Job Description

This job description is a summary of essential job functions necessary for the satisfactory performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable those with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Job functions may vary by location.

General Summary

Operates box trucks, pick-up trucks, flat beds, and/or other vehicles to transport merchandise between SSC facilities and customer farms, production sites, and residences. Delivers, handles, loads and unloads a variety of packaged merchandise, including: seed, fertilizer, crop protectants and other treatment products, as well as feed, farm supplies, equipment, and/or plant material. Performs minor repairs and general maintenance on delivery vehicles to ensure good operating condition. Depending upon location, may also perform customer support, inventory management, and/or merchandising functions. Effectively operates a forklift and other industrial equipment. Commercial Driver's License not required.

Essential Job Functions

• Prepare merchandise for delivery. Verify receipts or load documentation and inventory availability. Inspect items for damage prior to loading. Merchandise varies by location, and products may include: seed, fertilizer, crop protectants and other treatment products, as well as feed, farm supplies, equipment, and plant nursery items.
• Utilize forklifts, pallet jacks and other equipment as well as proper manual lifting techniques to load and unload boxes, bags, pallets, bulky items, equipment, and/or plant material on to and off of delivery vehicles.
• Safely operate SSC box trucks, pick-up trucks, flat beds, and/or other motorized vehicles. Deliver merchandise to customer farms, production sites, and residences in accordance with SSC polices, DOT regulations and local traffic laws. Maintain an on-time delivery schedule. Vehicles may vary by location.
• Represent SSC in a positive manner through professional and courteous communication with customers. Review shipping documentation, product information, and account details with customers during deliveries.
• Confirm future delivery needs with customers. Assess whether companion products or additional equipment and services may be useful. Make genuinely helpful recommendations and identify opportunities to sell additional merchandise or services.
• Perform minor repairs and general maintenance to keep vehicles and equipment in good working condition. Regularly update vehicle maintenance logs. Notify supervisor of vehicle and equipment service needs to ensure timely repair or replacement.
• May also perform the following functions depending upon division, location, and business need:
• Provide prompt and courteous customer support. Assist customers with locating merchandise, lifting and accessing products, filling orders, and loading merchandise into their vehicles. Verify invoices to ensure proper merchandise and quantities are loaded. Effectively secure loads.
• Receive merchandise deliveries according to established procedures. Unload pallets, boxes, bulk, and/or large items utilizing proper equipment (forklift, front-end loader, skid loader, pallet jack, etc.) and manual lifting as appropriate. Count and verify accuracy of delivery by comparing to purchase orders and reviewing shipping documents. Inspect items for damage or defects. Notify supervisor immediately of shipping errors, damage to materials, and product quality issues.
• Safely move merchandise throughout the facility utilizing proper equipment, including manual lifting. Perform full pallet put-away, accurately storing merchandise in warehouse racking or other designated locations. Manually stack down mixed pallets, sorting merchandise for storage or showroom replenishment.
• Assist facility team members in taking physical inventory according to established guidelines.
• Perform showroom replenishment. Safely move merchandise to the showroom utilizing proper equipment and/or manual lifting. Stock merchandise ensuring shelves and displays are neatly faced and organized and that items are accessible to customers. Perform recovery according to facility procedures.
• Reconfigure store shelving, build endcaps, and assist with creating merchandise displays. Read and interpret merchandising diagrams (plan-o-grams).
• Perform regular inspections of forklifts and other industrial equipment according to facility guidelines. Identify and report maintenance needs to supervisor. May assist with maintenance of equipment as needed.
• Fill propane cylinders. Operate all propane-related equipment according to established procedures and safety protocols, and in compliance with training and licensing requirements.
• Perform lawn care, snow removal, painting, and a variety of other general maintenance assignments as determined by location needs.
• Perform daily housekeeping duties according to facility procedures to ensure a neat, clean and welcoming environment.
• Work safely as to not cause harm to yourself, customers and property, co-workers, equipment, or merchandise. 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.

Qualifications

Education: Requires a High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)

Experience: Requires six (6) months of work experience operating delivery vehicles (box trucks, pick-up trucks, flat beds, and/or other vehicles) and/or performing warehouse functions, with demonstrated customer service skills and a valid driver's license. Requires experience operating industrial equipment including forklift. Previous Southern States work experience a plus.

Licenses &Certification: Requires Forklift Certification (or ability to obtain within a given period)

May require Propane Certification (or ability to obtain within given period)

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
• Able to effectively operate a forklift, front-end loader, pallet jack, skid loader and/or other industrial equipment
• Able to learn, understand and follow safety, quality control and operating procedures at all times
• Able to learn and effectively apply knowledge of a variety of agricultural products and services
• Able to utilize GPS equipment
• Able to effectively communicate with customers
• Able to apply logic and understanding to carry out instructions provided in written, oral, or diagram form
• Able to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
• Computer literacy to operate SSC business systems
• 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 with time constraints and deadlines
• Able to demonstrate team work and flexibility to meet customer and business needs
• Able to work extended hours to meet business demands especially during peak seasons

Work Environment

Performs essential job functions in a variety of settings depending upon location, including: driving SSC delivery vehicles, a warehouse environment (not climate controlled experiencing seasonal temperatures and humidity), a sales showroom, and outdoors where there may not be protection from weather conditions.

May be exposed to hazards including:

• Moving mechanical parts and vehicles
• Vibrations associated with operating a motor vehicle throughout the workday
• Dust, odors, fumes and hazardous chemicals associated with handling fertilizer, crop protectants, feed, seed, and other agricultural, residential, animal care and home care products
• Draughts, temperature changes and wet floors
• Noise levels where hearing protection is optional per PPE Plan

Schedule will vary based upon location. Must be able to work an alternate shift or schedule as determined by business need. Overtime may be required. Ability to report to work in adverse weather conditions is required.

Physical Activities & Requirements

• Continuously bend, crouch, stoop; drive motorized equipment; manual dexterity (fingers and hands) for controls, tools and equipment; reach with arms and hands for extended periods while driving and operating equipment; utilize hands in repetitive motion; utilize eye/hand/foot coordination; twist back and neck. Pull, push, lift, carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently balance, kneel, shovel, stack, sweep; climb in and out of vehicle throughout the shift; stand and walk for extended periods on uneven surfaces; utilize feet in repetitive motion. Pull, push, lift, carry 50-80 pounds, may be assisted.
• Occasionally pull, push, lift, carry 80-100 pounds, may be assisted.

Must be able to hear vehicle and equipment sounds, co-workers and radio. Must be able to speak to co-workers and customers regarding operations and safety. Specific vision abilities required by this position include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Tools & Equipment

Tools & Equipment will vary with essential job functions, including but not limited to: Motor vehicles, hand held scanner, hard hat, steel toe shoes, safety glasses, gloves, scale, utility knife, forklift, front-end loader, pallet jack, skid loader, manuals, forms, spreadsheets, logs, diagrams, computer, printer, telephone, writing instrument. Additional personal protective equipment as required by any and all product warning labels.

Southern States Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, family medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws, or regulations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, functions and skills required for this job. Functions and requirements may change at any time with or without notice.