Local Fleet Driver

BookingPal, Inc; Santa Maria, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Bonipak is seeking a Local CDL Driver/Yard Hostler to move trailers and products between company facilities and local destinations, supporting transportation, shipping, receiving, and production operations. Responsibilities include local pickups and deliveries, staging trailers, yard organization, safety inspections, and maintaining accurate logs while upholding food safety and customer service standards.

This role requires basic FMCSA knowledge, a clean driving record, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of CDL driving experience.
• Experience in agriculture, produce, refrigerated transportation, food manufacturing, or warehouse operations.
• Experience operating hostler equipment or yard tractors.
• Familiarity with transportation, dispatch, or warehouse management systems.

Responsibilities

• Move trailers safely throughout company yards and facilities using hostler equipment or road tractors.
• Perform local pickups and deliveries between facilities, growers, customers, and warehouses.
• Stage loaded and empty trailers at shipping/receiving docks and coordinate with shipping, receiving, and production teams.
• Monitor trailer inventory and ensure proper refrigeration readiness and cleanliness.

Skills

CDL driving experience

Agriculture / produce handling

Hostler equipment operation

Transportation/dispatch systems

Job description

Local Fleet Driver

Bonipak (Bonita Packing, Betteravia Farms, Alco Harvesting and Boni-Fresh) is a leader in growing, packing and shipping with many different job opportunities. Please check our Careers page often as we are always updating our Job Opportunities.

Job Title: Local CDL Driver/Yard Hostler

Department: Transportation

Compensation: $22.50 – $28.00 DOE

Hours: Monday – Saturday 8:00am to 4:30pm (2 days off per week)

Job Summary

The Local CDL Driver / Yard Hostler is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of trailers, products, and materials between company facilities, growers, customers, cold storage facilities, and other local destinations. This position supports transportation, shipping, receiving, and production operations by performing local deliveries and pickups while also managing trailer movements and yard flow. The role plays a critical part in maintaining operational efficiency, product freshness, food safety, and customer service standards.

CDL Driving Responsibilities

• Operate Class A commercial vehicles safely and in compliance with FMCSA, DOT, and company regulations.
• Perform local pickups and deliveries between company facilities, grower locations, customers, suppliers, cold storage facilities, and warehouses.
• Transport fresh produce, packaging materials, ingredients, supplies, equipment, and other company assets.
• Support operational needs through local hauling of produce waste, culls, byproducts, and recyclable materials when required.
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report maintenance or safety concerns immediately.
• Complete all required documentation, including inspection reports, shipping paperwork, mileage records, and driver logs.
• Ensure all loads are secured and transported safely while meeting food safety and quality requirements.
• Maintain regular communication with dispatch, operations, shipping, and receiving personnel regarding schedules, delays, or issues.
• Provide professional customer service while representing Bonipak and Bonita Trucking.
• Move trailers safely throughout company yards and facilities using hostler equipment or road tractors.
• Stage loaded and empty trailers at designated shipping and receiving docks.
• Monitor trailer inventory and maintain organized trailer placement throughout the yard.
• Coordinate trailer movements with shipping, receiving, cooling, production, and logistics teams.
• Perform trailer inspections to verify cleanliness, damage status, and refrigeration readiness.
• Monitor reefer temperatures and report any issues affecting product quality.
• Support efficient dock utilization and trailer availability to minimize operational delays.
• Assist with yard organization and housekeeping to maintain a safe working environment.

Safety and Compliance Responsibilities

• Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
• Comply with FMCSA, DOT, OSHA, GMP, and food safety requirements.
• Participate in safety meetings and training programs.
• Immediately report accidents, incidents, injuries, equipment damage, and unsafe conditions.
• Maintain a clean driving record and operate equipment safely at all times.
• Support company food safety, security, and quality programs.

Preferred Skills

• Minimum one year of CDL driving experience.
• Experience in agriculture, produce, refrigerated transportation, food manufacturing, or warehouse operations.
• Experience operating hostler equipment or yard tractors.
• Familiarity with transportation, dispatch, or warehouse management systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to enter and exit tractors and trailers multiple times per shift.
• Ability to work in outdoor weather conditions and refrigerated environments.
• Ability to safely work around moving equipment and vehicle traffic.