Job Description

SUMMARY:

The Driver Helper is responsible for assisting the Delivery Driver with the coordination of inventory and unloading of trucks. Works with Delivery Driver to perform and complete all safety checks. The Driver Helper unloads and maintains product invoice counts for the Delivery Driver. Finally, always provides the highest level of customer service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists with the safe and efficient delivery of products by manually unloading merchandise using a two-wheel hand cart and metal truck ramps at customer locations.
• Works in a variety of temperature-controlled environments, including truck cooler and freezer compartments, while maintaining product integrity and food safety standards.
• Verifies customer orders by checking invoices against products loaded and delivered, ensuring accuracy and completeness of each shipment.
• Performs and documents required temperature checks to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and company standards.
• Conducts pre-trip and post-trip safety inspections of trucks and trailers, identifying and reporting any equipment defects, maintenance needs, or safety concerns.
• Assists the driver with navigating delivery locations, securing loads, and maintaining an organized and clean delivery vehicle.
• Provides professional and courteous customer service during deliveries, addressing customer questions and helping resolve minor delivery issues.
• Adheres to all company safety policies, DOT regulations, and safe lifting and material-handling practices.
• Maintains accurate delivery documentation and communicates delivery discrepancies, product damages, or customer concerns to management as needed.
• Establishes and maintains effective work relationships within the department, the Company, and the community; and maintains the professional competence, knowledge, and skill necessary for the satisfactory performance of all assigned responsibilities.
• Poses no direct threat to the health or safety of himself/herself, of others, or to property. Defined as a significant risk of substantial harm that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by reasonable accommodation.
• Requires regular attendance to perform essential element as contained herein between the assigned start and end times for work.
• Performs such individual assignments as management may direct.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

Experience

• No experience necessary

Skills

• Ability to perform the duties of a loading, unloading and inventory.
• Comprehension of basic warehouse and delivery operations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 6 months of experience in a delivery or warehouse setting.
• Interest in pursuing a CDL A license/Delivery Driver career with ULF

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION & WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Visual acuity is required.
• The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. Frequently lifts, carries, pushes, and pulls products of varying weights throughout the workday in a fast-paced distribution environment.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 60 pounds.
• The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Must have ability to safely transport product using a loaded two-wheel cart walked down a ramp.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT UPPER LAKES FOODS

Upper Lakes Foods is the largest independent wholesale food distributor in Minnesota. The company has three facilities located in Cloquet, MN, Northfield, MN and Janesville, WI. We distribute food throughout the Upper Midwest. Upper Lakes Foods specializes in serving foodservice operators such as independent restaurants, assisted living facilities, schools, and national and regional foodservice chain accounts with a strong focus on customer service. Simply put, the mission is to build value for each customer, employee, supplier and community we serve by bringing the best; the best products, best people and best ideas.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.