Cargo Driver (PPD)

The purpose of the Driver role is to ensure the safe, efficient, compliant, and timely transportation of critical life sciences shipments, including biological samples, medical kits, MedTech supplies, and other related cargo. This position is pivotal in managing the logistics of shipments from airports, laboratories, and other designated locations, ensuring that all transportation processes are conducted with the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance. The driver is fully responsible for overseeing the proper handling, sorting, and documentation of all shipments, maintaining the integrity of the cargo, and ensuring its timely delivery. By managing operations at the airport and resolving any issues that arise, the driver plays a crucial role in the success of the logistics process, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of transportation services for life sciences products.

General Duties:

• Cargo Handling & Transport: Safely load of biological samples, medical kits, MedTech supplies, and other life science-related shipments, ensuring that shipments are handled and delivered on time.

• Cargo Inspection: Inspect the condition of cargo upon receipt to verify that it meets required standards.

• Vehicle and equipment Management: Maintain vehicles in optimal working conditions, performing regular inspections, including but not limited to engine, brakes, lights, fuel level, etc.

• Ensure cleanliness and readiness for daily operations.

• Operate cargo vans, pickup trucks, and trucks (up to 26’) safely and professionally

• Ensure GPS tracking, mobile phones, and security systems are fully functional prior to route start.

• Deadline Adherence: Understand and meet all shipment deadlines, ensuring that time-sensitive deliveries are prioritized and completed, taking into consideration airlines cut-off times.

• Documentation & Reporting: Accurately document transportation activities, including mileage logs, vehicle inspections, and any incidents that may occur during transport.

• Maintain vehicle logbooks and immediately report mechanical or operational issues to dispatch.

• Safety & Compliance: Comply with all TSA, airport, and transportation regulations, ensuring safety and confidentiality throughout the process. Report any accidents or issues immediately.

• Loading & Unloading cargo: Provide support in loading and unloading shipments, especially those exceeding 50 lbs., ensuring that all packages are securely handled.

Responsibilities:

• Full Responsibility for Airport Operations: Oversee all airport operations, from cargo retrieval and drop-off to ensuring timely shipment processing. Coordinate and manage airport tasks to ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations.

• Driver Coordination & responsibility: Take charge of coordinating pick-up and drop-off schedules, ensuring that all stakeholders have the necessary documentation and information for smooth deliveries. Ensure that airport operations follow all procedures and service instructions according to the specific type of service or requirements.

• Cold Chain Management: Manage the handling of temperature-controlled shipments, including dry ice shipments and gel packs, ensuring proper re-icing, packaging, and temperature control is maintained throughout the transportation process according to the SOP’s.

• Consolidation & Labeling: Organize and oversee the preparation of shipping labels and ensure that consolidator boxes are correctly assembled. Verify documentation for outbound shipments, ensuring all details are accurate.

• Re-Icing & Packaging Support: Provide support for temperature-sensitive shipments, including overseeing gel pack replacement and repackaging when necessary.

• Airport Operations: Facilitate airline drop-offs and retrievals, ensuring necessary paperwork is prepared and shipment statuses are tracked in real-time. Assist in navigating airline processes to ensure timely shipment handling.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all activities align with company policies, airport regulations, and TSA guidelines. Enforce compliance with industry regulations and procedures for every operation.

• Client & Stakeholder Communication: Communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams to confirm schedules, locations, and special instructions to ensure a high level of customer service.

Key Responsibilities Overview:

• Full Ownership of Airport Operations

• Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Cargo Management

• Driver Coordination, Leadership, and Support

• Cargo Inspection, Sorting, and Labeling

• Compliance with Regulations & Safety Protocols

• Vehicle and Equipment Support

Qualifications & Skills Required:

• Must be able to operate cargo vans, small trucks (up to 26’), and pick-up trucks, as needed, to support local and regional deliveries.

• Basic understanding of cold chain logistics, biohazard handling, and regulatory compliance for biological and medical shipments. Knowledge of temperature-sensitive shipping requirements (e.g., dry ice and gel packs) is a plus.

• Strong organizational abilities with keen attention to detail, ensuring accurate tracking, documentation, and adherence to operational protocols.

• Capable of maintaining efficiency and focus in fast-paced, high-pressure environments while adhering to tight deadlines.

• Willingness to work outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by operational needs.

• Proactive in recognizing shipment-related issues and effectively addressing them to ensure smooth transportation and delivery.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment where priorities and schedules may shift unexpectedly.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for clear interactions with team members, clients, and stakeholders.

• Familiarity with scanners, barcodes, and tracking systems is advantageous for managing logistics and shipment tracking.

• Capable of lifting packages up to approximately 50 pounds and assisting with loading/unloading heavy shipments.

• Ability to adjust to changing schedules and operational needs, ensuring flexibility for urgent requests or shift changes.

• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy in all documentation, adherence to safety protocols, and compliance with transportation regulations.

• The Ability to work in a very fast pace and high stress working environment.

• Proactive problem-solving skills for addressing shipment-related issues.

• Strong communication skills in English and Spanish.

• Experience with scanners, barcodes, and tracking systems is a plus.

• Ability to lift and handle shipments up to 50 lbs.

• Valid driver’s license (CDL not required) with a clean driving record.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Work Setting

• Primarily operates at airports or in urban and suburban areas, delivering packages and goods to residential and commercial locations.

• Prepare shipments at the airport before dispatch.

• Works in locations such as loading docks, cargo warehouses, and aircraft loading areas.

• Must be able to assist with loading and unloading shipments over 50 lbs.

• May transport cargo to and from air cargo facilities, including freight terminals and cargo ramps.

• Occasional domestic or international travel may be required for industry events or emergency response situations.

• This role may involve working outside standard business hours to meet client needs or handling urgent issues.