Material Handler
Company: Vortex Freight Systems
Location: Laredo, TX
Job Summary:
As a Material Handler at Vortex Freight Systems, you are responsible for the safe, accurate, and efficient movement of freight across our daily cross-dock operations. This role involves manually and mechanically loading, unloading, routing, and staging inbound and outbound shipments. You will operate forklifts and pallet jacks, utilize RF scanners for accurate tracking, and work closely with dock leadership and drivers to ensure timely cross-border freight transit while strictly adhering to safety standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations & Freight Handling
- Load and unload LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) and FTL (Full Truckload) freight safely, ensuring proper space utilization, weight distribution, and securement to prevent transit damage.
- Scan, weigh, label, and route incoming and outgoing freight accurately using RF scanners and the Warehouse Management System (WMS).
- Stage outbound freight efficiently to help the team meet strict dispatch schedules and cross-border transit deadlines.
- Identify and immediately report any overages, shortages, damages (OS&D), or improperly packaged shipments to the Dock Supervisor.
- Assist drivers with loading/unloading and coordinate with dock leadership to maintain a smooth flow of incoming and outgoing volume.
Safety & Compliance
- Strictly adhere to OSHA safety standards, company policies, and hazardous materials (HazMat) handling protocols to help maintain a zero-incident work environment.
- Actively participate in daily pre-shift meetings (tailgate meetings) to review safety protocols, shift goals, and operational updates.
- Perform comprehensive pre-shift and post-shift inspections of assigned equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks) to ensure everything is in safe working order prior to use.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and debris-free dock floor and staging area at all times in accordance with 5S methodology.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience: 1+ years of hands-on experience in an LTL, FTL, warehouse, or high-volume cross-dock freight environment.
- Language Skills: Bilingual (English and Spanish) is highly preferred due to the nature of our Laredo cross-border operations.
- Technical Skills: Experience operating RF scanners and basic familiarity with tracking freight in Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
- Certifications: Valid forklift certification (or ability to obtain one upon hire) and proven hands-on experience operating material handling equipment such as sit-down forklifts and electric pallet jacks.
- Knowledge: Strong understanding of general warehouse safety, proper lifting techniques, and basic OSHA compliance (HazMat handling awareness is a plus).
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, and remain active on the concrete dock floor for 8–10 hours per shift.
- Ability to safely lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 lbs on a regular basis without assistance.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, non-climate-controlled warehouse environment that is subject to seasonal temperature fluctuations.
