Material Handler

AUSTIN POWDER COMPANY; Red Diamond (OH); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Powder seeks a Helix Plant Material Handler to move raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods safely within the facility. You will stage materials for production and transfer finished products to storage or loadout areas, while supporting cleaning and teardown.

The role requires attention to detail, physical capability, and strict adherence to SOPs and Basis of Safety documentation. Forklift/pallet jack operation, accurate record-keeping, labeling, and teamwork are essential to

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 2 years in industrial, manufacturing, warehouse, logistics or similar physical work environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly (up to 2–3 minutes during high-volume tasks).
• Ability to stand for extended periods, operate material handling equipment, and navigate stairs/ladders.
• Basic computer literacy to complete digital logs and training modules.
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn basic equipment teardown/reassembly.
• Ability to wear required PPE in energetic material areas.

Responsibilities

• Receive, stage, and deliver raw materials per production schedules.
• Transfer finished goods to storage or outbound shipping zones.
• Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and related equipment (training provided).
• Maintain records of material movements, lot tracking, and inventory usage.
• Ensure proper labeling, segregation, and handling of energetic and non-energetic materials.
• Assist cleaning, teardown, and equipment support activities; verify equipment readiness for startup.
• Follow SOPs, safety procedures, and Basis of Safety documentation.
• Communicate material needs and system status to operators and supervisors.
• Support continuous improvement in workflow and materials management.

Skills

Lifting 50 lbs

Standing/ Physical stamina

Mechanical aptitude

PPE compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Forklifts

Pallet jacks

Job description

Job Summary

The Helix Plant Material Handler is responsible for the safe, efficient, and accurate movement of all raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods within the Helix energetic materials facility. This includes staging materials for production, transferring finished products to designated storage and loadout areas, supporting equipment cleaning and teardown, and maintaining a clean, organized, and compliant production environment. Material Handlers play a critical role in ensuring production runs smoothly by keeping materials flowing and maintaining readiness for daily operations. This role requires strong attention to detail, physical capability, and strict adherence to operating procedures and Basis of Safety documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, stage, and deliver raw materials to appropriate process areas in accordance with production schedules.
• Transfer finished goods from production areas to designated storage or outbound shipping zones.
• Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment (training provided if required).
• Maintain accurate records of material movements, lot tracking, and inventory usage.
• Ensure proper labeling, segregation, and handling of energetic and non-energetic materials.
• Cleaning, Teardown & Equipment Support
  • Perform routine cleaning of process areas to maintain compliance with SOPs and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
  • Disassemble equipment components for cleaning, inspection, and reassembly under supervision.
  • Verify equipment is clean, properly reassembled, and ready for use prior to startup.
  • Assist with waste collection, staging, and proper disposal in accordance with environmental and safety guidelines.
• Safety, Compliance & Basis of Safety
  • Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety procedures, and Basis of Safety documentation.
  • Adhere to strict PPE requirements in all energetic material handling areas.
  • Immediately report abnormalities, unsafe conditions, or equipment concerns.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant work environment at all times.
  • Understand and respect safety controls related to energetic materials, including grounding/bonding, housekeeping standards, and static control.
• Teamwork & Communication
  • Communicate clearly with production operators, control room staff, maintenance, and supervisors regarding material needs and system status.
  • Support production by anticipating material requirements and preventing bottlenecks.
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to learn across multiple tasks and departments.
  • Assist with continuous improvement initiatives related to workflow, housekeeping, and materials management.
• Professional Expectations
  • Report on time and prepared to perform assigned duties.
  • Work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to take direction and provide feedback through appropriate channels.
  • Uphold confidentiality, security, and safe-handling protocols associated with energetic materials.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in an industrial, manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, or similar physical work environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly (up to once every 2–3 minutes during high-volume tasks).
• Ability to stand for extended periods, operate material handling equipment, and navigate stairs and ladders as required.
• Basic computer literacy to complete digital logs, inventory entries, and required training modules.
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn basic equipment teardown and reassembly.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including but not limited to site‑specific protective equipment.

Austin Powder is an Equal Opportunity and Affinity Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job‑related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Austin Powder also participates in E-Verify. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

SINCE 1833, IMPROVING THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. Austin Powder has been making explosives for over 190 years and we take great pride in improving the world we live in. In 1833, the Austin family created the company to produce black powder that would help break the rock, mine the minerals and build the canals and railroads to develop the frontier. Initially along the banks of the Cuyahoga River near Akron, Ohio, we grew as the country grew. Today, Austin Powder is a world leader in the industrial explosives industry with a passionate commitment towards safety, a relentless customer focus, a family culture work environment, and a demonstration of respect of towards all. As in our early years, our mission continues to be to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives. Our success has been based on our core values and this has proven to be universally true around the globe as the company has expanded to be one of the leading providers of industrial explosives and blasting services in the world.