Lead Driver

Nathan James is looking for a Lead Driver to handle drayage and local transportation in the Reno-Sparks area. This person will manage Nathan James’ equipment and be responsible for all of our metrics surrounding drayage and transfers between local facilities.

People-first company, design-first home.

We are a design-first, home furnishing company focused on designing beautiful pieces at honest prices. We blend emerging trends with timeless values that empower people to bring their dream homes to life. We also value our customers' time and energy by providing world class customer service to every person who interacts with our company.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

POSITION SUMMARY:

In addition to managing NJ’s drayage from/to the Oakland Port and local transportation, the Lead Driver is responsible for the safety, care and compliance of NJ’s transportation equipment. This includes, but is not limited to the below primary responsibilities:

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Safely operate Class A commercial vehicles in compliance with company policies and applicable regulations

• Pick up import containers from designated ports/terminals and deliver them to company facilities

• Return empty containers to designated port/terminal locations

• Transfer product and equipment between company facilities, as needed

• Verify container, chassis & shipment information and ensure equipment is properly connected and secured before movement

• Follow assigned schedules, port/terminal procedures, and company’s requirements

• Promptly communicate delays, detention or other operational exceptions

• Perform and document required pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the tractor and chassis

• Monitor equipment conditions and immediately report defects, damage, warning indicators or maintenance concerns

• Do not operate equipment determined to be unsafe or placed out of service

• Fuel, maintain cleanliness and properly care for company equipment to prevent unnecessary damage or excessive wear

• Operate in compliance with DOT/FMCSA regulations, traffic laws, Hours-of-Service/ELD requirements and company safety policies

• Maintain a valid CDL, DOT medical certification and all other required driver qualifications and compliance requirements

• Immediately report accidents, injuries, equipment/cargo damage, citations, roadside inspections or out-of-service orders by informing the team and completing required documentation

• Participate in required safety and compliance training

• Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for the condition, maintenance and readiness of the company tractor and chassis fleet

• Maintain and monitor preventive maintenance schedules, annual inspections, registrations and other equipment requirements

• Coordinate routine maintenance, repairs, inspections and roadside service with approved vendors

• Identify developing equipment issues and proactively coordinate repairs to minimize downtime

• Maintain accurate maintenance, repair, inspection and equipment records in company-designated systems

• Monitor the condition and availability of all chassis, including equipment not currently in use

• Provide day-to-day equipment and operational direction to the other CDL driver

• Ensure equipment defects reported by drivers are documented, addressed and escalated to management, when necessary

• Assist with driver training, equipment familiarization and reinforcement of company safety and equipment-care expectations

• Escalate recurring safety, equipment, performance or operational concerns to the Director of Distribution and/or Director of Logistics

• Provide management with regular updates on equipment condition, open repairs, upcoming maintenance and fleet availability

• Maintain and submit required shipment, container, delivery and equipment documentation using company-designated systems

• Provide required photos or supporting documentation for containers, chassis, damage or other exceptions

• Accurately report detention, waiting time, delays, equipment issues and other operational concerns

• Maintain timely communication with the Fleet Lead and management regarding daily operations

• Follow day-to-day operational and equipment direction provided by the Fleet Lead and management

• Work collaboratively with the Director of Distribution, Director of Logistics, warehouse teams, and other company employees

• Assist with equipment positioning, training and other fleet-related activities, as needed

• Perform other transportation-related duties, as needed, to support business operations

REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION:

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and current DOT medical certification

• Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®) preferred

• Acceptable motor vehicle record and ability to meet applicable DOT/FMCSA driver qualification and drug/alcohol testing requirements

• Intermodal, drayage, or container transportation experience strongly preferred

• Strong knowledge of commercial vehicle inspections, Hours-of-Service (HOS) and ELD requirements

• Ability to identify equipment defects, maintenance needs and potential safety concerns

• Basic understanding of tractor/chassis maintenance and preventive maintenance requirements

• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving and leadership skills

• Ability to work independently, take ownership and effectively coordinate with drivers, management, as well as, maintenance vendors

• Comfortable using smartphones, ELDs and company systems for communication, maintenance tracking or documentation

• Ability to safely enter/exit commercial vehicles and perform required vehicle/equipment inspections.

• Ability to bend, reach, climb and connect/disconnect tractor or chassis components, as required

• Ability to perform duties outdoors in varying weather conditions

• Ability to meet all physical requirements associated with maintaining a valid DOT medical certification

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of Class A tractor-trailer driving experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills and strong attention to detail

• Strong knowledge of equipment maintenance and mechanics to manage any 3rd party repairs

• Experience performing drayage and understanding how to navigate/manage port pick ups and empty container drop offs

 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment is moderately noisy. The employee will occasionally be required to enter facilities where warehouse equipment (both mobile and stationary) will be active. There is exposure to dust and changes in weather conditions. Employee must be able to work in a high-volume, high-demand environment while meeting strenuous deadlines. Employee must be able to change priorities or job duties as needed and interact with employees at all levels.

This is a unique opportunity to grow within a thriving company & expanding logistics team within the United States. Not only will you have ample opportunity to learn and expose yourself to multiple areas throughout the fields of distribution & supply chain development, you will have the chance to work with individuals that are focused and actively working on continual improvement in these fields.  This position is the chance to be an impactful member of a team from day one and to be able to contribute to creative logistic solutions to help meet the increasing demands from both inbound & outbound year after year.

 

ABOUT YOU:

We’re looking for someone who is knowledgeable and eager to provide valuable input into a growing transportation team.  The ideal candidate for this job is someone that is a self-proclaimed people person; someone who is patient and thorough when teaching, as well as someone who is persistent and adamant when identifying co-workers performing actions incorrectly or not following proper procedures.  The ability to quickly master the areas of responsibility that are given to this position, while continuing to provide insight into areas that they have experience with will be the best way to not only succeed in this role, but to thrive and grow within this role.

If everything you’ve read so far is exciting you in a very natural and not forced way, then you are the type of person to be a key contributor to innovation and scaling a business like Nathan James!

 

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please submit an application here  that speaks directly to this position. There are no right answers or cookie-cutter expectations. A cover letter is not required, but those that clearly demonstrate how Nathan James would be a great fit for you and how you would be a great fit for us will be given full attention and are highly appreciated.

We expect to take two weeks to review all applications. If you don’t hear from us by then, we have decided to move forward with other candidates.

If we choose to move forward to the next steps in the interview process, you’ll hear from us and advance to a brief video interview and then on to a work sample, where you’ll get a chance to see the types of challenges you would be solving in this role. Our interviews are all remote by video chat, with your future colleagues, on your schedule.

We aim to make an offer and have this person start by early November

We appreciate your consideration in having Nathan James be part of your career.

Our open conversation starts with this post. We look forward to hearing from you.
Check us out on LinkedIn here!