Material Handler

Location: Farmington, NY

Company: Pioneer Millworks

Reports To: Assistant General Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Worker Category: Full-Time

Position Overview

The Material Handler plays an essential role in keeping Pioneer Millworks’ production operations moving safely, efficiently, and accurately. This position is responsible for receiving, moving, sorting, staging, preparing, and organizing raw materials and finished products used to create our reclaimed and sustainable wood flooring, paneling, siding, and custom wood products.

Working throughout our production areas, the Material Handler will use forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, and other material-handling equipment to move lumber and finished products between receiving, storage, production, finishing, and shipping areas. The role requires strong attention to detail, physical stamina, good judgment, and a willingness to work collaboratively in a hands-on manufacturing environment.

Because our materials are often reclaimed, each load of lumber can be unique. The ideal candidate understands that good material handling is more than simply moving wood—it is about protecting valuable materials, recognizing what production needs, maintaining an organized workspace, and helping the team turn reclaimed resources into high-quality products.

Key Responsibilities

Material Handling & Production Support

• Safely load, unload, move, stack, and stage raw materials, work-in-process materials, and finished products throughout the facility.
• Receive and organize reclaimed lumber, flooring, siding, paneling, and other materials.
• Sort and stage materials according to product, species, dimensions, grade, project, or production requirements.
• Supply production teams with the materials needed to maintain an efficient workflow.
• Move work-in-process materials between production stages while protecting finished surfaces and product quality.
• Assist production employees with loading and unloading lumber and other materials as needed.
• Prepare materials and finished products for shipping, delivery, or customer pickup.
• Accurately identify, label, and organize materials to maintain traceability and prevent errors.
• Assist with inventory counts and communicate material shortages, discrepancies, or damaged materials to appropriate team members.

Equipment Operation

• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, and other material-handling equipment safely and responsibly.
• Perform routine inspections of material-handling equipment and report maintenance or safety concerns.
• Follow established procedures for lifting, stacking, securing, and transporting materials.
• Maintain appropriate clearances and safe traffic patterns throughout production and warehouse areas.
• Obtain and maintain required equipment certifications, including forklift certification, as applicable.

Quality & Material Stewardship

• Handle reclaimed and finished wood products carefully to minimize damage, waste, and unnecessary material loss.
• Recognize and communicate obvious defects, damage, or discrepancies in materials.
• Help maintain proper organization and storage practices to protect wood from damage and deterioration.
• Take pride in the quality and appearance of products being produced and shipped to customers.
• Help identify opportunities to improve material flow, organization, efficiency, and waste reduction.

Safety, Organization & Housekeeping

• Follow all company safety policies and established operating procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, and accessible work areas throughout the facility.
• Participate in routine housekeeping, cleanup, and shop organization.
• Safely handle materials of varying sizes, weights, shapes, and conditions.
• Report hazards, near misses, injuries, damaged equipment, or unsafe conditions promptly.
• Use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Contribute to a culture where safety, craftsmanship, respect, and accountability are expected from everyone.

Teamwork & Communication

• Work closely with production, finishing, warehouse, shipping, and leadership teams to keep materials flowing efficiently.
• Communicate clearly when materials are missing, damaged, misplaced, or needed urgently.
• Ask questions when material requirements or instructions are unclear.
• Maintain a positive, dependable, team-oriented approach in a fast-paced production environment.
• Support other production and warehouse activities as needed.

Core Competencies

Material Awareness – Understands how to safely and efficiently handle lumber and other materials while recognizing the importance of protecting unique reclaimed products.

Safety Mindset – Consistently follows safe work practices and takes responsibility for the safety of themselves and those around them.

Attention to Detail – Accurately identifies, organizes, labels, stages, and moves materials while minimizing errors and damage.

Reliability & Accountability – Arrives prepared, follows through on responsibilities, and can be counted on to keep production moving.

Physical Capability – Comfortable performing physically demanding work, including standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, and working around large and heavy materials.

Teamwork – Works effectively with people across production, warehouse, shipping, and administrative functions.

Adaptability – Comfortable working with varying materials, changing production priorities, and the unique characteristics of reclaimed wood.

Continuous Improvement – Looks for practical ways to improve organization, efficiency, material flow, safety, and waste reduction.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience preferred.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing, warehouse, construction, lumber, woodworking, or material-handling environment preferred.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment as required by the position.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Basic ability to identify and distinguish different materials, dimensions, quantities, and product information.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work environment.

Preferred

• Previous forklift or powered industrial truck experience.
• Experience working with lumber, reclaimed wood, building materials, or other natural materials.
• Experience in a woodworking, manufacturing, construction, or production environment.
• Familiarity with inventory, material tracking, or shipping processes.
• Experience using measuring tools such as tape measures and basic dimensional measurement.
• Basic understanding of lumber species, grades, dimensions, or wood products.

Physical & Work Environment

This is a hands-on manufacturing position performed primarily in a production and lumber yard environment.

The employee must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently bend, stoop, reach, twist, kneel, and climb.
• Lift and carry materials and equipment of varying weights.
• Push and pull carts, pallet jacks, and other equipment.
• Work around machinery, forklifts, sawdust, wood dust, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Safely work with large, heavy, and irregularly shaped pieces of lumber.
• Wear required PPE, including safety footwear, hearing protection, eye protection, and respiratory protection when required.

What We Value

At Pioneer Millworks, we believe that the materials we work with have a story worth preserving. We reclaim wood that might otherwise be discarded and transform it into beautiful, durable products with a new life.

We are looking for people who take pride in meaningful work, care about the quality of what they produce, and understand that every role—from material handling to production to sales—contributes to the experience our customers have with our products.

We value people who:

• Put People First – Treat coworkers, customers, and partners with respect and consideration.
• Care for the Planet – Understand the environmental value of reclaiming and responsibly sourcing materials.
• Pursue Profit with Purpose – Recognize that a healthy business allows us to continue investing in our people, our products, and our mission.
• Take pride in craftsmanship and doing things the right way.
• Bring a positive, collaborative attitude to their work.
• Look for ways to learn, improve, and contribute.

About us:

This position is full-time with a flexible schedule and great benefits, including 70% company-paid medical, paid holidays and PTO, a matching 401k plan, dental, and vision.

Pioneer Millworks is a 100% employee-owned company. Through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), employees receive ownership shares over time, allowing them to build meaningful long-term wealth while contributing to the success of the company.

When the company succeeds, our employee-owners benefit directly.

Pioneer Millworks is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We operate on the triple bottom line philosophy, putting equal emphasis on people, planet, and profit. We’ve been designing and crafting custom homes and fine woodworking from our shops in New York and Oregon for 40+ years with our 150+ craftspeople, carpenters, designers, dreamers, and community members.

If you think you’re a good fit, please apply today. We look forward to learning more about you.

Compensation may vary depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.