Saba Grocers Initiative Driver & Produce Coordinator Oakland, CA · Full time Company website

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Saba Grocers Initiative joins forces with corner store owners to make fresh fruits and vegetables accessible and affordable to all of Oakland. We make it easy for corner stores to buy produce from marginalized & BIPOC farmers, supporting thriving small businesses while feeding the neighborhoods of Oakland. Much of Oakland lives in “food deserts” – where a traditional grocery store is a mile away or more and healthy food can’t be reached. By putting produce into corner stores, we’re able to get good food to all of Oakland. A healthy community where everyone has access to quality, nutritious, healthy food can be achieved through a synergistic relationship between stores and the communities they serve. Corner stores/community markets can serve as an important conduit for communities to get healthy products, provide information that promotes health and well-being, and for facilitating community empowerment.

Driver & Produce Coordinator

Saba Food Hub  ·  Oakland, CA  ·  Full Time  ·  Onsite/Hybrid

Saba Grocers Initiative is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, CA. Among our programs, we operate a food hub at the Jack London Produce Terminal that connects small and mid-sized California farms, many using sustainable and regenerative practices, with the aggregation and logistics infrastructure needed to reach consistent markets. This position sits within our food hub operations as we build toward scale.

We are looking for a reliable, dedicated Driver & Produce Coordinator to join the Saba team. This is a food hub operations role, the person we hire will be a core part of how we move produce from source to customer. Right now, that work centers on our weekly produce cycle: purchasing, receiving, quality checking, packing, and delivering. Our delivery needs don't follow a predictable schedule. Orders can come through on evenings, early mornings, or weekends, and we need someone who is available and responsive when the work arises. Monday - Wednesday (5:00 AM - 1:30 PM) are the consistent anchor of the week. Beyond that, hours flex based on operational demand. This is a Full-time position and we are looking for someone ready to grow with us.

Why Join Us

Driving & Deliveries

• Operate a refrigerated truck for produce pickups and deliveries across Saba's distribution network
• Maintain safe driving practices and comply with all DOT and vehicle operation requirements
• Ensure the truck is clean, fueled, and properly maintained; report any mechanical issues promptly
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date vehicle maintenance records, including service history, inspections, and repairs
• Coordinate scheduled and as-needed maintenance appointments, working with vendors and the operations team to minimize downtime

Produce Purchasing & Receiving

• Purchase produce on behalf of Saba every Monday
• Receive and inspect all incoming orders on Tuesdays, verifying accuracy and quality
• Flag and document any discrepancies, damaged goods, or substitutions

Quality Control & Packing

• Perform quality checks on all produce — assessing freshness, appearance, and condition
• Oversee the packing and organization of orders for distribution
• Ensure proper cold chain handling throughout the packing and loading process

Operations Support

• Work closely with the operations team to coordinate logistics and communicate any issues
• Be available for deliveries outside of standard hours, including evenings, early mornings, and weekends as needed
• Support a positive, mission-aligned team culture

What You'll Bring

• Valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
• Clean driving record
• Experience operating refrigerated or specialty vehicles
• Ability to perform physical tasks including lifting, loading, and standing for extended periods
• Strong attention to detail, especially around produce quality and order accuracy
• Availability for flexible, on-call scheduling including evenings, early mornings, and weekends

Nice to Have

• Experience in food distribution, produce, or a related field
• Familiarity with food safety and cold chain handling practices
• Comfort working in a small, fast-moving organization where roles are hands-on and evolving

Compensation & Benefits

• Reports to: Saba Food Hub COO
• Status: 100% FTE + benefits
• Location: Oakland, CA
• Compensation:$32 per hour / non exempt 
• Benefits: Healthcare, dental, and vision coverage for full-time employees (provided based on percentage of time employed); 26 days of PTO annually; 11 company holidays; 401(k) match plan (4% company contribution, 1% employee contribution required).

Work Schedule

Saba's office is open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. 

Ongoing Schedule:

•  Monday through Wednesday: Onsite, 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
• Thursday and Friday: Hybrid, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• However, it is important to note that this schedule is subject to change based on business and delivery needs.
• Due to the nature of our operations, delivery and pickup schedules may vary and occasionally require work outside of the regular schedule, including late evening deliveries (such as produce arrivals on Sunday nights), early morning shifts, or weekend pickups and deliveries. Flexibility in scheduling is required to ensure operational needs are met.

Application Deadline: ASAP

Saba Grocers is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. We are an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including members of underrepresented groups.