Local CDL-A Position Manufacturing Shuttle Home Daily
CDL-A Manufacturing Shuttle Driver — Grand Rapids, MI
Hiring Area: Grand Rapids & West Michigan • Terminal: Grand Rapids, MI Area
Grand Rapids, MI Local Dedicated 2020–2025 Day Cabs
Move manufacturing components and production supplies between plants, supplier yards, and warehouses across West Michigan. This local company-driver position pays $28–$30 per hour, with overtime after 40 hours, daily home time, and short-haul industrial routes.
Weekly Gross
$1,500–$1,700
Annual Gross at 50 Hours/Week: $80,080–$85,800
Hourly Rate $28–$30
Overtime $42–$45 after 40 hours
Sign-On Bonus $600
Home Time Daily
Position Type Company Driver
Freight Manufacturing Components & Industrial Supplies
- Transfer loaded and empty 53-foot dry vans between manufacturing plants, supplier locations, and nearby warehouses.
- Complete repeated short-haul trips within the Grand Rapids industrial market.
- Perform trailer inspections and verify unit numbers before each movement.
- Follow plant-specific gate, staging, and dock procedures.
- Report trailer status, arrival times, and delays through mobile dispatch.
- Reposition empty trailers and reusable packaging as directed.
- Maintain accurate ELD records and communicate production-related schedule changes.
Hourly Pay $28–$30
Overtime Pay $42–$45 per hour after 40 hours
Typical Weekly Hours 50
Typical Weekly Gross $1,540–$1,650
Advertised Weekly Range $1,500–$1,700
Annual Gross at 50 Hours/Week $80,080–$85,800
Sign-On Bonus $600
Detention & Trailer Exchanges Covered by hourly compensation
Weekly and annual figures exclude the sign-on bonus and represent gross earnings before taxes, insurance deductions, and other withholding. Annual figures assume 52 paid weeks at the stated typical weekly earnings.
Home Time Return home after the assigned shift
Work Area Grand Rapids and nearby West Michigan industrial corridors
Shift Timing Early morning, afternoon, or evening according to customer production schedules
Work Pattern Multiple short-haul trailer transfers per shift
Dispatch Planned assignments with adjustments for dock availability and production demand
Weekend Coverage Customer-dependent assignments may include weekend work
This position centers on local industrial transfers rather than overnight linehaul. Shift length and daily trip count depend on the assigned customer account and trailer turnaround.
Tractors Kenworth T680 and Peterbilt 579 day cabs
Model Years Primarily 2020–2025, with older maintained units in the fleet
Transmission Automated manual or automatic
Trailers 53-foot dry vans for industrial freight and component transfers
Safety Equipment Electronic stability control, collision-mitigation systems, and lane-warning technology where equipped
Electronic Systems ELD, mobile dispatch, and digital inspection reporting
Assigned equipment is provided when available; limited slip-seating may occur during maintenance or scheduling changes. Drivers complete required pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report defects before equipment is returned to service.
Freight includes palletized automotive components, fabricated metal parts, plastics, furniture components, and industrial packaging.
- Grand Rapids ↔ Wyoming: Plant-to-warehouse and supplier transfers using US-131 and nearby industrial roads.
- Grand Rapids ↔ Kentwood: Short industrial movements connecting manufacturing sites and distribution yards via M-6 and local arterials.
- Grand Rapids ↔ Walker: Supplier and warehouse transfers along the US-131 and I-96 corridors.
- Grand Rapids ↔ Holland: Longer West Michigan manufacturing runs using I-196.
The workday combines trailer exchanges, empty repositioning, and occasional live loading or unloading. Actual assignments follow customer locations and daily production demand rather than a fixed long-distance route.
- Start of Shift: Complete the vehicle inspection, check dispatch assignments, and confirm the first trailer.
- During the Shift: Move loaded and empty trailers between designated plants, supplier yards, and warehouses.
- Production Changes: Follow revised priorities when a shipment is delayed or a staging area fills.
- End of Week: Prioritize scheduled transfers and equipment repositioning required before customer shutdowns.
- End of Shift: Complete the post-trip inspection, report defects, update dispatch, and park in the authorized location.
Daily work is driven by trailer availability, customer release times, and plant operating schedules. Trip counts vary with route distance and turnaround time.
About the Carrier
This mid-sized regional carrier supports manufacturing and warehouse operations across West Michigan. Its local shuttle work moves industrial components, production supplies, and packaging between customer facilities that need regular trailer repositioning. The operation emphasizes dependable dispatch communication, safe yard maneuvering, and timely transfers within established customer networks. Drivers work with day-cab tractors and dry-van trailers rather than long-haul sleeper equipment. The role suits experienced CDL-A drivers who can handle repeated short trips, follow plant-specific procedures, and maintain consistent service during changing production schedules.
