Material Operator

MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL; Cookeville (TN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Milwaukee Tool is seeking a Material Operator to support manufacturing by receiving, storing, moving, stocking, and shipping materials while maintaining inventory accuracy. You will operate forklifts and high-reach trucks, unload shipments, and ensure safe, efficient flow of materials to sustain uninterrupted production.

Responsibilities include inventory transactions in the ERP system, cycle counts, and collaboration with production, warehouse, and shipping teams.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Moderate proficiency to read and communicate in English.
• Forklift Certification (Milwaukee will train).
• Attention to detail and accuracy in material handling.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate material handling equipment (forklifts, high-reach trucks up to 30 ft, swing-reach trucks).
• Receive inbound shipments and verify against receiving documentation.
• Transfer inventory to storage locations and maintain accuracy in ERP system transactions.
• Store and organize raw materials, components, and finished goods to maximize safety and efficiency.
• Support continuous production flow with timely replenishment at workstations.
• Load/unload trailers and ship customer orders with accuracy.

Skills

Forklift operation

Inventory accuracy

Safety mindset

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Urgency & speed

Candid communication

Relentless improvement

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift Certification

Job description

Job Description:

Job Title: Material Operator

Department: Materials

Your Role on Our Team

At Milwaukee Tool, we are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative solutions to our users. The Material Operator plays a critical role in supporting manufacturing operations by ensuring the safe, accurate, and efficient flow of materials throughout the facility. This position is responsible for receiving, storing, moving, stocking, and shipping materials while maintaining inventory accuracy and supporting uninterrupted production. The role focuses on safety, operational efficiency, and system accuracy in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You’ll be DISRUPTIVE through these duties and responsibilities

• Consistently demonstrates safety first mindset; follows all safety related processes and procedures, quickly escalates safety related concerns or issues to create a safe work environment for all employees.
• Safely and efficiently operate material handling equipment, including forklifts, high-reach trucks (up to 30 feet), and swing-reach trucks, while meeting productivity, quality, and safety standards.
• Load and unload trailers, containers, and transportation vehicles safely, efficiently, and in compliance with established procedures.
• Maintain work area per 6s facility standards without direction.
• Execute material handling activities based on operational requirements, which may include equipment operation, production line replenishment, container unloading, shipping support, or a combination of warehouse and production support functions.
• Receive inbound shipments, verify materials against receiving documentation, and accurately transfer inventory to designated storage locations in accordance with established procedures.
• Store, stack, and organize raw materials, components, and finished goods to maximize safety, space utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure continuous production flow by timely replenishment of materials and components at assembly and manufacturing workstations.
• Transport finished goods from production areas to designated staging, warehouse, or shipping locations in a safe and efficient manner.
• Return excess, unused, or recovered materials to appropriate inventory locations and complete all required inventory transactions accurately.
• Pick, prepare, stage, load, and ship customer orders while verifying product accuracy, quantities, and shipping destinations.
• Maintain accurate inventory records through timely system transactions and proper documentation of material movements to support inventory integrity and ERP system accuracy.
• Perform daily equipment inspections, maintain required operating and safety logs, and adhere to all company safety, quality, and operational policies and procedures.
• Support warehouse and production team objectives through flexibility, teamwork, and effective communication across departments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance safety, efficiency, accuracy, and overall operational performance.
• Assist with cycle counts, physical inventories, and inventory reconciliation activities as assigned.
• Must be able to work unsupervised and handle multiple tasks.
• Collaborate with production, warehouse, quality, and shipping teams to ensure materials are available and moved efficiently throughout the operation.
• Ability to work overtime with advanced or little notice.
• All other duties as assigned.

The TOOLS you’ll bring with you:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Moderate proficiency to read and communicate in English
• Forklift Certification (Milwaukee will train)
• Attention to detail
• Speed, Agility & Urgency - Demonstrates a proactive sense of urgency by accurately moving, staging, and replenishing materials to support production demands, quickly adapting to changing priorities while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• User Focused, Solution Driven - Maintain a strong attention to detail and accuracy to ensure products meet quality expectations for a positive end user experience.
• Extreme Ownership - Takes full responsibility for individual performance, equipment, inventory accuracy, and operational results by proactively identifying issues, driving solutions, and following through on commitments to support team and business objectives.
• One Team Mentality - Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality, supporting smooth operations and team success
• Disruptive Mindset - Bring positive energy that motivates others while working independently or alongside a team
• Candid - Support a culture of transparency and accountability across the production floor through honest, direct feedback
• Relentless Improvement - The initiative to identify opportunities for process improvement, raising the standard for yourself and your team.

Working Conditions:

The employee may be required to frequently lift, carry, push or pull up to 35 pounds

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision,