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of materials throughout the facility, including receiving incoming freight, supplying production with raw materials, and preparing and loading outgoing shipments. This position ensures materials are properly identified, stored, and handled in compliance with company safety, quality, and ISO-9001 standards. The Material Handler supports continuous production flow, accuracy in inventory, and the overall success of logistics operations.

• Receive, inspect, and document all incoming freight for accuracy, condition, and quantity.
• Unload incoming material using cranes, forklifts, or other material-handling equipment.
• Record and communicate any shortages, damage, or nonconforming material.
• Tag, store, and organize raw material in designated locations for easy retrieval.
• Coordinate with purchasing, production, and quality teams to confirm receipt and proper documentation of materials.

• Pick, sort, and move material with forklifts to appropriate work‑in‑process (WIP) staging areas based on work order.
• Ensure all material movements comply with weight limits, packaging standards, and quality requirements.
• Assist in preparing kits or component bundles for production use when needed.
• May serve as back up operator of overhead cranes as designated.
• Assist in preparing shipments of both raw material and finished products.
• Package, label, and secure products per customer and internal specifications.
• Load outbound shipments using forklifts, ensuring accuracy and safe weight distribution.
• Generate or verify documentation such as pick lists, packing slips, and shipping labels.
• Work with the Logistics team to support on‑time and accurate order fulfillment.

• Maintain material accuracy by performing cycle counts and reporting discrepancies.
• Ensure accurate data entry in ERP for all material movements and transactions.
• Maintain a clean and organized warehouse, labeling storage areas for efficiency and safety.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities related to material flow and logistics efficiency.

• Ability to safely operate material‑handling equipment and follow all safety procedures.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Basic computer proficiency (ERP, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, prints, and shipping documents.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Detail‑oriented with commitment to accuracy and quality.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1–3 years of experience in shipping, receiving, or warehouse operations preferred.
• Experience operating overhead cranes preferred.
• Familiarity with ERP systems or computerized inventory management a plus.
• Regular standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Regular pushing, pulling, twisting, and operation of forklifts or cranes.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and focus in a fast‑paced manufacturing setting.