Lead Material Handler - First Shift

Work Schedule

First Shift (Days)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Cold Room/Freezers -22degreesF/-6degrees C, Fluctuating Temps hot/cold, Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Standing for full shift, Various outside weather conditions, Warehouse, Will work with hazardous/toxic materials, Working at heights

Job Description

Lead Material Handler

St. Louis, MO | On-site | Supply Chain / Warehouse Operations

How You Will Make an Impact

As Lead Material Handler, you will provide day-to-day leadership for an assigned shift or warehouse area to ensure safe, compliant, and on-time material flow supporting production and customer delivery commitments. You will coordinate work for the team, balance priorities across receiving, inventory, picking, staging, and shipping, and serve as a trusted operational resource for the supervisor while reinforcing quality, documentation, and safety standards.

What You Will Do

• Create daily work plans and assign tasks to material handlers based on inbound, outbound, inventory, and production support priorities.
• Coordinate dock schedules, picks, line feed, replenishment, staging, and shipments to meet service and schedule commitments.
• Monitor work queues, system transactions, paperwork, and handoffs to ensure accurate and timely execution.
• Conduct start-of-shift huddles, communicate priorities and safety messages, and provide direction throughout the day.
• Coach, train, and onboard associates; reinforce SOP adherence, quality expectations, and safe work practices.
• Resolve routine operational issues and escalate staffing, system, equipment, and material constraints to the supervisor.
• Review receiving, inventory, and shipping documentation for completeness and accuracy, as permitted by procedure.
• Support cycle counts, audits, investigations, and corrective actions related to inventory accuracy and warehouse compliance.
• Track basic KPIs and help identify opportunities to improve layout, slotting, travel time, accuracy, and throughput.
• Promote a respectful, safety-first culture and support change management and continuous improvement initiatives.

How You Will Get Here

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Leadership or supervisory training preferred.
• Advanced safety/OSHA and equipment certifications strongly preferred.

Experience

• 4 years of progressive warehouse or distribution experience with demonstrated leadership.
• Broad knowledge across receiving, inventory, production support, picking, staging, and shipping.
• Experience coordinating work for others, training associates, and making sound operational decisions; regulated or cGMP experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Expert knowledge of WMS/ERP transactions and end-to-end warehouse processes.
• Ability to balance labor, prioritize work, and manage competing operational demands.
• Advanced problem-solving and escalation management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication and ability to lead shift handoffs effectively.
• Ability to create basic reports and track operational metrics in Excel/Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrates trustworthiness, accountability, coaching ability, and continuous improvement mindset.

Physical Requirements

• Mobility between warehouse, dock, and production areas, including exposure to inclement weather when moving between buildings.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs on a regular basis and operate material handling equipment as needed.
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods while providing floor leadership, coaching, and operational support.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.