CDL Live Haul Driver Trainee

Pilgrim; Cold Spring (MN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision coverage

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

Pilgrim’s is hiring a Live Haul Driver Trainee in Minnesota to safely transport live birds from farms to support production needs. You will operate and inspect hauling equipment, document deliveries, and communicate with farm staff and drivers to maintain quality and safety.

The role emphasizes bio-security, animal welfare, and adherence to transportation regulations. Benefits include health coverage and 401(k), with a starting hourly rate of $31.46 plus incentives.

Qualifications

• Valid Class A commercial driver license (CDL) and 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 written and verbal directions, the appropriate skill to drive a truck safely, driving rules knowledge, and good hand–eye coordination.

Responsibilities

• Operate live haul trucks safely and efficiently.
• Conduct equipment inspections following company guidelines and report issues to the Supervisor.
• Operate trucks to maintain product quality and integrity.
• Operates forklifts, loading trucks at contract growers safely and efficiently.
• Communicate effectively with associates, maintenance staff, growers, and supervisors regarding farm conditions and other information.
• Maintain equipment, keep trucks and work areas clean, neat, and orderly.
• Maintain strict bio-security and animal welfare at farms.
• Follow Packers and Stockyards guidelines for weighing live poultry.
• Follow truck tarping guidelines during inclement weather.
• Pick up each flock as directed.
• Follow housekeeping schedule with PPE.
• Foster a positive work environment through teamwork.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Farming/agriculture experience preferred.

Skills

CDL Class A

12 months experience

Biosecurity

Communication

Job description

At Pilgrim’s, Safety Is A Condition , which means the safety of our team members comes first - always.

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. By adhering to transportation regulations, biosecurity protocols, and company policies, the Live Haul Driver Trainee plays a vital role in supporting operational continuity, bird health, and the overall success of Pilgrim’s supply chain.

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.


• Operates forklift s, 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.


• Maintains very strict bio- security and animal welfare at the farms.


• Follows Packers and Stocky ards guidelines for weighing live poultry.


• Follows 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.

What You’ll Need:

• Certifications & Licenses: A pplicants must have a valid Class A commercial driver license (CDL) and have 12 months of verifiable tractor/trailer experience within the past 36 months.


• Eligibility: N o positive test for drugs or alcohol in the past 5 years .


• Skills: Must have the following: able to operate an automatic CMV and be willing to get a manual endorsement within 6 months of hire with company support , able to follow both written and verbal directions, the appropriate skill to drive a truck safely, working knowledge of driving and traffic rules, and good hand an d eye coordination .

Abilities:

Must have the following: able to lift 50 lbs. or more , able to work in dusty conditions , and able to communicate effectively with others in a manner that ma intains harmony with co-workers.

Farming/ a griculture e xperience p referre d.

Why Work for Pilgrim’s ?

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


• Benefits : Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment.


• Paid T ime 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.


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


• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs; and

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

About us:

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, th e Republic of Ireland and continental Europe.

Our mission:

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:

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

Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do not accept unsolicited assistance from any recruitment vendors for any of our open jobs. All resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee at JBS and its companies or via the applicant tracking system, in any form without a valid written request and search agreement previously approved by HR, will be solely owned by JBS and its companies. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by JBS and its companies because of an unsolicited referral.