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Why Work at Oakland Pallets
We know that good people have options. Here is what we offer to earn and keep the best team in the business.
Our Culture
Oakland Pallets is a working facility, not a corporate office. The culture here reflects that. People show up, put in honest work, help each other out, and go home knowing they accomplished something tangible. There is no pretense and no politics — just a shared commitment to doing the job right.
Our crews are tight-knit. The repair technicians coordinate their pace so the grading station never backs up. The drivers check in with dispatch before and after every stop. The yard team communicates constantly about incoming loads and staging priorities. It works because everyone understands their role and respects the people around them.
We celebrate milestones. Work anniversaries, safety records, and personal achievements all get recognized. We hold quarterly cookouts in the break area where management grills for the team. When someone goes above and beyond — staying late to finish a rush order, catching a safety issue before it becomes a problem, mentoring a new hire — it gets noticed and acknowledged.
We also believe in straight talk. If something is not working, we want to hear about it. If you have an idea that could improve a process, bring it to your supervisor. Some of our best operational changes have come from floor-level suggestions. This is a place where your voice matters regardless of your title.
Career Growth
We do not hire managers off the street if we can promote from within. That is not just a talking point — it is how we actually operate. The majority of our supervisors, team leads, and coordinators started in entry-level positions at this facility.
A typical advancement path for a yard associate might look like this: you start sorting pallets, learn the grading system, pick up forklift certification within your first three months, and gradually take on more responsibility as you demonstrate reliability and skill. After a year or two, you are a candidate for a lead role overseeing a section of the yard or the repair line. From there, opportunities open up in operations coordination, quality control management, or dispatch.
For drivers, growth often means taking on higher-value routes, training new drivers, or moving into a dispatch coordination role. For repair technicians, it can mean specializing in custom builds, training new hires, or stepping into a quality control position where your deep knowledge of pallet construction becomes an asset to the entire operation.
We also support external development. If you want to pursue a CDL upgrade, a trade certification, or a safety credential, talk to your manager. We have a track record of helping employees access training resources and adjusting schedules to accommodate coursework.
A Day in the Life
Pallet Repair Technician
— CedricCedric started as a yard sorter in 2016 and moved to the repair line within six months. His day begins at 6:30 AM when he clocks in, grabs his safety glasses and gloves from his locker, and walks to his assigned bay. A stack of pallets needing repair is already waiting — the night-shift sorters staged them before they left. Cedric pulls the first pallet onto his jig, eyeballs the damage — two cracked deck boards and a split lead board — and gets to work. Pry bar out, boards off, replacements slotted in, three nails per board, flip, inspect, stack. By the time the 10:00 AM break bell rings, he has knocked out 80 pallets. After break, he switches to a run of heavier 48x48 pallets that need stringer repairs, which take a bit more time. Lunch is at noon in the break room; the crew usually talks about weekend plans and argues about football. Cedric finishes his shift at 3:00 PM having repaired 162 pallets — a good day. He is proud of the fact that his reject rate on QC re-inspection is under two percent.
Delivery Driver
— WinifredWinifred has been driving for Oakland Pallets since 2019. She starts her morning at 5:45 AM with a walk-around inspection of her flatbed — tires, lights, straps, load securement hardware. Her route sheet is already on the clipboard: first stop is a food distributor in Hayward dropping off 600 Grade A pallets, second stop is a plastics manufacturer in Fremont for a pickup of 400 empties, and third stop is a cold storage facility in San Leandro to swap out damaged pallets for repaired ones. Winifred likes that no two days are exactly the same — the routes change, the customers are different, and the Bay Area keeps things interesting. She is back at the yard by 2:30 PM most days, unloads her returns, parks the truck, and fills out her delivery log. She has driven over 150,000 miles for the company without a single at-fault incident, and the dispatch team considers her one of their most dependable drivers.
