Live Haul Driver Trainee

About the role

The Live Haul Driver Trainee is responsible for the safe and efficient transport of live birds from company poultry farms, ensuring timely delivery to support production needs. This role operates and maintains commercial hauling equipment, follows established delivery schedules, and upholds company standards for safety, quality, and reliability. The driver trainee collaborates closely with live haul personnel, live production teams, and farm staff to ensure accurate delivery, proper documentation, and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Operate live haul trucks safely and efficiently.
• Conduct equipment inspections following company guidelines and report issues to the Supervisor.
• Operate trucks in a manner that maintains product quality and integrity.
• Operate forklifts, loading trucks at contract growers in a safe and efficient manner.
• Communicate effectively—both verbally and in writing—with associates, maintenance staff, growers, and supervisors regarding farm conditions and other relevant information.
• Maintain equipment, keep trucks and work areas clean, neat, and orderly.
• Maintain very strict bio-security and animal welfare at the farms.
• Follow Packers and Stockyards guidelines for weighing live poultry.
• Follow truck tarping guidelines during periods of inclement weather.
• Pick up each flock as directed.
• Follow the housekeeping schedule, using proper techniques and required PPE.
• Foster a positive work environment through cooperative communication and teamwork.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Valid Class A commercial driver license (CDL) with 12 months of verifiable tractor/trailer experience within the past 36 months.
• No positive test for drugs or alcohol in the past 5 years.
• Able to operate an automatic CMV and willing to get a manual endorsement within 6 months of hire with company support.
• Able to follow both written and verbal directions.
• Working knowledge of driving and traffic rules.
• Good hand and eye coordination.
• Able to lift 50 lbs. or more.
• Able to work in dusty conditions.
• Able to communicate effectively with others in a manner that maintains harmony with co-workers.
• Farming/agriculture experience preferred.

Benefits

• Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment.
• Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation, company observed holidays, or any other statutorily required paid leave.
• 401(k): Company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule.
• Career Development: Continuous learning opportunities and focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.

Pay

Base hourly salary: $31.46 per hour (includes $1.00 per hour shift differential and a $3.00 Perfect Attendance Incentive).

Schedule

Sunday – Thursday, primarily night shift, with weekend work required on an as-needed basis.

About us

Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland, and continental Europe.

Our mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders, and the opportunity of a better future for all our team members.

Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity.