Delivery Driver CDL-A Trainee

Are you ready to hit the open road and explore the vibrant community around Cloquet? As a Delivery Driver Trainee at Upper Lakes Foods you’ll be part of an energetic team that keeps our customers smiling with every delivery. With a competitive pay rate of $23.50 an hour, you’ll find that our commitment to your growth and success is as strong as your desire to deliver quality food products.

This role isn’t just a job; it’s your chance to learn about logistics, enhance your driving skills, and contribute to a customer-centric mission. Every day holds something new, from navigating fresh routes to building relationships with our valued clients. You will receive great benefits such as Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life Insurance, and Health Savings Account.

Come drive your career forward and become an essential part of the Upper Lakes Foods family!

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 food service operators such as independent restaurants, assisted living facilities, schools, and national and regional food service 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.

As a Delivery Driver Trainee at Upper Lakes Foods you’ll embark on an exciting journey filled with hands-on experiences! You’ll start by manually unloading products using a two-wheel cart on metal truck ramps, ensuring our deliveries are seamless. Working diligently in the truck's cooler and freezer sections, you’ll check customer invoices and complete essential temperature checks to guarantee the quality of our food products.

Safety is paramount; you’ll perform safety inspections of the truck and trailer while establishing effective relationships within the department and community.

Not only will you gain valuable insights into the delivery process, but you'll also work towards obtaining your Class A permit within 30-60 days, setting the stage for your driving knowledge and skills as you prepare for the Class A license test. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to take on additional assignments as directed by management. Let’s hit the road together!

To thrive as a Delivery Driver Trainee at Upper Lakes Foods certain skills and requirements are essential. A high school diploma or equivalent is mandatory, and candidates must be 21 years or older. While no prior experience is necessary, a keen interest in pursuing a CDL A license and a delivery driver career is highly encouraged.

You should be able to pass the Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) standards to meet our hiring and insurability criteria. Strong comprehension of basic warehouse and delivery operations will set you up for success. Physical agility is key; you ll frequently lift and move up to 50 pounds and occasionally more.

Excellent communication skills are necessary for effective interaction during deliveries. While maneuvering a loaded two-wheel cart down ramps, your ability to maintain balance and coordination will be vital. Regular attendance is crucial to ensure smooth operations, and we welcome candidates who may need reasonable accommodations to perform their essential job functions.

If you think this job is a fit for what you are looking for, great! We re excited to meet you!

Equal opportunity employer statement:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Final candidates are required to successfully complete a background check, MVR, pre-employment lift evaluations, and pre-employment DOT drug screening prior to their employment start date. All offers of employment are conditional and contingent upon the Company's receipt of satisfactory results from a comprehensive background investigation and MVR and a negative result on a pre-employment lift evaluation and DOT drug screen. Failure to successfully complete either requirement may result in withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal, state, and local law.