Materials Handling Coordinator

Materials Handling Coordinator

General Description

The Materials Handling Coordinator supports daily logistics, materials handling, and campus sustainability efforts across the Detroit Zoological Society. This seasonal, part-time role focuses on executing routine shipping and receiving activities, assisting with waste and recycling operations, and supporting basic inventory and materials coordination.

This role helps maintain organized receiving operations, ensures materials are properly handled and distributed, and supports broader operational and sustainability initiatives. The position supports the Detroit Zoological Society's commitment to safety, customer service, and operational excellence.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with daily receiving operations including accepting, organizing, and distributing deliveries across campus.
• Check receiving areas and package drop locations multiple times per day and ensure proper handling of incoming items.
• Support outbound shipping by staging and organizing packages for carrier pickup.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized receiving and staging areas.
• Perform daily campus dumpster checks including inspection of waste, recycling, and compost areas.
• Identify and correct improper disposal of materials and communicate issues to Sustainability staff.
• Monitor dumpster and compactor fullness and coordinate vendor pickups as needed.
• Assist with pallet sorting and movement of materials for disposal or reuse.
• Support trades staff with occasional parts pickup and delivery of materials across campus.
• Assist with basic inventory tracking, tool organization, and materials management tasks.
• Support asset tagging and data collection efforts for CMMS (Limble) implementation as needed.
• Maintain logs, spreadsheets, and documentation related to deliveries, waste operations, and materials handling.
• Assist with additional operational tasks and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED
• Experience in shipping/receiving, facilities, warehouse, or similar work preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to perform physical work including lifting, moving, and handling materials
• Strong reliability and ability to follow established routines
• Basic organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Basic computer skills (email, spreadsheets)

Working Conditions

Work includes both indoor and outdoor environments across the Zoo campus, including exposure to weather conditions.

Physical Requirements

Physical work is a primary part of the job including walking, standing, lifting, and handling materials. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential functions.

Just as we value and celebrate biodiversity, the DZS celebrates the diversity of our human community. We are committed to ensuring that our programs and facilities are fully accessible to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all.