CDL A Driver (Req 12750)

The Southern States CDL Driver operates a commercial motor vehicle tractor and trailer combination to transport agricultural products between Southern States Cooperative, Inc. (SSC) facilities and to customer sites within a designated region. Represents SSC in a professional manner to customers. Assists with various warehouse and facility operations. Strictly adheres to government regulations and SSC operating procedures while working independently. 

Experience: Requires six (6) months of Class A commercial driving experience. Knowledge of agricultural industry and related products strongly preferred. Previous Southern States work experience a plus. 

• Requires valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
• Willing to consider CDL B (may require the willingness to obtain CDL A)

Preferred: Tanker Endorsement and active CDL A License

Essential Job Functions:

• Communicate with facility management and counterparts to assess daily merchandise delivery and operational needs. Assist with planning delivery schedules and routes. 
• Safely operate tractor and trailer combinations including: flat bed, liquid nurse tanker, dry tender, and Killebrew dump trailer. Equipment and load type vary by division and location. Transport dry and liquid bulk products, farm supplies, equipment, and/or packaged merchandise to proper destinations in accordance with SSC polices, DOT regulations and local traffic laws. 
• Load or assist with loading of dry and liquid bulk products. Verify load documentation and inventory availability. Effectively operate equipment controls on trailer and at facility according to standard operating procedures for bulk loading. Monitor scales, meters, gauges, and terminal controls to verify weight/quantity. Utilize proper equipment to load or assist with loading palleted merchandise, equipment, and farm supplies. 
• Off-load or assist with off-loading merchandise at destination by either dropping trailer, dispensing from tank, or utilizing forklift and material handling equipment to unload palleted merchandise, equipment and farm supplies. Review shipping documentation with customers. May load bulk fertilizer and crop protectant products into spreading vehicles. 
• Perform pre- and post-trip vehicle safety inspections. Maintain mileage and fuel logs. Review and complete shipping documentation including bills of lading, reports, documentation, and automated systems accurately and in a timely manner according to standard operating procedures for documentation. Review all documents prepared by receiving team members. 
• Properly utilize and maintain equipment and vehicles. Perform routine preventive maintenance and repair to keep equipment and vehicles in good working condition. Notify supervisor of vehicle and equipment service needs to ensure timely repair or replacement. 
• Perform work safely as to not cause harm to yourself, customers, property, co-workers, equipment, or inventory. Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required. Operate all equipment and vehicles according to SSC policy and government regulations. Comply with OSHA regulations, Southern States Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, work rules and policies. 
• Perform all other job functions as assigned.

Requirements:

• This position requires the safe operation of a motor vehicle to perform essential job functions and mandatory compliance with the SSC motor vehicle safety policy
• Must be licensed to operate vehicles meeting Class A designation from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds)
• Able to effectively apply knowledge of a variety of agricultural products, services, and agricultural operations
• Able to work well independently and follow safety, quality control and operating procedures at all times
• Able to effectively operate a forklift, hand truck, pallet jack, and other industrial equipment
• Able to effectively apply knowledge of how machines and mechanical processes work to troubleshoot and perform general maintenance and repair of equipment and vehicles
• Able to communicate with customers in a professional manner
• Able to utilize GPS equipment
• Computer literacy to operate SSC business systems
• Able to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
• Attention to detail
• Able to speak, read, write the English language in a proficient manner
• Able to complete logs and paperwork in a legible, organized, and timely manner
• Able to calmly and effectively work