The U.S. material handling industry was valued at more than $42 billion in 2024 and is an integral part of virtually every other industry.
Manufacturing facilities, warehouses and distribution centers would come to a standstill, or at least be reduced to outright inefficiency, without material handling equipment. Yet most people – and many seeking jobs in the material handling space – are unfamiliar with what has been called “the largest industry you’ve never heard of.”
For those who ever think about it, material handling means forklifts and forklift operators. Rarely do they envision forklift technicians who keep equipment running or advanced material handling equipment such as conveyor systems, vertical lift modules and automated guided vehicles.
At Carolina Handling, recruiters say they often must first educate candidates on the world of material handling before getting down to the business of job opportunities in sales, service and support.
“To explain it, our COO says that when you click ‘Add to Cart’ on any website, our customers are supporting that and we’re supporting our customers with the equipment and processes to help get that order to you,” said Carolina Handling Corporate Recruiter Cate Beth Bishop.
And for those who may have heard of Carolina Handling but are unsure of how the company fits into the supply chain, recruiters also believe it’s important to communicate the company’s value proposition and its resiliency, even during economic downturns.
“We’re very stable in that we’ve been around for almost 60 years, and we’ve never had layoffs, even during COVID,” said Corporate Recruiter Lauren Campbell. “Despite inflation, consumers continue to spend and that means our customers are continuing to move products.”
Adds Bishop, “I like to stress that our associates get to put their hands on a lot of different things. You're not as siloed as in a giant conglomerate organization where you are employee number 5,735 and your only job is to create system design drawings.”
Career opportunities in material handling
Just like the auto industry where dealers maintain and repair the cars they sell; material handling equipment distributors do the same. As one of the Southeast’s leading material handling integrators and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone, Carolina Handling sells and services Raymond forklifts, as well as automation solutions such as conveyors systems and vertical lift modules.
The fact that Carolina Handling field service techs can work on all types of equipment, not just Raymond forklifts, is attractive to candidates, recruiters say. That includes conveyor systems maintenance, as well as installation and maintenance of Modula vertical lift modules.
With a growing book of business, Carolina Handling always is hiring field service technicians throughout its five-state footprint. Job experience or areas of study that more easily transfer to skills required for a field service technician role are auto or diesel mechanic, mechatronics, industrial maintenance, electrical maintenance and even aircraft mechanic.
“If you have any experience working out in the field on your own, that is definitely a plus because we know you can handle being more independent and manage your own schedule,” Campbell said.
Customer service skills also are needed since field service technicians routinely interact with customers.
“You may be able to turn a wrench, but we need to know that you’re the type of person that customers are willing to go to when they need something,” Campbell said. “Mechanical aptitude, customer service skills and the ability to work independently are the three things that I pay attention to during interviews.”
Technicians working in Carolina Handling internal shops can have less experience and do not have to possess a degree.
“As long as you have mechanical aptitude and a good attitude, we can train you,” Campbell said.
Internal support roles such as service and parts coordinators also do not require a degree, but strong customer service and a curious mindset are pluses, Bishop said.
“Someone who is a status quo type of person will not do well here because we are always changing processes,” she said. “One of our core values is to always be improving and that is consistent with the material handling industry, especially with the technology changes and everything from an automation perspective. We’re looking for candidates that want to keep learning.”
On the sales side, Carolina Handling continues to add headcount throughout the territory. Ideal candidates for business development manager positions are self-starters with a year or two of outside sales experience
“This is a true hunter sales role position where they are building that book of business from the ground up,” Bishop said. “This is someone that wants to provide a consultative sell, with a level of technical acumen on how technology fits and functions within our sales process and how we utilize that to support our customers.”
A robust training program
For those wondering about training, Carolina Handling has a robust 90-day training program for new hires, as well as ongoing technical training and leadership development offerings.
The first 90 days help a new hire chart the course for a career at Carolina Handling, learning the functions of their role, their department and how that department interacts with other teams. There is a mix of hands-on training, e-learnings and shadowing to give new associates a first-hand look at how the company operates and to build relationships for future collaboration.
“At the end of that 90 days, you will have a roadmap that helps you problem solve when you inevitably run into something that you don't have an answer for. You’ll know who to call,” Bishop said.
For more information, visit the Careers page on the Carolina Handling website.
