JobsGenerac

Material Handler III - Lead

Generac · Berlin, WI

Posted Sep 13, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Walk me through your background with forklift operation and material handling in a manufacturing or distribution setting. How many years, and what kinds of equipment have you run?

whether the candidate actually meets the 2 to 5 years of hands-on experience the role requires

Tell me about a time you trained a new employee or someone learning a new work area. How did you make sure they understood the work instructions?

real experience training others to standard work, since this is a named Material Handler III duty

Tell me about a time you noticed a problem with equipment or a process and suggested a change without being asked.

initiative and ownership, since the role expects self-reliance with minimal direction

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a supervisor or lead about how a task should be done. What happened?

how they handle authority and pushback while still respecting the chain of command described in the posting

Tell me about a time your team was behind on throughput or delivery targets. What was your role in fixing it?

contribution to lead time, throughput, and cost improvements mentioned as a Level II/III expectation

Technical

Have you used 5 Why, 8D, or PDCA to solve a problem at work? Walk me through one example from start to finish.

whether root cause problem solving is genuine experience or just a term they recognize

What ERP system have you worked in, SAP or something similar like Oracle, JD Edwards, or Dynamics? What kinds of transactions did you do in it day to day?

comfort level with ERP transactions beyond basic lookups, since Level III requires proficiency

What does a daily forklift inspection actually cover, and what would make you take a forklift out of service?

real working knowledge of safety procedures, not just familiarity with the term

Situational

Say you're covering three different material areas in one shift because people called out. How do you decide what to prioritize and how do you keep track of what still needs to get done?

ability to self-assess workload and manage cross-training demands without a supervisor directing every move

A newer team member on your line keeps making the same transaction error in the ERP system. How would you handle correcting them?

patience and teaching skill balanced with holding people to standard work

You're moving material and notice the work instructions don't match what's actually needed for that order. What do you do in the moment?

judgment under ambiguity and whether they escalate appropriately versus guessing

How do you stay accurate and catch mistakes when you're moving fast and the pressure is on to keep material flowing?

attention to detail under production pressure, a repeated theme across all three levels in the posting

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The full job description

As published by Generac.

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? Major Responsibilities Material Handler I • Learn and follow established principles, practices, procedures, processes, and policies. • Learning to operate a forklift or other equipment to transport materials within the facility. • Developing a good knowledge of the company for the full scope of the role and may be assigned to projects for career development. • Resolves problems with assistance from peers or supervisors depending on the level and complexity. • Communicate effectively with immediate supervisor and other members of the team. • Flex across different products and areas to support business needs. • Perform forklift daily inspections. • Accepts responsibility for own actions, follows through on commitments. • Participate in team meetings and exchange job related information. • Demonstrates attention to detail, attendance, and quality. • Perform safe and effective operation of all equipment needed to perform job function. • Practice safe working habits, following safety guidelines to operation and support of company initiatives. • Know the basic functions of the ERP system. • May assist in training new employees or employees learning new work areas. • Actively understands and participates with the Drive to Zero program. • Other duties as assigned. Material Handler II • Material Handler I responsibilities. • Efficiently use equipment to transport materials. • Resolve issues and recommend solutions to leadership team. • Participate in project teams and/or lead portions of continuous improvement projects. • Demonstrates working knowledge of the basic principles, practices and processes in the applicable discipline and has a working knowledge of related fields. • Resolve routine to moderately complex problems by applying established procedures and best practices. • Frequently interact with supervisors and team members and collaborate with cross-functional partners to complete assignments. • Contributes to improving processes, lead times, through-out, and cost. • Knows all functions of at least one job or cross-trained in other materials areas. Material Handler III • Material Handler I & II responsibilities • Cross-trained in different areas of need. • Provide training to new employees or employees learning new work areas according to work instructions in support of Materials.   • Proficiently access information and perform transactions as needed within ERP system. • Use initiative and judgment to lead problem solving and implement appropriate countermeasures. • Suggest and implement improvements to existing equipment and/or designs to improve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity. • Ability to be self-reliant with minimal direction; capable of assessing workload needs. Minimum Job Requirements PRODUCTION MATERIAL HANDLERS Material Handler I • Ability to operate or learn to operate material handling equipment. • Ability to identify and resolve basic problems. • Ability to effectively work in a team environment. • Models positive and professional work ethics. • Effective communication skills. Material Handler II • Material Handler I requirements • 1 year of material handling experience • Ability to use advanced troubleshooting within the materials environment. • Ability to train other employees in established processes. • Problem solving skills and interfacing with other departments. • Strong communication skills. Material Handler III • Material Handler I & II requirements. • 2 years of material handling/forklift operation experience in a manufacturing or distribution environment DISTRIBUTION MATERIAL HANDLERS Material Handler I • Ability to operate or learn to operate material handling equipment. • Ability to identify and resolve basic problems. • Ability to effectively work in a team environment. • Models positive and professional work ethics. • Effective communication skills. • Read and understand work instructions. Material Handler II • Material Handler I requirements • 2 years of material handling/warehouse experience • Ability to use advanced troubleshooting within the materials environment. • Ability to train other employees in established processes. • Problem solving skills and interfacing with other departments. • Strong communication skills. Material Handler III • Material Handler I & II requirements. • 5 years of material handling/forklift operation experience in a manufacturing or distribution environment. Preferred Job Requirements Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Material Handler I & II • Basic problem-solving knowledge. • Ability to perform basic reading, writing, and math functions. • Basic PC knowledge. • High level of attention to detail and accuracy. • Ability to work at heights. Material Handler III • Material Handler I & II requirements. • Demonstrated experience in root cause problem solving (5 Why, 8D, PDCA, etc.) • Demonstrated experience effectively training other employees to work instructions/standard work. • Previous experience using SAP or equivalent ERP system (Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics) Level of Independence : Acts under the direction and supervision of the Materials Lead, Supervisor, or Manager “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

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