Material handler Jobs in Chicago, IL

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work.

This position will be located in: Chicago, IL or Merrillville, IN

Application Deadline: Posted Until Filled

Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.

Job Summary

The Jobsite Material Coordinator is responsible for coordinating material handling, inventory management, and job site logistics to ensure timely, accurate, and efficient operations across branch and customer locations. This role supports the day-to-day operations at the customer jobsite by providing support and coordination of material and services to meet the customer’s needs. Provides material coordination and delivery communications with Border States warehouse, drivers, and contractors. This role combines logistics coordination with strong customer communication and support, ensuring materials and inventory programs meet both internal performance goals and customer expectations. The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, service-focused approach to problem solving and collaboration.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Coordinates material deliveries, shipments, and transfers to customer sites and branch locations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with company standards and safety regulations.
• Receives incoming freight and checks material for damage or shortages.
• Collaborates with others to ensure material is prepared, staged or kitted for construction activities.
• Leads the setup, coordination, and ongoing management of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs, including warehouses, job boxes, trailers, containers and vending solutions.
• Partners with customers and branch personnel on all additions, changes, and deletions to inventory; ensure clear communication and follow-through during implementation and maintenance.
• Maintains appropriate minimum and maximum inventory levels to meet customer demand while optimizing stock efficiency.
• Maintains project schedule with up-to-date inventory information.
• Manages field material requests and tracks back-ordered items.
• Receives, inspects, prepares, and stages material for delivery or installation; performs order picking, restocking, and returns processing, as needed, at site
• Monitors and evaluates VMI and logistics performance metrics to ensure service quality and alignment with customer goals.
• Operates and maintains warehouse and material handling equipment and vehicles safely and in compliance with company and government standards.
• Performs SAP or equivalent system functions to track inventory, process orders, and ensures accurate documentation of warehouse and delivery activities.
• Coordinates inventory control activities, including cycle counts, reconciliations, and adjustments.
• Maintains a high level of communication and teamwork.
• Participates in safety meetings and complete all required safety and customer training courses.
• Assists in planning and coordinating inbound and outbound shipments to align with project schedules.
• Consistently provides responsive, quality service to customers.

Non-essential Functions

• Serves as a backup for warehouse and logistics functions when needed.
• Perform additional duties or special projects assigned.

Qualifications

• Prefer a minimum of a two-year business/trade degree or equivalent in work experience.
• Prior construction experience including large equipment or forklift operation is required.
• Good knowledge of electrical products/systems is preferred.
• Minimum of 21 years of age is required.
• A valid Class A CDL driver’s license for the state of residence along with a current medical certification is a PLUS.
• Ability to read, write and speak in English required.
• Ability to use handheld technology.
• Working knowledge of PC for Windows, Internet, Email and SAP software is a plus.
• Must have heavy material lifting experience.
• Knowledge will include personal protective equipment, equipment inspection, hazard assessment, slings and hitches, hand signals, load charts and angles.
• Knowledge of securing all loads to flatbed trailers is a plus.

Skills and Abilities

• Technical ability to understand electrical systems and product applications.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills (reading, writing and speaking English)
• Ability to effectively plan and organize.
• Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.
• Ability to be experienced, safe, and efficient operators of large material handling equipment.
  

Physical Requirements

Lift and carry requirements (weight and frequency):
Occasionally 0 – 33% Frequently 34 – 66% Continuously: 67 – 100%

• Lift from Floor to Waist:
  • < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 76 to 100 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 101 + lbs. - Occasionally
• Above Waist Lift:
  • < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 76 to 100 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 101+ lbs. - Not at all
• Unilateral Carry:
  • < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
  • 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
  • 76 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
  • 101+ lbs. - Not at all
• Bilateral Carry:
  • < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 76 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
  • 101+ lbs. - Not at all

Physical Activity

Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day:

• Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Frequently
• Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Frequently
• Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Frequently
• Bending/Stooping (downward and forward) - Occasionally
• Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all
• Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Occasionally
• Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Continuously
• Crouching/Squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally
• Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally
• Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Frequently
• Repetitive Motion (substantial movement (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Occasionally
• Trunk Rotation (movement in any direction, whether standing or sitting, with at least one foot stationary and in contact with the floor) - Occasionally
• Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally
• Handling (applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Continuously
• Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers and not whole hand) - Frequently
• Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Frequently
• Driving (the control and operation of a fork lift) - Frequently
• Desk Work (tasks generally performed at a desk, including use of a computer, printer, fax machine, telephone and other office equipment) - Occasionally
• Use of tools (safely operate equipment needed for receiving, conveying, stocking, packaging, and shipping parts) - Frequently
• Hearing (perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously
• Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Frequently
• Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Frequently

Additional Information

This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Our History

Border States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with approximately 130 locations in 31 states. Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extra-ordinary people skills. We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries. Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company. Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners. We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers. Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers’ needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do. We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements. Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others.

Values
As a Border States employee-owner, you’re responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards.

Our Purpose
We believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone. We are owners - of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver.

Service Philosophy
We earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do.

Service Standards
Border States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged .

Your career
Join an experienced team at one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States. What are you waiting for?

Border States has a competitive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
FSA & HSA
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Disability Benefits
401(k) Retirement Plan
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Holidays
Paid Volunteer Time
Personal Leave time and more!
Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.

Equal Opportunity For All

It’s not just the law. It’s something we’ve believed in since our founding. We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer.

Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace

Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings:

• Criminal background check (required for all positions)
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving)
• Drug testing

The MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.