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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hub Driver

💰 $32,000 - $50,000

LogisticsTransportationWarehouseDistribution

🎯 Role Definition

The Hub Driver is a frontline logistics professional who operates company vehicles to transport goods between distribution centers, regional hubs and delivery routes while maintaining safety, accuracy and timeliness. This role requires strong driving skills, familiarity with warehouse procedures and systems (WMS/RF scanners), the ability to load/unload freight safely, and excellent communication with dispatch, warehouse teams and customers. The Hub Driver ensures goods move through the supply chain efficiently, supports inventory reconciliation at hubs, and helps maintain fleet and equipment standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Operative / Picker-Packer
  • Driver’s Mate / Delivery Assistant
  • Local Courier or Van Driver

Advancement To:

  • Senior Hub Driver / Lead Driver
  • Route Supervisor or Shift Supervisor (Hub)
  • Fleet Coordinator or Logistics Coordinator
  • Operations Manager (Distribution/Transport)

Lateral Moves:

  • Local Delivery Driver / Last-Mile Driver
  • Yard/Marshalling Operative
  • Forklift Operator / Warehouse Team Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate delivery vehicles safely and legally between distribution hubs, regional depots and customer sites, adhering to local traffic laws, company fleet policies and hours-of-service regulations.
  • Execute pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections, document defects, and coordinate routine servicing and repairs with fleet maintenance to ensure vehicle safety and uptime.
  • Load and unload pallets, crates and packaged goods using pallet jacks, hand trucks and forklifts (where licensed), applying safe lifting techniques and correct palletization to prevent product damage.
  • Accurately scan and update shipments using handheld RF scanners or mobile devices integrated with the Warehouse Management System (WMS), ensuring real-time inventory tracking and proof-of-delivery (POD) capture.
  • Follow planned delivery and transfer schedules and optimize on-route stops within assigned hub routes to meet SLA/KPI targets such as on-time transfers and dwell-time reduction.
  • Verify shipment contents, counts and labels against manifests and transfer documentation, flagging discrepancies immediately to hub supervisors and completing required correction paperwork.
  • Complete required shipping, receiving and handover paperwork, including manifests, consignee signatures, damage reports and electronic POD submission within specified timelines.
  • Load freight in a secure and space-efficient manner to maintain vehicle stability, observe weight restrictions, and protect goods from shifting or moisture damage during transit.
  • Communicate proactively with dispatch, operations and customer service teams regarding delays, missed collections, traffic incidents or damaged goods that affect customer satisfaction or network throughput.
  • Adhere to all health & safety policies in the hub and during transport, including PPE use, safe stacking protocols, hazardous materials segregation, and emergency response procedures.
  • Perform yard and dock management duties at the hub such as trailer marshalling, coupling/uncoupling, segregating inbound/outbound freight and confirming bay allocations with the shift lead.
  • Use route planning tools, GPS navigation and traffic analytics to select the most efficient routes while updating dispatch of any diversions or estimated arrival time changes.
  • Escalate and document incidents, vehicle collisions, or customer claims in line with company incident-reporting procedures and cooperate with investigations and insurance processes.
  • Maintain a professional customer-facing presence during handovers, obtaining accurate recipient signatures, answering queries about delivery windows and escalating service exceptions to customer support.
  • Participate in daily briefings and debriefs, provide condition and performance feedback to hub management, and suggest continuous improvement ideas to reduce handling times and damage rates.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc cross-dock activities such as pre-sorting loads, pallet wrapping and staging high-priority shipments to meet dynamic hub demands.
  • Assist with cycle counts, inventory reconciliations and exception investigations at the hub to ensure stock accuracy and reduce shipment errors.
  • Train and mentor new driver hires and temporary staff on hub procedures, safe driving, equipment operation and use of handheld scanning devices.
  • Help implement and sustain lean practices within the hub, such as reducing double handling and improving load sequencing for quicker turnarounds.
  • Participate in safety audits, toolbox talks and compliance checks (e.g., licensing, tachograph, vehicle logbooks) and implement corrective actions when required.
  • Support the coordination of third-party carriers and sub-haul providers during peak periods, ensuring transfer documentation is complete and standards are met.
  • Carry out basic vehicle troubleshooting and minor on-site repairs (battery jumps, tire checks), documenting actions and arranging for professional repairs as necessary.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Valid driving license appropriate to vehicle class (e.g., Class B, C, HGV, CDL) and a clean driving record; endorsements/certifications such as CPC or Class 2/3 where required by region.
  • Hands-on experience with handheld RF scanners, mobile data terminals and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) like SAP, Oracle WMS, Manhattan or proprietary systems.
  • Proficiency operating warehouse equipment including manual pallet jacks, electric pallet trucks and counterbalance forklifts (CPCS/RTITB certification preferred).
  • Knowledge of load securement, palletization standards and weight distribution rules for safe transport.
  • Familiarity with route planning and navigation tools (Google Maps, TomTom, Fleet Management platforms) and basic GPS troubleshooting.
  • Ability to accurately complete shipping/receiving documentation, manifests and electronic proof-of-delivery (ePOD) systems.
  • Understanding of DOT/HSE/transport compliance requirements, hours-of-service regulation and hazardous materials segregation (ADR or HazMat basics preferred).
  • Basic mechanical aptitude for pre-trip inspections and minor fault identification (e.g., fluid checks, tire condition, lights).
  • Experience with inventory control processes, cycle counting and handling shipment discrepancies.
  • Competence in using company communication tools (radio, mobile apps) and escalating operational issues via ticketing or ERP systems.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent time management and route prioritization skills to consistently meet delivery and transfer SLAs.
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy when verifying shipment contents and completing documentation.
  • Clear, professional verbal and written communication with dispatch, warehouse staff and customers.
  • Customer-service orientation with the ability to de-escalate service issues and maintain a positive company image.
  • Team player who collaborates with cross-functional hub teams during peak periods and process changes.
  • Problem-solving mindset and the ability to make safe on-the-spot decisions under time pressure.
  • Adaptability to changing schedules, weather conditions and unexpected operational disruptions.
  • Physical stamina and resilience for repetitive lifting, bending and prolonged periods on the vehicle when required.
  • Dependability: punctuality, attendance and readiness for rostered shifts, weekend or night work depending on hub operations.
  • Commitment to safety culture and continuous improvement; willingness to suggest and implement process enhancements.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma, GED or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate in Transport & Logistics, Fleet Operations or related short courses (CPC, ADR awareness, RTITB forklift).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Transport & Logistics
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Fleet Operations
  • Warehouse Operations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years working in distribution, warehousing or delivery driving roles.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years operating commercial vehicles within a hub, cross-dock or multisite distribution environment.
  • Demonstrated experience using WMS and RF scanning technology, and handling palletized freight at scale.
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