Yarmule Driver

Position Summary: A yard mule driver is a specialized logistics professional who operates terminal tractors to maneuver trailers within a distribution center or freight yard. Yard mule operators are responsible for the safe and efficient performance of terminal tractors.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Knowing and acting in accordance with Patterson’s vision to “Strive to Serve” our customers, partners, and fellow employees with every interaction
• Use a yard mule to rapidly move 53-foot trailers between parking slips and warehouse dock doors.
• Execute high-precision backing maneuvers into tight spaces with mere inches of clearance.
• Perform pre- and post shift safety inspections on equipment and trailers to identify damage or defects.
• Conduct “yard audits” to track trailer locations and maintain accurate digital inventory using Yard Management Systems.
• Assist with basic maintenance and fueling of tractors
• Completing an inspection of assigned material handling equipment before every shift to ensure equipment is operating properly and reporting any issues or damages
• Properly inspecting, using, and caring for assigned hand-held scanning equipment
• Accurately and efficiently performing various warehouse activities, including but not limited to moving, sorting, checking, packing, wrapping, tying, labeling, receiving, and shipping warehouse inventory
• Verifying order accuracy by visual checks and scanning procedures
• Reading and interpreting shipping labels
• Maintaining high levels of inventory accuracy through inventory control procedures
• Maintaining a clean, orderly and safe work environment, including such duties as sweeping, picking up trash, or organizing empty pallets
• Performing work associated with warehousing, material handling, and other related duties as assigned

Physical and Mental Demands: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to access all areas of company warehouses and frequently stand, walk, use hands to feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to stand, sit, and walk for a minimum of 8 hours during a workday.

Due to the nature of the position, safety awareness and the ability to maintain a high level of concentration is required, particularly when operating a forklift and related machinery. The employee should have the ability to follow instructions in a changing environment and to complete an entire assigned shift.

The employee should have 20/40 or better vision in at least one eye, be able to see details of objects that are close by, and have peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust their focus. The employee should have good hand-eye-foot-hand coordination, spatial awareness, and the ability to focus on one sound while ignoring others.

The employee should have sufficient stamina to keep up with the physical demands of loading heavy materials and working in a fast-paced shipping and receiving environment. Ascending and/or descending from forklifts throughout the shift will be constant and routine. The employee must have a full range of movement and be able to climb on and off a forklift quickly and safely. The employee is required to maintain body balance while ascending or descending the forklift, and to maintain body equilibrium while bending at the waist or at the knees. The employee is routinely required to reach with hands and arms; work with the hand or hands in handling, seizing, holding, or grasping motions and with the fingers in fingering, picking and pinching actions to operate objects, tools or controls. The employee will be subject to repetitive motion of arms, wrists, hands, feet and fingers.

Work Environment: High-velocity, industrial setting.While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, wet or humid conditions, outdoor weather conditions, temperature extreme cold, and noise levels ranging from moderate to loud. The job requires consistently working with and around moving parts. The employee may be required to operate forklifts. The employee may be required to use Personal Protective Equipment to include steel toe or non-slippery shoes, back belt, and eye protection.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education High school diploma (or equivalent) required

Experience 1 year of warehouse experience preferred

Skills/Capabilities

• A valid driver’s license is required. A Class A CDL is preferred
• Strong verbal and analytical skills are required
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English required
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus, but not required
• Must be able to interpret documents such as shipping labels, shipping manifests, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Must be able to safely operate mechanized terminal tractor, lifting machinery, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, order pickers, side loaders, reach fork trucks, or counterbalance forklifts