The standard genetic algorithm was used to solve the existing optimization model of material handling sequence problem under the parallel process with multi handling tools. It had slow convergence speed and being easily trapped in local optimal. The improved genetic algorithm of the model is proposed in this paper, where elitism strategy instead of traditional roulette wheel selection method is adopted and the adaptive strategy is applied to design cross operator and mutation operator. As an example, a specific material handling sequence optimization problem is solved by the improved genetic algorithm. The results show that the improved genetic algorithm has faster convergence speed and better solution than the standard genetic algorithm.