Distribution Technician

About the role

Come lead with us at Corporate At Houston Methodist, the Distribution Tech position is responsible for accurately filling all supply orders submitted by Houston Methodist's network hospitals, offsite clinical care centers and corporate departments. This position supports the efforts of the offsite, HM Distribution Center through routine tasks associated with order fulfillment, standardized packaging, shipment preparation and best practices for inventory control. The Distribution Tech position provides support to hospital-based Par Replenishment Teams for low unit of measure (LUM) supply replenishment and with respect to their defined schedules for re-stocking clinical care areas at each campus.

Responsibilities

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a team-focused work unit that actively helps one another achieve department goals.
• Works with Logistics Shift Lead and fellow technicians to find the most efficient means for completing assigned orders and meet the day’s scheduled truck departures.
• Works collaboratively with the Sr. Distribution Techs to locate items that require restocking or recently processed within the receiving area and staged for put away.
• Interacts with co-workers and customers in a supportive and respectful manner.
• Encourages open communication to achieve outstanding customer service.
• Communicates clearly and professionally to promote both work efforts and problem resolution.
• Properly identifies self as order processor through completion of orders and accepts accountability for items incorrectly pulled and shipped.
• Ensures all fulfilled supply orders are complete and properly palletized according to the designation provided for each Material Stock Request (MSR) and with consideration toward defined schedules for delivery.
• Works with Inventory Control staff in identifying inaccuracies related to item storage location, labeling, and incorrect units of measure or item expiration.
• Corrects verifiable errors for work completed and demonstrates a learned approach to preventing similar errors for future work assigned.
• Maintains a high level of accuracy as determined by the department.
• Maintains an hourly rate of productivity as determined by the department.
• Participates in spot-check verification processes to evaluate order accuracy and packaging effectiveness.
• Maintains a high level of awareness for navigating through areas prone to lift-truck operation and reports unsafe practices should they be observed.
• Identifies and reports any visible damage to warehouse rack componentry or Material Handling Equipment that is deemed unsafe for use.
• Exhibits safe product handling and packaging techniques to reduce the need to reship incorrect or damaged products to end users.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies.
• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize department daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime.
• Participates in all scheduled physical inventory events and selected cycle counts to maintain inventory levels within an acceptable standard and to ensure product availability to our patients.
• Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality or services.
• Participates in special projects and department initiatives and seeks opportunities to expand learning with a focus on continual development.
• Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.
• Exhibits a progression toward understanding and exhibiting the required skills for receiving and stocking practices and the direct correlation to the order fulfillment side of the operations.

Requirements

• Uniform: department approved (no scrubs, no business professional).
• On‑call: may be required during emergencies (disaster, severe weather events, etc.).
• Travel: may require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area; no travel outside the Houston Metropolitan area.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent (GED, homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.).
• Experience: Two years of experience working in a material handling/distribution environment required; prior experience in a healthcare product distribution or related industry preferred.
• Licenses and Certifications: Required MHE HM – Houston Methodist Material Handling Equipment Certified (HM) – Houston Methodist; two‑year renewal required within 60 days.

Skills

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English to perform essential functions, especially those impacting