KeHE Company Over the Road (OTR) Driver

KeHE Driver Position

At KeHE, we're obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we're committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you'll be embarking on a career that's moving forward. When you join KeHE, you're becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

The Over-the-Road Intercompany Class A Driver safely and efficiently transports KeHE products, equipment, and other authorized freight between KeHE distribution centers, consolidation points, suppliers, customers, and approved third-party locations. The driver primarily supports intercompany network capacity and may also haul external, backhaul, or brokerage freight when assigned under the applicable operating authority. The role operates dry and temperature-controlled tractor-trailer equipment across multi-state routes while protecting product integrity, meeting appointments, maintaining accurate records, and providing timely exception communication. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE's Mission, Vision, and Values.

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operate assigned tractor-trailer equipment safely, lawfully, and professionally in varied traffic, terrain, weather, night, weekend, and holiday conditions.
• Execute DC-to-DC, supplier, customer, consolidation-center, and approved third-party pickups and deliveries in accordance with dispatch instructions and appointment requirements.
• Complete pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections; promptly report defects, damage, breakdowns, cargo concerns, and unsafe conditions.
• Comply with all applicable DOT and FMCSA requirements, hours-of-service rules, electronic logging requirements, drug and alcohol testing requirements, company policies, and site safety procedures.
• Maintain load security, legal axle and gross weights, trailer seals, bills of lading, proof of delivery, temperature records, fuel and toll receipts, and other trip documentation.
• Monitor refrigerated equipment and product-temperature requirements when hauling fresh, frozen, or temperature-sensitive freight; immediately escalate temperature deviations.
• Use KeHE-approved transportation systems, telematics, mobile applications, and communication tools to acknowledge assignments, update status, capture documentation, and report exceptions.
• Communicate proactively with dispatch, distribution centers, suppliers, customers, maintenance, safety, and other operating partners regarding arrival times, delays, detention, route changes, and service risks.
• Perform drop-and-hook, live-load, live-unload, trailer interchange, fueling, scaling, and approved yard activities as required by the assigned movement.
• Protect company assets, products, customer information, and confidential business information; maintain the cab and equipment in a clean and professional condition.
• Manage driving and rest time to complete assigned work within legal limits without compromising safety, product integrity, or service.
• Support network optimization by accepting lawful route adjustments, backhauls, intercompany repositioning, and approved external freight that improve asset utilization without putting priority KeHE service at risk.
• Perform other transportation duties and special assignments consistent with the role's safety, licensing, and operational requirements.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Driving record, safety history, PSP record, and background that meet KeHE and insurer qualification standards.
• Demonstrated ability to operate an ELD, navigation system, telematics platform, smartphone, and electronic trip-documentation tools.
• Ability to read and follow dispatch instructions, bills of lading, site procedures, route restrictions, equipment instructions, and emergency communications.
• Reliable attendance and availability for extended OTR assignments, nights, weekends, holidays, and weather-related schedule changes.
• Strong safety, on-time service, fuel-efficiency, documentation, and equipment-care record.
• Familiarity with Samsara or comparable ELD/telematics tools and a transportation management system.
• Zero preventable safety events and full compliance with DOT, HOS, ELD, food-safety, seal, and temperature-control requirements.
• On-time pickup and delivery performance consistent with KeHE fleet service targets and documented exception management.
• Complete and accurate trip, freight, equipment, fuel, detention, and proof-of-delivery records.
• Responsible fuel, idle, route, and equipment practices that support network cost and sustainability goals.
• Professional communication and conduct at every KeHE, supplier, customer, and third-party location.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• At least 21 years of age and legally qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.
• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License with endorsements required for assigned equipment and freight.
• Two years of verifiable Class A tractor-trailer experience, including at least one year of multi-state or OTR experience; a lower experience threshold may be approved only if it meets KeHE safety and insurance standards.
• Current DOT medical qualification and ability to satisfy all pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol testing and FMCSA Clearinghouse requirements.
• Experience with refrigerated or food-grade transportation, intercompany shuttle, relay, linehaul, or private-fleet operations preferred.
• Experience with drop-and-hook networks, live appointments, backhauls, and third-party shipper or receiver requirements preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The driver must be able to safely enter and exit tractor and trailer equipment; sit and drive for extended periods; couple and uncouple equipment; open and secure trailer doors; connect air and electrical lines; perform inspections at ground level and around equipment; and lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds, with occasional heavier effort as allowed by policy and reasonable accommodation. Work occurs in warehouses, yards, docks, highways, customer sites, and outdoor conditions that may include heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, noise, traffic, and uneven surfaces. The position is primarily no-touch linehaul but may require freight checks, pallet or load securement, and limited handling necessary to protect the load.

SCHEDULE AND HOME-TIME FRAME:

Routes are expected to operate in approximately two-week dispatch cycles. Drivers may be away from their home domicile for 10-14 consecutive days and may take qualifying rest periods in the sleeper berth or at an approved location. Scheduled home time should be defined before recruiting and communicated consistently; dispatch may include nights, weekends, holidays, and changes caused by service, weather, maintenance, or lawful hours-of-service constraints. The driver must never be directed or expected to violate HOS rules to meet an appointment.

Equal Employer Opportunity Statement: KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.