Material Handling Team Leader
Company Overview: At Slip Robotics, we are at the forefront of revolutionizing the logistics and automation industry with cutting-edge robotic solutions. Our mission is to transform the way goods move through the world by designing and building autonomous systems that enhance warehouse intelligence, optimize supply chains, and ensure workplace safety. We believe in the power of innovation and collaboration, and our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in robotics. Join us and help shape the future of automation!
Position Overview: The Material Handling Team Lead owns all internal material flow on our production floor — from incoming receiving and inspection through line-side presentation, end-of-line pick, pack, and ship, and every material movement in between. That includes sizing and replenishing point-of-use storage (supermarkets) at each line, order picking for deliveries between departments, and keeping the production floor clear of packaging waste. You will lead our material handlers directly and coordinate with the Logistics Manager, who sets inventory strategy and replenishment policy, on staffing and cross-functional priorities.
Success in this role means driving continuous improvement in material handling, inventory accuracy, and cycle counting, and it shows up in the numbers: on-time internal and external delivery performance, cycle count progress and accuracy, uninterrupted material flow to every production line, and efficient use of the team's labor hours.
This is a working lead role. You will work alongside a team of two material handlers, cover the floor personally when volume demands it, and serve as the day-to-day point of contact for storage discipline in the production warehouse.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the receiving process: verify incoming parts and materials against packing lists and purchase orders, and catch discrepancies or damage before they reach the floor
- Route material to incoming inspection when required, and put away accurate, complete receipts the same day
- Keep the receiving dock organized and staged so inbound material never backs up
- Own line-side material presentation — no build stops because a part that is in the building isn't where it needs to be
- Kit subassemblies to support production, staging parts and components ahead of the line's need
- Size and replenish supermarket (point-of-use) locations at each line against the production schedule and kanban signals
- Pick and deliver materials for intra-plant moves between departments and work centers
- Execute the replenishment triggers and min/max levels set by the Logistics Manager, and flag when a part or location needs a level adjusted
- Escalate shortages immediately, with the part, the quantity, and the build it will stop
- Keep the line and surrounding areas de-trashed and clear of packaging waste so material movement is never obstructed
- Own end-of-line pick, pack, and ship for finished goods leaving the production floor
- Keep the line and surrounding areas de-trashed and clear of packaging waste so material movement is never obstructed
- Oversee inventory management and control against established inventory guidelines and procedures
- Own the physical layout of the production warehouse: defined, labeled locations that match how the line consumes parts
- Enforce 5S and storage standards across the stockroom and floor — nothing stored without a location, nothing left unlabeled
- Keep transactions accurate and current in the warehouse/inventory system: receipts, put-away, issues to work orders, and moves, logged the same day they happen
- Lead and improve material and inventory management practices — cycle count accuracy, transaction discipline, bar coding/RFID use, and fill rate — and drive variances to root cause
- Partner with Quality, Purchasing, and Production to resolve material-driven quality and delivery issues and hit shared KPIs
- Keep a high level of communication flowing between planning, purchasing, and production so nothing gets lost between departments
- Coordinate daily work assignments and schedules for the team of two material handlers, and cover their work personally during peak volume or absences
- Flag staffing gaps or workload imbalances to the Logistics Manager so the team's capacity matches the day's workload
- Train and certify the team on forklift and other powered industrial truck operation
- Reinforce safety practices in the material handling areas you work in — traffic patterns, pedestrian separation, rack loading limits, and PPE compliance
- Coordinate with the Logistics Manager on staffing, coverage, and cross-training so the floor never depends on one person
Requirements
- 2+ years in material handling, warehouse, or production materials, including some experience guiding or coordinating the work of others
- Hands-on experience receiving, storing, and replenishing parts in a warehouse or manufacturing environment
- Safety-first mindset and comfortable holding others accountable to it
- Organized and detail-oriented — you notice when a location, label, or count is off before it becomes a problem
- Physical capability to work on a production floor: lifting up to 50 lbs, extended standing and walking
Preferred:
- Experience in robotics, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, or another low-volume, high-complexity build environment
- Prior experience as a lead or supervisor in a warehouse or stockroom setting
- Familiarity with kitting, point-of-use replenishment, or kanban systems
- Exposure to Lean or 5S practices
- Familiarity with barcode scanning, labeling, and serialized or lot-traceable parts
- Bilingual English/Spanish
Benefits
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Slip Robotics is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate candidates on the merits of their experience and their fit for the role. We welcome applicants from every background.
