Driver - Wholesale Recovery Program Apply
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:
Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people experiencing food insecurity, and inspiring others to do the same. Fruits and vegetables are collected in Los Angeles and Ventura counties from backyard fruit trees, orchards, farmers markets, and the downtown Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market. This recovered produce is provided, free of charge, to hunger relief organizations that serve community members in various ways: food banks, homeless outreach agencies, domestic violence shelters, transitional youth homes, veteran services, family resource centers, LGBTQ+ teen/adult/senior services, college student assistance programs, programs serving people with disabilities, and many more. Since Food Forwards inception, our staff and thousands of dedicated volunteers have rescued 100s of millions of pounds of fruits and vegetables. This produce helped feed millions of people across eleven Southern California counties, throughout seven states, and in tribal lands in the Southwest annually. See our core values posted below.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Food Forward seeks an organized, energetic, and detail-oriented WRP Truck Driver to join our team. The Driver will report to the WRP Manager and be responsible for early-morning produce pick-ups from donors at the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Terminal and surrounding areas, delivery of donations to receiving agencies, and accurately entering incoming donations into Food Forwards inventory management system.
The Driver is expected to provide excellent customer service, constantly contact the dispatch team, and enter invoices daily. The schedule will be five days a week, from as early as 3 am to as late as 6 pm, depending on program needs. The ideal candidate is passionate about improving food systems and eradicating hunger in a fast-paced environment and is a skilled driver and communicator. They must think critically, demonstrate strong decision-making and time management skills, and have a solid working knowledge of the produce industry and general growing seasons.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Complete daily routes in a safe and time-efficient manner, taking direction from the dispatch team
- Decipher quality and perishability of 100 varieties of produce
- Load and Unload produce donations
- Process orders in Food Forwards Inventory management system, maintaining accurate records
- Ensure staff members follow proper food handling and safety protocols
- Assist warehouse staff as needed during busy windows of operation in moving produce in and out of the warehouse or refrigerator
- Perform other duties as assigned
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Produce handling experience 5+years
- Current experience driving a 53-foot tractor-trailer in compliance with traffic and safety laws
- Valid Class A drivers license and clean driving record
- Bilingual, Spanish and English
- Good geographical knowledge of Greater Los Angeles
- Ability to operate heavy equipment such as Pallet Jack and Electric Pallet Jack
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule and early hours.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to repeatedly lift and carry materials weighing up to 75 pounds.
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, bend, lift, twist, kneel, crouch, crawl, pull, push, carry, grasp, reach, and stoop as needed.
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors.
Benefits:
- Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life Insurance coverage, Retirement with 3% employer matching. Generous Sick Days, Paid-Time-Off, and Holiday allocation
- Cell phone allowance,
How to Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume in PDF to career@foodforward.org. The subject line should read, WRP Truck Driver- (Your Name). In the body of the cover letter, include 1) Where did you discover this listing, and 2) If you were a variety of produce, what would you be and why?
No phone calls. Please follow these instructions to ensure that we process your application.
Food Forward is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with protected class backgrounds. We value the individuals we hire and look forward to creating a positive work environment for all identities.
CORE VALUES
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Working together, we inspire and are inspired by the people in the communities we serve.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION We cultivate a diverse workforce that nurtures equity and inclusion.
FOOD JUSTICE We share the abundance of fresh produce and prevent food waste because everyone deserves access to new nutritious food.
INTEGRITY We are honest, accountable, and authentic in our words and actions.
JOYFULNESS We embrace a creative, spirited, and fulfilling environment.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.30 - $24.45 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Day range:
- Monday to Friday
Experience level:
- 2 years
- 3 years
Shift:
- 8 hour shift
- Morning shift
Ability to Relocate:
- Bell Gardens, CA 90201: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
