Refrigerated Truck Driver Wanted in Des Moines, Iowa, USA

A refrigerated truck driver, commonly called a reefer truck driver, operates specialized tractor-trailers equipped with temperature-controlled units used to transport food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, produce, frozen products, and other temperature-sensitive freight.

Responsibilities can include inspecting the tractor and refrigerated trailer, checking temperature settings, monitoring refrigeration equipment, securing freight, following assigned routes, completing delivery documentation, communicating with dispatchers, and ensuring cargo remains within the required temperature range.

Current Des Moines-area listings include dedicated refrigerated CDL-A positions, regional and OTR reefer routes, and opportunities transporting refrigerated freight throughout the Midwest. For example, current listings show dedicated reefer routes based around Des Moines with weekly home time, while other regional positions transport refrigerated freight across several Midwestern states.

For someone exploring opportunities in commercial trucking, refrigerated transportation can provide specialized experience with temperature-controlled freight, route management, trailer inspections, and logistics. The following guide explains several positions related to refrigerated truck driving.

List of Refrigerated Truck Driver Vacancies

Refrigerated truck driving positions can vary according to the type of freight, route distance, trailer equipment, schedule, and experience required.

Refrigerated Truck Driver

A refrigerated truck driver transports temperature-sensitive products using a trailer equipped with a refrigeration unit.

Responsibilities can include inspecting the trailer, setting the required temperature, checking refrigeration equipment, securing cargo, transporting freight, and completing deliveries.

Current Des Moines opportunities include CDL-A refrigerated positions operating dedicated and regional routes.

This position can provide specialized experience with temperature-controlled transportation.

CDL-A Reefer Driver

A CDL-A reefer driver operates a commercial tractor-trailer equipped with a refrigerated trailer.

Responsibilities can include completing pre-trip inspections, monitoring cargo temperatures, transporting freight, following assigned routes, maintaining communication with dispatch, and completing delivery records.

Current Des Moines listings include CDL-A refrigerated positions, including dedicated Costco freight and regional refrigerated transportation.

This role can develop professional commercial-driving and refrigerated-freight skills.

Dedicated Reefer Driver

A dedicated reefer driver transports refrigerated freight for a specific customer or account.

Responsibilities can include following established routes, delivering temperature-controlled products, checking trailer temperatures, completing inspections, and maintaining communication with the assigned transportation team.

A current Des Moines-based dedicated reefer position involves Costco freight, weekly home time, and routes through Iowa and several surrounding Midwestern states.

This position can provide more consistent routes and predictable freight operations.

Regional Refrigerated Truck Driver

A regional refrigerated driver transports temperature-sensitive freight throughout a defined geographic area.

Responsibilities can include transporting refrigerated products between distribution centers and stores, monitoring equipment, completing inspections, and following scheduled routes.

Current Des Moines listings include regional refrigerated CDL-A positions with consistent routes and weekly earnings.

This role can provide experience with both regional transportation and temperature-controlled logistics.

OTR Reefer Driver

An OTR reefer driver transports refrigerated freight across multiple states and may spend extended periods traveling.

Responsibilities can include long-distance driving, monitoring trailer temperatures, securing freight, completing inspections, communicating with dispatch, and following interstate transportation requirements.

Current Des Moines listings include OTR reefer opportunities requiring CDL-A credentials and previous commercial-driving experience.

This position can provide extensive interstate transportation experience.

Refrigerated Food Truck Driver

A refrigerated food truck driver transports products such as meat, dairy products, frozen foods, produce, and other temperature-sensitive goods.

Responsibilities can include maintaining appropriate temperatures, checking the refrigeration unit, loading and unloading products, and completing scheduled deliveries.

This position can provide experience with food distribution and cold-chain transportation.

Reefer Distribution Driver

A reefer distribution driver transports refrigerated products between warehouses, distribution centers, stores, and other facilities.

Responsibilities can include following delivery schedules, monitoring trailer temperatures, completing inspections, handling delivery documents, and communicating with receiving locations.

This role can develop knowledge of commercial distribution and refrigerated logistics.

Refrigerated Truck Driver – Midwest Routes

A Midwest refrigerated driver transports temperature-controlled freight between states such as Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Responsibilities can include planning routes, monitoring freight temperatures, completing multiple deliveries, and maintaining communication with dispatch.

Current Des Moines dedicated reefer listings include routes covering several Midwestern states.

This opportunity can be suitable for drivers interested in regional interstate transportation.

Reefer Driver Trainee

A reefer driver trainee learns refrigerated trucking procedures while developing commercial-driving experience.

Training can include trailer inspections, temperature-control procedures, cargo securement, route planning, backing techniques, and delivery procedures.

