This is a part-time variable hour (24-40 hours weekly) position depending on interest and capacity.
Market Mobile Drivers help fulfill Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s nonprofit mission of growing the local food system by ensuring all products sold by local farmers and producers are safely and accurately delivered to restaurants, institutions, and home delivery customers across Rhode Island. In doing so, we are strengthening local farm viability by building a reliable sales outlet for Rhode Island grown and produced goods.
A high degree of accountability is required in order to provide excellent outcomes to our farmers, food producers, customers, and community partners. Our Drivers facilitate the flow of products from our local food warehouse to customers statewide. This position reports to and works closely with the Operations Manager to continuously improve operations. This position works closely with other Packhouse Associates, Driver Assistants, Drivers, and other Market Mobile staff in a team environment to achieve program goals.
Market Mobile Drivers support Market Mobile operations through the successful implementation of established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and compliance with regulatory guidelines. Daily tasks include customer deliveries in collaboration with Drivers Assistants, loading/unloading trucks, and completion of prescribed paperwork. Drivers may also provide support as needed with packhouse cleaning/sanitation, receiving, and packline.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Communicate effectively with delivery partners, customers, and Farm Fresh RI staff.
The driver is responsible for communicating with on-the-ground staff at delivery and pickup locations. The driver is expected to provide excellent customer service to these core customers and to be mindful of our impact on their operations. Effective, timely, and frequent communication with the Farm Fresh team and all stakeholders is key to the successful functioning of operations. Attendance at driver and full- team meetings as requested by the Operations Manager is required.
Assist in coordination, organization, and execution of distribution activities.
The Driver assists with organization and coordination under the direction of the operations management team as needed including bin labeling, pallet stacking, and product staging.
Carry out the delivery of products.
Load product into trucks and communicate effectively with customers as deliveries are made. Follow delivery protocol at each drop-off to provide an excellent experience and customer service. Communicate any challenges, concerns, or feedback to supervisor(s) promptly.
Ensure safe and proper product handling and packing.
Adhere to all policies and procedures laid out in the Farm Fresh food safety plan inside the Farm Fresh facility, while on the road, and during deliveries. Items are kept at the proper food safe temperature in the truck throughout the day in accordance with Food Safety SOPs.
Vehicle and supply maintenance.
Monitor and communicate problems with Farm Fresh vehicles, equipment, and supplies. Communicate when running low on truck supplies.
Driving performance.
Drive lawfully and carefully at all times, heeding legal load capacity of the vehicle; adjust speed and routes as needed while still delivering within time-contingencies. Driving instruction and training will be provided, which the Driver is expected to comply with.
Equipment operation.
Operate all equipment in a safe manner. Training will be provided for safe equipment operation.
Safety.
First aid training is provided, but our ultimate goal is preventing injury in the workplace. The Driver is expected to help establish a culture of safety and prevention.
Sanitation & cleaning.
Trucks are kept clean and well organized at all times. Truck cabins and beds are deep cleaned and restocked on Fridays following deliveries.
Teamwork.
The Driver is expected to take part in the cultivation of any full-team efforts with other Farm Fresh staff as requested. All Farm Fresh staff are responsible for ensuring that operations work is conducted safely and efficiently with other operations team members. Any and all conflicts with staff should be reported to the Operations Manager immediately.
Act as an ambassador of Farm Fresh Rhode Island.
Team members are required to interact with many different stakeholders as part of their daily activities. All team members are expected to act as ambassadors of Farm Fresh and treat all parties with dignity and respect to maintain a community of openness and inclusivity.
Other Duties as assigned.
Farm Fresh is a small nonprofit; at all times, a “pitch-in” spirit is expected. Assistance on special projects may be required in addition to normal duties.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Food handling experience is strongly preferred.
- Experience driving heavily loaded box trucks in urban and rural environments is strongly preferred.
- CDL- Class A license preferred but not required.
- Experience operating manual and electric pallet jacks is a plus (training is provided).
- Customer service or similar experience is preferred.
- Detail-oriented with excellent record keeping and planning skills.
- Good humor, an ability to think on your feet, and an easy but focused work style.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Neeed to Perform thsi Role
- Must be reliable, committed, and efficient at completing job requirements.
- Must be effective in communicating with other program staff and external organization stakeholders.
- Must be a responsible driver with minimum of 2 years of driving experience, valid US drivers license, and capable of passing DOT physical.
- Must have the ability and desire to relate to and work with various socio-economic and cultural groups and create a positive and safe work environment by making other coworkers and volunteers feel welcome in our space.
- Must have high attention to detail (produce quality and record-keeping).
- Basic vehicle maintenance knowledge (change tire, top-off fluids).
- Basic technology skills – computer and smartphone competency.
- Must be able to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to the success of coworkers and Farm Fresh RI’s mission and values.
Physical Demands (Physical, Mental, Environmental)
The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time at a desk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Must be able to repeatedly lift 60+ pounds in various conditions. This position is physically demanding and requires an aptitude for manual labor.
Compensation
- This is a part-time variable hour (24-40 hours weekly) position depending on interest and capacity.
- Rate of pay starts at $20 per hour for driver hours. Drivers have the option of picking up additional hours in our packhouse at a rate of $16 per hour if interested.
- Sick and Safe leave benefits starting first day of employment.
- Shifts will be Monday through Friday
How to Apply
- Please fill out our online application here.
- No phone calls or drop-ins please.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment for all employees. We encourage enquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. Farm Fresh RI does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability status in employment or programming. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Provider.