Medical Coverage Employer-sponsored medical plan options
Dental & Vision Coverage options available through selected plans
Retirement 401(k) access, with matching provisions governed by the plan
Paid Orientation Initial training on customer procedures, yard safety, and dispatch systems
Local Operations Daily home time without routine overnight linehaul
Equipment Support Preventive-maintenance coordination and defect reporting
Workplace Safety Guidance on site PPE requirements, trailer inspections, and industrial-yard procedures
These benefits support the specific demands of local manufacturing shuttle work, where safe backing, consistent attendance, and reliable customer communication matter every shift.
- Valid Class A CDL.
- At least 6 months of verifiable tractor-trailer driving experience.
- Demonstrated ability to back a 53-foot trailer in industrial yards.
- Current DOT medical qualification.
- Motor vehicle record meeting carrier insurance standards.
- Successful completion of required DOT drug screening and FMCSA Clearinghouse checks.
- Ability to use ELDs, mobile dispatch, and electronic inspection systems.
- Ability to work outdoors in Michigan weather and follow customer PPE and yard-safety rules.
Applicants must be able to maneuver safely in confined staging areas, communicate delays promptly, and comply with site-specific operating procedures.
- Production holds or incomplete paperwork delaying trailer release.
- Congested docks and limited staging capacity at customer plants.
- Shortages of empty trailers or reusable packaging.
- Winter snow, ice, and reduced yard traction.
- Traffic congestion on US-131, I-96, I-196, and M-6.
- Shift-change congestion at manufacturing gates and staging lanes.
Drivers report delays promptly and follow dispatch instructions for resequencing transfers or moving equipment to an authorized staging location.
1
Application
Submit CDL details, contact information, and recent driving history.
2
Recruiter Screening
Review tractor-trailer experience, local-shift availability, and industrial-yard skills.
3
Qualification Checks
Complete applicable employment-history, MVR, medical, drug-screening, and Clearinghouse requirements.
4
Driving Assessment
Demonstrate safe vehicle handling and trailer backing.
5
Paid Orientation
Review dispatch tools, equipment inspections, customer procedures, and site safety before assignment.
Employment begins after required qualification checks and onboarding steps are completed.
Q: How many trips will I make per shift? ▼
Multiple short-haul movements are typical. The number depends on route distance, trailer availability, and customer turnaround times.
Q: Is this a local job? ▼
Yes. The position covers Grand Rapids and surrounding West Michigan industrial locations, with daily home time.
Q: Will I handle live loading and unloading? ▼
Assignments include drop-and-hook exchanges and customer locations where trailers are loaded or unloaded before release.
Q: Are evening or weekend shifts available? ▼
Customer production schedules can require afternoon, evening, or weekend coverage.
Q: Are special endorsements required? ▼
The standard dry-van shuttle assignment does not require HazMat, Tanker, or TWIC endorsements.
Q: What experience is required? ▼
At least six months of verifiable tractor-trailer driving experience, including safe trailer backing.
Q: How is overtime paid? ▼
The stated pay structure provides overtime after 40 hours, at $42–$45 per hour according to the applicable base rate.
Q: Is training paid? ▼
Paid orientation covers customer procedures, equipment inspections, dispatch systems, and site safety.
Q: Is a sign-on bonus available? ▼
The listed sign-on bonus is $600, subject to the applicable hiring terms.
Grand Rapids, Michigan, has a CDL-A employment market supported by manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and regional freight operations. Local truck driving jobs include dry-van shuttle work, supplier transfers, warehouse movements, and longer regional routes. Manufacturing shuttle drivers need reliable backing skills, consistent attendance, and the ability to follow customer-specific yard procedures. Competition for experienced local drivers also comes from LTL carriers and dedicated distribution fleets. For drivers seeking CDL-A jobs in Grand Rapids, manufacturing shuttle positions offer a distinct alternative to long-haul work, combining industrial freight movements with daily home time and hourly compensation.
Grand Rapids serves West Michigan's manufacturing and distribution network, with freight linked to automotive suppliers, furniture production, fabricated metals, plastics, and industrial equipment. Manufacturing shuttle operations connect plants, supplier yards, and warehouses where trailer availability and production timing affect daily dispatch. The I-96, I-196, US-131, and M-6 corridors link the metro area with industrial locations in Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, and Holland. Short-haul trucking in this region requires efficient trailer repositioning and safe operation in busy yards. Winter weather and customer shift changes can affect travel times and dock access across the local freight network.