Inventory Specialist / Material Handler

Inventory Specialist / Material Handler

Department: Fresco Windows
Location: Altoona, Iowa
Reports To: Fresco Production Leadership

Position Summary

Fresco Windows is seeking a dependable, safety-focused Inventory Specialist / Material Handler to support daily production operations through efficient material handling, inventory organization, and warehouse support. This hands-on role is responsible for maintaining organized storage areas, unloading incoming materials, preparing outbound crates and racks, and ensuring production teams have the glass and materials they need throughout the day.

This is a material-handling position rather than an administrative shipping and receiving role. The ideal candidate will have strong forklift experience and the ability to safely unload glass containers, maneuver glass throughout the facility, and manage materials across multiple storage locations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate a forklift to unload glass containers, returnable racks, incoming deliveries, and other materials supporting Fresco operations.
• Handle, transport, stage, and organize glass and related production materials throughout the shop, outbuildings, and paint building.
• Locate, pull, and deliver glass and other needed materials to production areas throughout the day to support production schedules.
• Maintain clean, safe, and well-organized storage areas, including the outbuilding, paint building, and other inventory locations.
• Monitor inventory levels and assist with tracking materials to help prevent shortages and production delays.
• Organize inventory across multiple storage locations and ensure materials are properly identified, staged, and accessible.
• Prepare crates, racks, and materials for scheduled truck pickups throughout the month.
• Assist with loading outbound crates and racks in a safe and efficient manner.
• Receive and inspect incoming materials for visible damage, proper quantity, and appropriate placement within designated storage areas.
• Support general shipping and receiving activities related to material handling; this role is not responsible for shipping paperwork, customer orders, or online order processing.
• Float between Fresco work areas as needed to assist with material movement, organization, and production support.
• Follow all company safety procedures, forklift operating requirements, PPE expectations, and material-handling practices.
• Report damaged materials, inventory discrepancies, safety concerns, or equipment issues to leadership promptly.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support Fresco operations.

Required Qualifications

• Previous forklift operating experience is required.
• Self Starter, work well with others
• Demonstrated ability to safely operate a forklift in a manufacturing, warehouse, or material-handling environment.
• Experience unloading containers, including large material containers such as glass containers, is strongly preferred.
• Experience handling fragile materials, especially glass, is strongly preferred.
• Strong attention to safety, organization, and material condition.
• Ability to manage inventory and materials across multiple storage areas.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and respond to changing production needs throughout the day.
• Dependable attendance and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively with production, shipping, receiving, and leadership teams.
• Basic inventory, warehouse, or material-tracking experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly stand, walk, bend, reach, twist, and move throughout production and storage areas.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment within established company guidelines.
• Ability to work around glass, crates, racks, forklifts, and other manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to work in warehouse, shop, and outbuilding environments with varying temperatures and noise levels.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, steel-toe footwear, and other PPE as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a manufacturing, warehouse, shipping/receiving, inventory, or material-handling role.
• Experience working with glass, windows, building materials, crates, or returnable racks.
• Familiarity with inventory systems, inventory counts, or material-location tracking.