Dispatcher / Logistics Coordinator
— LelandLeland arrives at the dispatch office at 6:00 AM, before most of the drivers. He reviews the day's orders that came in overnight and cross-references them with the standing weekly deliveries. By 6:15 AM he has assigned routes to all twelve drivers, printed the manifests, and staged the paperwork at each driver's slot. As the drivers arrive, he briefs them individually — any special instructions, new customer locations, or road closures they should know about. Once the fleet is on the road, Leland monitors GPS positions, fields calls from customers asking about delivery windows, and adjusts routes in real time when a driver gets held up or a rush order comes in. He handles between 30 and 50 inbound coordination calls per day. Around 1:00 PM things start to settle, and he uses the afternoon to reconcile delivery confirmations, update the fleet performance spreadsheet, and plan tomorrow's routes. Leland came to Oakland Pallets from a regional trucking company and says the pace here is faster but the team is tighter.
Current Openings
Pallet Repair Technician
Full-Time · Oakland, CA
Responsibilities
- Inspect incoming pallets and identify boards requiring replacement
- Remove damaged boards using pry bars and pneumatic tools
- Cut and fit replacement boards to specification
- Drive fasteners using pneumatic nail guns following standardized patterns
- Maintain a repair rate of 150+ pallets per shift
- Keep workstation clean and organized; clear scrap at end of shift
Requirements
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 60 lbs repeatedly
- Comfort with power tools (training provided on our specific equipment)
- Attention to detail and willingness to follow standardized repair protocols
- Reliable attendance — the repair line depends on full staffing
- No prior pallet experience required; we train from scratch
Forklift Operator / Yard Associate
Full-Time · Oakland, CA
Responsibilities
- Operate sit-down and stand-up forklifts to move pallet stacks throughout the yard
- Load and unload delivery trucks at the docks
- Sort incoming pallets by size, type, and condition
- Maintain organized yard lanes and ensure stacking heights comply with safety limits
- Complete pre-shift equipment inspection checklists
- Assist with physical inventory counts as needed
Requirements
- Current forklift certification or willingness to obtain one (we provide training and certification)
- Experience operating forklifts in a warehouse or yard environment preferred but not required
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Strong spatial awareness and safe driving habits
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
Delivery Driver (Class B CDL)
Full-Time · Bay Area
Responsibilities
- Drive flatbed and box trucks on local routes throughout the Bay Area
- Deliver pallets to customer locations and pick up pallets for recycling
- Secure loads with straps and edge protectors in compliance with DOT requirements
- Verify load counts against manifests before departure and at delivery
- Maintain vehicle cleanliness and report any mechanical issues promptly
- Communicate ETAs and delivery confirmations to dispatch
Requirements
- Valid Class B CDL with clean driving record
- Minimum two years of commercial driving experience preferred
- Familiarity with Bay Area roads and highways
- Ability to perform physical loading tasks when required
- Professional, courteous demeanor when interacting with customers
- DOT medical card current and in good standing
Warehouse Sorter / Grader
Full-Time / Part-Time · Oakland, CA
Responsibilities
- Evaluate pallets against grading standards (A, B, C) based on board condition, fastener integrity, and dimensional accuracy
- Route pallets to repair, inventory, or dismantling based on grade assessment
- Apply grade stencils and lot tracking codes to inspected pallets
- Maintain accurate counts of graded inventory for the operations team
- Flag any pallets with contamination, pest evidence, or unusual damage for supervisor review
Requirements
- Strong attention to detail and ability to make quick, consistent assessments
- Ability to stand and walk for full shift duration
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
- Basic counting and record-keeping skills
- Willingness to learn the grading system thoroughly during training period
Kiln Operator
Full-Time · Oakland, CA
Responsibilities
- Load pallets into the heat treatment kiln using forklift and track system
- Monitor kiln temperature throughout each cycle using electronic controls
- Verify that core temperature probes reach ISPM-15 thresholds and hold for the required duration
- Record batch data including pallet counts, temperatures, and treatment times in the digital log
- Perform routine maintenance on kiln components including burner inspection and seal checks
- Apply certified treatment stamps to completed pallets
