Driver Support (Route Trainee) at Pepin Distributing Company – Tampa, Florida

Want to start your career to become a class A CDL driver? Look no further! As Driver Support, you will begin to gain industry knowledge with our drivers delivering beer. This position provides training to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL-A), a first step in an impressive career path which can lead motivated individuals into sales leadership. If you want to become a CDL driver that stays local, then this is the job for you!

Our Driver Support teammates assist Drivers in delivering package & draft products to accounts on assigned route and on assigned schedule. Driver Support helps unload, stock, and rotate products in stores and other retail accounts. Our Driver Support teammates interact with customers, answer any questions, and complete necessary delivery documentation.

Work Schedule: Full-time: Monday-Friday; 5:00 AM start time

Starting Pay: $37,000 to $45,000

CDL Training: Free CDL Class A training provided

What You’ll Do:

• Responsible for assisting the driver in counting inventory on the truck and when delivering to each account.
• Help with product deliveries by reviewing pick sheet for account, pulling proper products from bays, stacking products on a dolly, and wheeling them into each account
• Assist driver with account transactions and end-of-day settlement procedures as required.
• Follows Company Sales and Merchandising Standards guidelines to ensure the merchandising of all products including restocking to avoid out-of-stock, making minor legal space adjustments, building displays, installing, placing, and providing Point of Sales and pricing product as allowed by retailers.
• Learn to establish and maintain good customer service relations by ensuring backrooms and shelves are left orderly, deliveries are made as scheduled, providing respectful courtesy to retailers and shoppers, etc.
• Learn how the role helps enforce the Anheuser Busch equity agreement and other supplier contract Code Date policies
• Receive training on the check-in/out process is essential to ensure proper settlement, and to handle any damaged, short code, or out-of-code products at Check-In.
• Learn the basics of CDL training and compliance by assisting the Driver in pre and post trip truck inspections
• Ensure clock in/out at designated time clock
• Follows safe working and driving practices, adheres to Company Policies, rules, and regulations, and promptly addresses or reports any obvious hazards to the supervisor if they cannot be immediately corrected.
• Adheres to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act
• Other duties as assigned

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• One (1) year of general work experience preferred. Prior grocery store and/or consumer products experience a strong plus.
• Military experience equivalency may substitute for some requirements.
• Daily, in person travel within the service territories of Pepin is required.
• Excellent communication, organizational and assertive skills
• Must be able to perform physically demanding work, to include frequent lifting of cases 25-40 pounds, and the frequent lifting and handling of kegs that weigh up to 161 pounds.
• Able to obtain Class A-CDL permit and medical card
• Able to handle alcohol, and work within regulatory guidelines
• Must have a smart phone with a camera and data capability
• Must hold a valid US Driver’s license for a minimum of 1 year
• Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License and driving record within MVR policy guidelines

The Physical Requirements:

• Talk, hear, and see (including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus)
• Continuous standing and walking, up to 8 to 12 hours at a time
• Continuous lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 20-161lbs
• Ability to operate a two or four-wheel dolly
• Must be able to push 300lbs dolly load and move 161lb kegs
• Must be able to safely operate a pallet jack
• Frequent climbing, pushing, pulling, and maneuvering dolly, hand truck, bay roll up doors, straps, curb ramps, truck doors, boxes, cases, kegs

The Perks:

• Competitive compensation
• A full range of benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with a company match
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid parental leave
• Career development training
• On-site gym facilities
• Free products and beverage gifts throughout the year
• Annual safety footwear allowance
• Branded Company workwear provided

Pre-Employment Screening:

• Drug test and background screen required

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.