Material Management Associate Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Founded in 1983, Kele Inc. is a leading distribution, and solutions partner with national reach and a global presence. Built around our customers and powered by our people, Kele provides millions of in-stock parts from more than 300 brands to drive automation & efficiency in nearly every type of facility, from office towers and factories to data centers and hospitals.

Our goal is to empower progress for maintenance managers, engineers, contractors, and all those building the future. We do this by delivering parts rapidly, providing custom assemblies upstream, and offering unmatched support to ensure projects run smoothly and downtime is minimized.

With 12 locations nationwide and headquarters in Tennessee, Kele combines deep technical expertise, rapid logistics, and a solutions-first mindset to help customers simplify supply chains, meet tight schedules, and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Kele fosters a culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and customer obsession, empowering associates at every level to contribute, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

We are currently hiring for the role of Material Handler.

SUMMARY

The Material Handler / Water Spider is responsible for supporting efficient production operations by ensuring materials, components, supplies, and finished goods are moved safely and accurately throughout the facility. This position serves as a key link between material storage areas, receiving, production, assembly, and other operational areas.

The primary focus of the role is to keep production areas supplied with the materials needed to maintain continuous workflow while removing completed work, empty containers, packaging, scrap, and other materials from production areas as required. The Material Handler / Water Spider is expected to proactively monitor material needs, respond to production priorities, maintain organized material flow, and help prevent production interruptions caused by material shortages or movement delays.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver raw materials, components, subassemblies, packaging, supplies, and other required items to designated production and assembly areas.
• Replenish point-of-use material and production supply locations to ensure operators have the materials needed to perform their work.
• Monitor material usage and proactively replenish materials before shortages affect production.
• Move work-in-process (WIP), completed assemblies, finished goods, and other materials between designated areas of the facility.
• Remove empty containers, totes, pallets, carts, packaging materials, scrap, and other items from production areas to maintain an orderly workflow.
• Pick up completed material from production areas and transport it to the appropriate next operation, staging location, inventory area, or shipping location.
• Stage materials in accordance with production schedules, work orders, established routes, or direction from production and materials leadership.
• Verify material part numbers, quantities, labels, locations, and other identifying information when picking up, delivering, or moving materials.
• Maintain proper material identification and segregation throughout the material handling process.
• Assist with receiving, put-away, stocking, picking, staging, and inventory movement activities as needed.
• Perform material transactions, scans, or other inventory system activities as required to maintain accurate inventory records.
• Communicate material shortages, discrepancies, damaged material, incorrect quantities, or other issues to the appropriate team members.
• Coordinate with production employees, team leads, supervisors, warehouse personnel, and other departments to prioritize material movement based on operational needs.
• Respond promptly to requests for material while balancing scheduled material replenishment routes and production priorities.
• Maintain clean, organized, and clearly identified material staging and storage areas.
• Help maintain established 5S and visual workplace standards throughout production and material handling areas.
• Safely operate carts, pallet jacks, forklifts, tuggers, or other material handling equipment when trained and authorized.
• Identify and communicate unsafe conditions, material flow problems, recurring shortages, excessive inventory, or other opportunities to improve workplace safety and efficiency.
• Support cycle counting, physical inventory, material reconciliation, and inventory accuracy activities as assigned.
• Support continuous improvement activities related to material presentation, material routes, inventory locations, workplace organization, and production flow.
• Perform other material handling, warehouse, production support, and facility-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to appropriately respond to questions from managers or other team members
• Basic computer skills required.  May be required to use RF equipment
• Forklift experience required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift or move up to 20 pounds on a regular basis.
• Ability to lift or move up to 40 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Ability to stand for periods of up to eight (8) hours per workday.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Kele Companies offers all full-time associates the following benefits and perks:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance 
• HSA
• FSA (medical and dependent care)
• 401(k) with employer match up to 4% with immediate vesting
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental life for employees and dependents available
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid maternity leave