CDL B Driver

Southern States Cooperative•Winchester, KY

About The Position

Operates a commercial motor vehicle to transport agricultural products between Southern States Cooperative, Inc. (SSC) facilities and customer sites within a designated region. Loads may include dry and liquid bulk products, equipment, and packaged merchandise, such as fertilizer, crop protectants and treatment products, feed, seed, and farm supplies. The driver represents SSC professionally to customers, assists with warehouse and facility operations, and works independently in compliance with government regulations and SSC operating procedures. Vehicles meet the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Class B designation: a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or such a vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 pounds. The role involves planning and completing deliveries, loading and unloading products, maintaining vehicle and delivery records, communicating with customers, and maintaining equipment and work areas. Depending on location and business needs, the driver may also assist with soil sampling, custom fertilizer mixing, warehouse and inventory operations, and transportation using other vehicle types. The position requires safe operation of vehicles and equipment, use of required PPE, and compliance with DOT, OSHA, SSC Environmental Health and Safety standards, and other applicable procedures. Work is primarily performed while driving SSC commercial vehicles, in warehouses with seasonal temperature and humidity conditions, and outdoors without guaranteed weather protection. The schedule varies by location and business need; alternate shifts or schedules may be required. Overtime may be required, and the employee must be able to report to work in adverse weather conditions. The position involves physical activity including frequent bending, crouching, driving, reaching, repetitive hand and foot motions, standing, walking, climbing, and lifting or carrying loads up to 100 pounds, sometimes with assistance. Exposure may include moving vehicles and machinery, vibration, noise, dust, odors, fumes, and hazardous chemicals.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
Six months of Class B commercial driving experience.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B.
Must be licensed to operate vehicles meeting the FMCSA Class B designation.
Must safely operate a motor vehicle to perform essential job functions and comply with SSC’s motor vehicle safety policy.
Able to apply knowledge of agricultural products, services, and operations.
Able to work independently and follow safety, quality-control, and operating procedures.
Able to operate a forklift, hand truck, pallet jack, and other industrial equipment.
Able to apply knowledge of machines and mechanical processes to troubleshoot and perform general equipment and vehicle maintenance and repairs.
Able to communicate professionally with customers.
Able to use GPS equipment and operate SSC business systems.
Able to perform arithmetic calculations, including percentages, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Attention to detail; able to speak, read, and write English proficiently and complete logs and paperwork legibly, accurately, and on time.
Able to work calmly and effectively under time constraints and deadlines, and demonstrate teamwork and flexibility to meet customer and business needs.
Able to work extended hours to meet business demands, work alternate shifts or schedules as business needs require, work overtime when required, and report to work in adverse weather conditions.
Able to meet the stated physical demands, including lifting and carrying loads up to 100 pounds, sometimes with assistance.
Able to hear vehicle and equipment sounds, coworkers, and radio; speak with coworkers and customers about operations and safety; and meet the stated vision requirements.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the agricultural industry and related products is strongly preferred.
Previous Southern States work experience is a plus.
May need or be able to obtain a Hazardous Materials Endorsement, Tanker Endorsement, licensing for pesticides and related products, Propane Certification, and/or Forklift Certification; requirements vary by location and applicable state and federal regulations.

Responsibilities

Communicate with facility management and counterparts to assess daily delivery and operational needs, and assist with delivery schedule and route planning.
Safely operate SSC commercial vehicles to transport agricultural products, equipment, and supplies in accordance with SSC policies, DOT regulations, and local traffic laws.
Load or assist with loading dry and liquid bulk products; verify load documentation and inventory availability; operate loading controls and monitor scales, meters, gauges, and terminal controls.
Load or assist with loading palletized merchandise, equipment, and farm supplies using appropriate equipment.
Unload or assist with unloading products at destinations using dispensing equipment, forklifts, or other material-handling equipment; review shipping documentation with customers and, when needed, load products into spreading vehicles.
Perform pre-trip and post-trip vehicle safety inspections and maintain mileage and fuel logs.
Accurately and promptly complete shipping documents, bills of lading, reports, and automated system records; review documents prepared by receiving team members.
Represent SSC professionally and courteously when communicating with customers and business partners; review account details, provide product and equipment information, collect account payments, and confirm future deliveries.
Use and maintain vehicles and equipment, perform routine preventive maintenance and repairs, and notify a supervisor of service needs.
As required by location and business needs, assist with soil sampling, custom fertilizer mixing, customer vehicle loading, forklift and material-handling work, warehouse operations, receiving, and inventory management.
As required, operate box trucks, pickup trucks, flatbeds, or other vehicles to transport and handle packaged merchandise, farm supplies, equipment, and plant material between facilities and customer locations.
Maintain clean and orderly work areas, properly store tools and supplies, minimize waste, and clean equipment, vehicles, and work areas according to the Housekeeping Plan and SSC procedures.
Work safely to protect people, property, equipment, and inventory; use required PPE and comply with SSC policies, government regulations, OSHA regulations, and SSC EHS standards.
Perform other job functions as assigned.