Warehouse General Labor Material Handler

Material Handler I

The Material Handler I plays a key role in the daily operations of the warehouse. Reporting to the Supervisor, you will be responsible for the sortation, movement, placement, and overall condition of materials, including pallets, totes, and merchandise. This position requires strong attention to detail and the ability to perform minor repairs to ensure products meet quality standards before shipment.

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, PLA is a national supply chain solutions provider offering Pallet Management Services, 3PL Services, Reverse Logistics Services, and Freight Brokerage & Transportation Management Services, handling over 115 million pallets per year for over 1,500 customers. Now one of the largest pallet manufacturing and recycling companies in the United States, PLA has over 76 facilities, employing upwards of 3500 employees across 23 states, and is still looking for opportunities for growth, both organically and through acquisition.

What We Offer:

• Daily Pay Option – Access your earnings before payday.
• Weekly Pay – Get paid on time, every week.
• PTO (Paid Time Off).
• Full Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – 3 medical plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield with low weekly premiums starting at $28.75.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Company contribution up to $750 annually with tax-advantaged savings.
• 401(k) retirement plan featuring up to a 4% employer match, eligibility the first of the month after 90 days, and access to a Financial Wellness Consultant.
• Flexible Benefits – Multiple plan options to fit your needs and budget.
• Prescription Drug Coverage – Low copays starting at $10 for generic medications.
• FREE Life Insurance & AD&D – Basic coverage provided at no cost upon employment.
• Vision Benefits – $10 eye exams and $150 frame allowance through Superior Vision by MetLife starting at $1.46 per week.
• Dental Coverage – 100% preventive care coverage with MetLife plans starting at $5.76 per week.
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability (STD) – Income replacement up to 60% of weekly covered earnings for a non-work-related injury or illness.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free and confidential support for work stress, grief, legal/financial issues, and more.
• Additional Voluntary Benefits – MetLife Legal and Identity Theft Services and Pet Insurance with ASPCA.
• LifeMart employee discounts (through ADP) on everyday stuff and larger purchases.
• Dell Employee Purchase Program (EPP) discounts available for personal use.

What You'll Be Doing:

Reporting to the Supervisor, the Pallet Sorter is responsible for ensuring pallets meet PLA standards and production goals. Your responsibilities will include:

• Safely removing lodged or adjacent debris from incoming pallets.
• Manually sorting pallets by hand in a neat and orderly fashion based on type criteria (e.g., color, manufacturer) and condition criteria (e.g., amount/extent of damaged or missing boards, raised or exposed nails, missing blocks).
• Inspecting pallets thoroughly while sorting to ensure all quality criteria are met.
• Maintaining a clean and orderly work area throughout the shift.
• Maintaining an established rate per hour to ensure productivity, efficiency, and safety.
• Maintaining safe working conditions by following guidelines and procedures for handling all related equipment and material.
• Complying with all PLA policies and procedures, as well as federal and state safety rules.
• Assisting with other duties as assigned to support and improve overall team operations.
• Adjusting as needed to new reporting relationships, work assignments, or work schedules to meet company needs and business requirements.
• Cooperating and work well with team members and management, maintaining clear and open communications at all times.
• Consistent and reliable attendance at work is an essential function of this job.

What We're Looking For:

• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify defects and specific criteria in pallets.
• Ability to perform repetitive physical tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe workspace.
• Experience in a fast-paced environment, with ability to meet production rates.
• Reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication skills and ability to cooperate with colleagues and management.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and lift for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Capable of repeatedly lifting and moving pallets and materials, which may be heavy.
• Requires good manual dexterity and tactile sensitivity for inspecting pallet condition.
• Ability to hear and understand verbal instructions and safety alarms in a warehouse environment.
• Excellent vision (including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus) for inspecting pallets and observing surroundings for safety.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily work in a warehouse environment. This may include exposure to dust, fluctuating temperatures (hot and cold), and moderate to high noise levels. Steel-toed boots and other personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required.

PLA and its Family of Companies is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request by contacting View email address on click.appcast.io. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized because of such a request.