Distribution Technician

Houstonmethodistcareers; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist distributes supply orders across its network hospitals and offsite centers. The Distribution Tech fills orders, performs routine packaging, and supports inventory control to ensure timely restocking and shipment readiness.

The role supports hospital-based Par Replenishment Teams and aligns with defined schedules to maintain stock integrity across campuses. Strong teamwork and attention to safety are essential in this fast-paced healthcare logistics environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates effective customer service and communication.
• Basic knowledge of logistics/material handling practices, focusing on order fulfillment and inventory control.
• Ability to complete work within designated time frames.

Responsibilities

• Accurately filling supply orders for network hospitals, offsite centers, and departments.
• Support HM Distribution Center with packaging, shipment prep, and safety/compliance.

Skills

Customer service

Inventory control

Order fulfillment

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Distribution Tech position is responsible for accurately filling all supply orders submitted by Houston Methodist's network hospitals, offsite clinical care centers and corporate departments. This position supports the efforts of the offsite, HM Distribution Center through routine tasks associated with order fulfillment, standardized packaging, shipment preparation and best practices for inventory control. The Distribution Tech position provides support to hospital-based Par Replenishment Teams for low unit of measure (LUM) supply replenishment and with respect to their defined schedules for re-stocking clinical care areas at each campus.

FLSA STATUS

Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Two years of experience working in a material handling/distribution environment required.
• Prior experience in a healthcare product distribution or related industry preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• MHE HM - Houston Methodist Material Handling Equipment Certified (HM) - Houston Methodist Two year renewal required within 60 days

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
• Basic knowledge of current logistics/material handling practices and procedures with a specific emphasis on order fulfillment and inventory control processes.
• Ability to complete work within designated time frames.
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating a personal computer or hand-held device for completing basic inventory control procedures.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a team-focused work unit that actively helps one another achieve department goals. Works with Logistics Shift Lead and fellow technicians to find the most efficient means for completing assigned orders and meet the day’s scheduled truck departures.
• Works collaboratively with the Sr. Distribution Techs to locate items that require restocking or recently processed within the receiving area and staged for put away.
• Interacts with co-workers and customers in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve outstanding customer service. Communicates clearly and professionally to promote both work efforts and problem resolution.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Properly identifies self as order processor through completion of orders and accepts accountability for items incorrectly pulled and shipped.
• Ensures all fulfilled supply orders are complete and properly palletized according to the designation provided for each Material Stock Request (MSR) and with consideration toward defined schedules for delivery.
• Works with Inventory Control staff in identifying inaccuracies related to item storage location, labeling, and incorrect units of measure or item expiration. Corrects verifiable errors for work completed and demonstrates a learned approach to preventing similar errors for future work assigned.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains a high level of accuracy as determined by the department.
• Maintains an hourly rate of productivity as determined by the department.
• Participates in spot-check verification processes to evaluate order accuracy and packaging effectiveness.
• Maintains a high level of awareness for navigating through areas prone to lift-truck operation and reports unsafe practices should they be observed. Identifies and reports any visible damage to warehouse rack componentry or Material Handling Equipment that is deemed unsafe for use.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Exhibits safe product handling and packaging techniques to reduce the need to reship incorrect or damaged products to end users.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize department daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime.
• Participates in all scheduled physical inventory events and selected cycle counts to maintain inventory levels within an acceptable standard and to ensure product availability to our patients.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality or services. Participates in special projects and department initiatives and seeks opportunities to expand learning with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.
• Exhibits a progression toward understanding and exhibiting the required skills for receiving and stocking practices and the direct correlation to the order fulfillment side of the operations.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**

**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Two years of experience working in a material handling/distribution environment required.
• Prior experience in a healthcare product distribution or related industry preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• MHE HM - Houston Methodist Material Handling Equipment Certified (HM) - Houston Methodist Two year renewal required within 60 days