Driver

Hope Driver Position

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

A kitchen that produces thousands of meals a day is only as effective as its ability to get food where it needs to go — on time, at temperature, and intact. The Driver is the logistical link between HTM's central kitchen in North Hills and the sites across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles where people experiencing homelessness are waiting to be fed. That link has to hold.

Reporting to the Kitchen Logistics Manager, Drivers are responsible for the safe, timely, and accurate delivery of food, water, and supplies along assigned routes — loading and unloading vehicles, maintaining transport equipment, completing required logs, coordinating with site managers and kitchen staff, and supporting kitchen operations when not on route. The role spans three levels: Driver I focuses on reliable route execution and site communication; Driver II adds route optimization and new driver training; Driver III supervises the driver team, enforces safety standards, and serves as the operational lead for the logistics function.

Across all three levels, the standard is the same. Deliveries happen on schedule. Food safety protocols are followed without exception. Vehicle and equipment condition is maintained and reported. Problems are communicated immediately, not after the fact. At HTM, getting food to a site is not a logistical task — it is the final step in a process that begins with scratch cooking and ends with a meal served to someone who needs it. The Driver is accountable for that last mile.

Driver I

• Coordinates delivery and communication efforts with each site regarding deliveries.
• Focuses on ensuring the efficient operation of the kitchen through timely and accurate delivery support.
• Collaborates with drivers and kitchen staff to maintain smooth logistics.

Driver II

• Provides training and guidance to all new drivers.
• Helps plan and optimize daily delivery routes for maximum efficiency.
• Ensures transportation operations support the overall effectiveness of Food Services.
• Collaborates with drivers and kitchen staff to improve workflow.

Driver III

• Supervises the day-to-day activities of Driver I and Driver II team members.
• Helps plan and optimize daily delivery routes for maximum efficiency.
• Provides training, coaching, and ongoing guidance to drivers.
• Enforces safety protocols and driving standards across the team.
• Collaborates with drivers and kitchen staff to support efficient operations.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload delivery van with items for transport including insulated food pan carriers, water, food, dry goods, and equipment.
• Follow assigned route and delivery schedule
• Safely operate company vehicles and perform basic maintenance including maintaining operable gas levels, cleaning inside and outside of vehicles, tire pressure.
• Pick up donations as needed and assist with unloading.
• Notify the Chef-in-charge or supervisor of any issues or delays of deliveries immediately
• Notify the Chef-in-charge or supervisor upon departure and return on route.
• Maintain and clean transport containers including insulated food pan carriers, storage containers, dollies, utility carts, food pans.
• Complete necessary logs including: mileage, service, water, delivery, donation.
• Assist with incoming shipments, unload trucks including kitchen supplies, dry goods, perishables, and equipment.
• Maintain and inspect company transport vehicles during all working hours, reporting any issues to the Chef-in-charge.
• Perform a comprehensive examination of all pickups and deliveries to guarantee that they meet the required quality and accuracy standards.
• Coordinate loading, unloading of deliveries with team members including: site managers, Chef-in-charge, Kitchen Logistics team, drivers, security team.
• Assist with kitchen duties and maintenance outside of delivery routes during working hours.
• Assist with water and food supply maintenance for all sites on the assigned delivery route.
• Relay any comments, feedback, Food Service related issues to Chef-in-charge in a timely fashion.
• Maintain precise records of all the items picked up & delivered
• Assist with donation pickups, completing any necessary paperwork
• Practice FIFO (First in, First out) principles when stocking new deliveries.
• Execute optimal storage strategies that enhance capacity utilization, guaranteeing systematic structure and ease of access.
• Maintain inventory levels and ensure they're always sufficient to meet the demands of the kitchen operations. Notify the Chef-in-charge of any low stock levels.
• Follow inventory control measures to reduce or prevent the occurrence of waste and spoilage.
• Assist with Kitchen duties as needed
• Assist with walk-in refrigerator and freezer maintenance
• Assist with load out and drop offs for meals with kitchen staff and drivers
• Assist with cleaning and maintenance of all kitchen workspaces, and storage areas
• Assist with trash disposal and maintenance
• Assist with inventory management: restock ingredient bins and notify supervisors of any low stock items
• Work with volunteers and workers who help in meal preparation and service.
• Follow strict food safety regulations to maintain a safe environment for all.
• Perform any other tasks assigned with a positive attitude and a willingness to help.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary workspace
• Organize warehouse storage, dry storage areas
• Must be able to work in a standing position for extended periods of time
• Must be able to carry, lift, push, and pull up to 70lbs multiple times
• Must be able to regularly bend and stoop
• Must be able to work weekends and holidays
• Must follow strict requirements about food safety

Required Skills & Core Competencies

• Be a team player and have a great positive attitude
• Able to effectively collaborate with Food Services team members, supervisors as well as members of other departments.
• Have excellent organizational skills and time management skills; be able to function under time constraints and deadlines with attention to detail
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize daily tasks list

Qualifications

• Experience: 2+ years of driving experience, preferably in food service
• Experience with forklift, pallet jack and straddle stacker a plus
• Commitment to serving the needs of homeless families and individuals
• Food handler certification
• High school diploma or GED

Mandatory Requirements:

• Background Screening – Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing – Candidates must pass pre-employment and, if applicable, ongoing drug and alcohol screenings in accordance with company policy.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check – For roles requiring driving, employment is contingent upon an acceptable driving record.
• Legal Eligibility to Work – Candidates must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Compliance with Company Policies – All employees must comply with company policies, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.

Full-Time: 5:00am - 1:30pm; 10:30am - 7:00pm