Material Handler Lead

Reports to/Supervision: Retail Manager The Material Handler Lead supports the daily movement, handling, staging, and organization of donated merchandise and furniture. This hands-on lead helps coordinate team activities, reinforces safe material-handling practices, and ensures merchandise moves efficiently from receiving and processing areas to the sales floor or customer pickup. The position provides day-to-day direction while escalating staffing, performance, and operational concerns to management. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES Lead daily material-handling activities by communicating priorities, assigning tasks as directed by management, and helping the team maintain an organized workflow. Assist with receiving and unloading furniture, merchandise, and donations; inspect items for obvious damage or safety concerns and escalate questions appropriately. Coordinate the timely movement of priced merchandise and furniture to designated staging areas and the sales floor, following established rotation and product-flow standards. Oversee safe wrapping, staging, and loading of customer furniture purchases and coordinate loadouts to provide timely, courteous service. Operate forklifts only when currently trained, evaluated, and authorized for the equipment and worksite; perform required pre-use inspections and follow all equipment safety procedures. Guide team members in proper lifting, carrying, equipment use, and safe handling of bulky or fragile merchandise; report hazards and incidents promptly. Maintain orderly storage, walkways, loading areas, carts, and equipment to prevent damage, congestion, and trip hazards. Assist with furniture and fixture moves for merchandising changes, floor resets, and seasonal needs as directed by management. Help train new and existing employees on material-handling procedures, safety practices, merchandise placement, and customer service expectations. Monitor progress against daily workload and productivity expectations; communicate delays, shortages, and opportunities for improvement to management. Work collaboratively with retail, donation receiving, processing, warehouse, and management teams to support timely merchandise flow. Provide respectful, professional assistance to customers and donors, including questions related to furniture pickup and loading. Keep communication devices active when assigned and respond promptly to operational needs. Model attendance, teamwork, professionalism, and adherence to company policies; bring ongoing conduct or performance concerns to the manager rather than independently issuing discipline. Assist with opening or closing assigned work areas and perform other duties as assigned. PHYSICAL / ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS Frequent standing, walking, lifting, carrying, bending, reaching, and handling of merchandise throughout the workday. Work may occur on the sales floor, in donation and processing areas, and in loading or storage areas. Moderate physical activity is required daily, with occasional strenuous activity. Employees must follow all safety procedures and use assistance or equipment when appropriate. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. WORK SCHEDULE / HOURS Schedule and full-time or part-time classification are determined by operational needs and the position offered. Work may be scheduled Monday through Saturday, including required meetings, training, and occasional events. BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY Benefits are based on employment classification and the terms of current SADC benefit plans and policies. Eligible offerings may include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), employer-paid life insurance, paid time off, holidays, and an employee discount. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Commitment to the mission of Sunshine Acres Children’s H…

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