Some current refrigerated trucking opportunities in the Des Moines area state that they will train new CDL-A drivers.

This can provide a pathway into specialized refrigerated transportation.

Requirements

1. Valid CDL Class A license when required
2. Previous commercial-driving experience when required
3. Previous refrigerated-freight experience when required
4. Clean driving record when required
5. Ability to operate tractor-trailer combinations
6. Knowledge of refrigerated trailer operations
7. Ability to inspect refrigeration equipment
8. Ability to monitor trailer temperatures
9. Ability to set temperature controls
10. Ability to complete pre-trip inspections
11. Ability to complete post-trip inspections
12. Ability to inspect tires, brakes, lights, and trailer equipment
13. Ability to identify mechanical or refrigeration problems
14. Ability to report equipment issues
15. Ability to secure refrigerated cargo properly
16. Knowledge of temperature-sensitive freight
17. Ability to follow food-safety procedures when applicable
18. Ability to follow transportation regulations
19. Ability to maintain accurate delivery records
20. Ability to complete shipping and delivery documentation
21. Ability to communicate with dispatchers
22. Ability to communicate with customers and receiving facilities
23. Basic route-planning skills
24. Ability to use GPS and navigation systems
25. Ability to follow assigned routes
26. Ability to meet delivery schedules
27. Ability to manage multiple stops
28. Physical stamina
29. Ability to climb into and out of commercial vehicles
30. Ability to inspect trailers
31. Ability to handle freight when required
32. Ability to work outdoors
33. Ability to work in changing weather conditions
34. Ability to remain attentive during extended driving periods
35. Ability to work independently
36. Ability to work as part of a transportation team
37. Good organizational skills
38. Good time-management skills
39. Strong attention to detail
40. Reliability
41. Punctuality
42. Professional attitude
43. Ability to follow detailed instructions
44. Ability to maintain a clean tractor and trailer
45. Ability to work local routes when required
46. Ability to work regional routes when required
47. Ability to work OTR routes when required
48. Ability to travel between states
49. Ability to work nights when required
50. Ability to work weekends when required
51. Ability to work holidays when required
52. Ability to work flexible schedules
53. Ability to pass required employment screenings
54. Ability to maintain current CDL qualifications
55. Willingness to follow refrigerated transportation procedures

Benefits

1. Opportunity to gain refrigerated trucking experience
2. Development of CDL-A driving skills
3. Experience with temperature-controlled freight
4. Development of reefer trailer knowledge
5. Experience monitoring cargo temperatures
6. Development of refrigeration equipment knowledge
7. Improvement of vehicle-inspection skills
8. Development of cargo-securement abilities
9. Experience transporting food products
10. Exposure to grocery distribution
11. Experience with dedicated routes
12. Experience with regional transportation
13. Exposure to OTR transportation
14. Development of route-planning skills
15. Improvement of navigation abilities
16. Experience working with distribution centers
17. Development of logistics knowledge
18. Improvement of communication skills
19. Development of customer-service abilities
20. Experience working with dispatch teams
21. Improvement of time-management skills
22. Development of transportation safety awareness
23. Experience with multiple delivery locations
24. Development of problem-solving abilities
25. Improvement of organizational skills
26. Development of professional driving discipline
27. Exposure to Midwest transportation networks
28. Opportunity to learn refrigerated trailer systems
29. Experience working with experienced commercial drivers
30. Development of cold-chain transportation knowledge
31. Foundation for future opportunities in specialized trucking

Advantages

1. Provides practical refrigerated truck driving experience
2. Develops specialized reefer transportation skills
3. Strengthens CDL-A driving experience
4. Improves knowledge of refrigerated trailer systems
5. Develops temperature-monitoring skills
6. Strengthens cargo-securement abilities
7. Provides experience transporting temperature-sensitive products
8. Develops knowledge of cold-chain logistics
9. Improves vehicle-inspection abilities
10. Provides experience with dedicated routes
11. Provides exposure to regional routes
12. Develops interstate driving experience
13. Improves route-planning skills
14. Strengthens navigation abilities
15. Develops communication with dispatchers
16. Provides experience working with distribution centers
17. Improves delivery logistics knowledge
18. Strengthens time management
19. Develops problem-solving abilities
20. Improves organization
21. Provides experience with food and refrigerated products
22. Develops knowledge of temperature-control procedures
23. Strengthens transportation safety awareness
24. Provides exposure to Midwest freight networks
25. Develops professional driving discipline
26. Improves adaptability to different routes and weather conditions
27. Provides experience with multiple delivery stops
28. Develops independence
29. Strengthens attention to detail
30. Creates a foundation for future opportunities as a refrigerated truck driver, dedicated driver, regional driver, OTR driver, or other specialized CDL professional.