Yard Hostler

Join The Tillamook Team

Come join the Tillamook Team, one of the fastest-growing dairy brands in the US, where we play to win to create over 200 dairy products in 7 different categories: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, cream cheese and frozen meals. Our uncompromising quality has led us to become the #1 Cheddar, #2 Cream Cheese and #3 Family Size Ice Cream brand, but we're not stopping there. We're loading up for our best years to come and want you to join us.

As a farmer-owned cooperative since 1909, we know that being good stewards for our stakeholders and doing a little extra always pays off. We're looking for team members with a one team and genuine care mindset who are inspired to share the delight of the Tillamook brand with each other and others every day.

Job Responsibilities

The yard hostler is responsible for moving TCCA fleet trailers to and from loading dock doors, etc. in the truck lot area at the Tillamook plant (Cold Storage, Dry Dock/Ice Cream, Whey Plant, Truck Shop, and Pallet Barn). Must have attention to detail and be willing to take direction from team members in both logistics and warehouse departments. Must have general knowledge of equipment and be competent at backing tractor/trailers in a safe and efficient manner. Must maintain a safe speed in the truck yard.

Here's a day in the life:

• Using the yard truck (yard goat), the hostler will move trailers to and from dock doors as needed to ensure they are loaded timely for both the fleet and warehouse.
• The yard truck must complete a thorough pre-trip inspection at the start of each shift checking all items as if it were an "Over the Road" truck. Use a paper DVIR forms and notify truck shop mechanics of any deficiencies.
• Select and assign the appropriate trailers to satisfy the needs of customers orders.
• Check trailers for safety requirements, notify the mechanic shop of any issues.
• Monitor reefer set points and verify that they are set correctly.
• When a trailer is placed at a door to be loaded, the hostler driver must ensure that the trailer is clean and ready to load, and the reefer is set and running at the correct temperature.
• Assist the warehouse with loading TCCA fleet loads.
• When a loaded trailer is ready to pull from the door, the reefer temperature must be checked to ensure that the setpoint is correct and the unit is functioning properly, the trailer number should also be verified to ensure the correct load was loaded. The trailer must be sealed and locked once pulled away from the dock.
• All loaded trailers must be weighed on the TCCA truck scale to ensure that the axle weights are within legal weight limits and the axles are in the appropriate position with trailer slide axle pins in locked position.
• The trailer needs to be spotted in the yard on metal plates, and ensure trailer is not dropped too high or too low for fleet trucks to couple safely. Adjust height as necessary with trailer landing gear.
• Verify driver clipboards are all accurate and deliver to the truck shop before going home.
• Fueling of Yard Goat, and trailers as needed.
• At the end of each day:
  • Verify proper trailer numbers are documented on each driver's delivery (Tour) paperwork for the next day's delivery.
  • All customers' BOL's and other required paperwork is on each driver's clipboard.
  • All drivers' clipboards are taken from Cold Storage and staged in the driver's check-in area in truck shop breakroom.
  • Conduct a final yard check daily to verify all loaded trailer reefers are operating and temperatures are at correct setpoint.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be able to maintain the standards of TCCA's driving program.
• Assist in training of all new / relief hostlers.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Must be computer literate with a beginner knowledge of Microsoft D365, Outlook and Teams.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is a plus.
• Must have intermediate knowledge of CS 1 duties and basic knowledge / understanding of CS 2 duties.

We offer outstanding benefits to our employees. For more information, please visit the careers page.

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion where all employees are heard, valued and feel a sense of belonging. We rely on different perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds and cultures to inform our work, to help us be better as a brand and as an employer and to fuel our success. We are seeking talent from a wide range of diversity, perspectives, and backgrounds to join our exceptional organization and help us build our future.

Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a Drug-Free Workplace. EEO

TCCA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability status (including those related to pregnancy and childbirth), protected veteran status, membership/non-membership in a labor organization, or any other characteristic protected by law.