Requirements
- Mechanical aptitude and comfort with gas-fired heating equipment
- Detail-oriented and disciplined about documentation
- Current forklift certification or willingness to obtain one
- Basic computer literacy for digital logging system
- Prior experience with industrial kilns or ovens preferred but not required
Custom Build Carpenter
Full-Time · Oakland, CA
Responsibilities
- Build custom pallets, skids, and crates to client specifications
- Read and interpret technical drawings and cut sheets
- Operate CNC panel saw, radial arm saws, and notching equipment
- Produce prototypes for client approval before scaling to production runs
- Maintain accurate material usage records for job costing
- Collaborate with the sales team on design feasibility for non-standard requests
Requirements
- Demonstrated woodworking or carpentry skills — professional or trade school background
- Ability to read blueprints and dimensional drawings
- Experience with power saws and CNC equipment preferred
- Precision mindset — custom orders have tighter tolerances than standard repair
- Ability to lift up to 70 lbs
Dispatcher / Logistics Coordinator
Full-Time · Oakland, CA
Responsibilities
- Plan and assign daily delivery and pickup routes for the 12-truck fleet
- Optimize routes for fuel efficiency and minimal empty miles
- Communicate with drivers throughout the day regarding schedule changes and ETAs
- Coordinate with the sales team to schedule new orders and recurring pickups
- Track fleet GPS data and maintain delivery performance records
- Handle inbound scheduling calls from customers and partner facilities
Requirements
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities in real time
- Experience in dispatching, logistics coordination, or fleet management preferred
- Proficiency with route planning software and GPS tracking platforms
- Clear, professional communication skills — written and verbal
- Ability to remain calm and solution-oriented under time pressure
- Bilingual English/Spanish a plus but not required
Maintenance Technician
Full-Time · Oakland, CA
Responsibilities
- Perform preventive maintenance on forklifts, trucks, chipper, kiln, and pneumatic tools
- Diagnose and repair mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical issues on facility equipment
- Maintain parts inventory and order replacements as needed
- Keep detailed maintenance logs and track scheduled service intervals
- Respond to emergency breakdowns to minimize production downtime
- Ensure all equipment meets safety and operational standards
Requirements
- Minimum three years of experience in industrial or fleet maintenance
- Proficiency with welding, hydraulics, electrical troubleshooting, and general mechanical repair
- Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks based on production impact
- Valid driver license (CDL not required but a plus)
- Own hand tools preferred; specialty tools provided by the company
How to Apply
1. Submit Your Information
Use the contact form at the top of this page or on our Contact page to send us your name, the position you are interested in, and a brief summary of your relevant experience. You may also attach a resume if you have one, though it is not required for most positions.
2. Initial Review
Our operations manager reviews all submissions within two business days. If your background looks like a potential fit, we will reach out to schedule a brief introductory conversation — usually over the phone or in person at the facility.
3. Facility Visit & Working Interview
For most hands-on roles, we invite candidates to the facility for a working interview. This is a paid two- to four-hour session where you shadow an experienced team member and try your hand at the actual work. It gives us a chance to evaluate fit, and it gives you a realistic preview of the job before committing.
4. Offer & Onboarding
If we both agree it is a good fit, we extend a written offer with compensation details, start date, and benefit eligibility information. New hires complete a structured onboarding program that includes safety training, equipment orientation, and role-specific instruction before working independently.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Oakland Pallets is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
We believe that diverse teams build better operations. Our workforce reflects the community we serve — people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives working together toward a common goal. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those who may be re-entering the workforce, transitioning from other industries, or looking for their first opportunity in the trades.
Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to find a solution.
Don't see a fit? Send us your resume anyway — we're always looking for great people and new positions open regularly.