At Columbia Distributing, we pride ourselves on our highly skilled team of warehouse associates, merchandisers, and other industry professionals. And that feeling goes both ways, as our employees find their work both rewarding and stable. But you don’t have to take our word for it – we asked John Ohmann, a long-time delivery driver, to provide some insights about his decades-long tenure at Columbia Distributing.
A Typical Workday
Ohmann’s workday starts early – between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., to be exact. After getting ready, he leaves his house and heads to his tractor-trailer. From there, he drives to one of Columbia Distributing’s warehouses, where dedicated workers have palletized stock waiting for his truck to arrive. Using a riding pallet jack, Ohmann loads his truck, but not without the help of his very hands-on supervisor.
“Thanks to my supervisor, I’d say we have one of the most efficient runs from point A to point B,” Ohmann says.
After organizing the product load in route order, Ohmann transports it to grocery and convenience stores. At each destination, he checks the product in, and in some cases, stocks product shelves afterward. But before he leaves, Ohmann says that he always tries to end his client interactions on a positive note.
“As a driver, I represent Columbia Distributing,” says Ohmann, “and to do that to the best of my ability, I always try to leave a smile on our customers’ faces.”
Q: What are some of your favorite aspects of working here?
Having come from a family that constantly moved across the United States, Ohmann wanted a job that gave him stability and security. As of March 2020, he’ll celebrate his 20th anniversary with Columbia Distributing, and that’s largely because the company has provided him with the dependability he’s always wanted.
“When I first got married, I made a promise to myself that I’d break the cycle of instability in my life,” Ohmann says. “And I was blessed to stumble right into such a job at Columbia Distributing.”
Ohmann also cites his supervisors’ great leadership as a reason he’s been so dedicated to the company. All three of his superiors over the years had different strengths, but Ohmann believes they have all had his and his fellow delivery drivers’ backs.
“Being a veteran, you sometimes want to just come into work, put your head down, and get through the day – you just feel like you’ve seen it all,” Ohmann says. “But thanks to my current and past supervisors, I feel motivated every day to improve my performance and step in when my co-workers need help or guidance.”
Join the Columbia Distributing Team
Ohmann has been with Columbia Distributing since it was a small operation and is proud of how far the company has come. He points out that each store he visits presents its own unique challenge and says that he loves interacting with customers while helping them reach the best product solutions possible.
If you’re a resident of the Pacific Northwest or Northern California and interested in an employment opportunity that delivers an experience like Ohmann has had, consider applying for a position at Columbia Distributing. We’re proud to employ more than 3,500 people in fulfilling, secure roles, and we’re looking to expand our team with more promising candidates. For more information, visit our careers page or contact us today.
