Careers
Build a Career That Matters
At Universal Pallet Supply, every day of work keeps wood out of landfills and reduces the supply chain's carbon footprint. Join a growing team where your work has a measurable environmental impact.
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Current Openings
We're growing and looking for great people to join our team.
Pallet Repair Technician
Inspect, repair, and refurbish used wooden pallets to meet quality standards. Replace damaged deck boards and stringers, re-drive fasteners, and perform quality checks. Experience with pneumatic tools preferred but we'll train the right person.
Apply NowForklift Operator
Operate forklifts to move, stack, and organize pallets in our warehouse and yard. Load and unload trucks. Maintain a safe and organized workspace. Valid forklift certification required; we offer recertification training.
Apply NowCDL Truck Driver
Deliver pallets to customer locations across the Mid-Atlantic region. Flatbed and box truck experience preferred. Home most nights. Clean CDL-A required with good driving record.
Apply NowWarehouse Associate
Sort, grade, and organize incoming pallets. Assist with inventory management and order fulfillment. Physical role requiring ability to lift 50+ lbs regularly. No experience needed — we provide full training.
Apply NowSales Representative
Build relationships with businesses that need pallet supply, buyback, or management services. Identify new accounts, manage existing relationships, and close deals. Experience in building materials, logistics, or B2B sales preferred.
Apply NowOperations Manager
Oversee daily warehouse operations, manage team of 10–15 workers, coordinate with logistics and sales teams. 3+ years of warehouse or operations management experience required. Pallet industry experience is a plus.
Apply NowWhy Work With Us
We believe that taking care of our team is just as important as taking care of the environment. Our employees enjoy competitive pay, real benefits, and the satisfaction of knowing their work matters.
- Competitive hourly and salary rates
- Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
- Paid time off and holidays
- 401(k) with company match
- On-the-job training and skill development
- Growth opportunities as we expand
- Work that makes a real environmental impact
- Team-first culture with low turnover
Our Culture
Life at Universal Pallet Supply
We are a hands-on, hard-working team based in Portsmouth, Virginia. Our culture is built on mutual respect, honest communication, and the shared belief that the work we do matters — both for our customers and for the environment.
Purpose-Driven Work
Every pallet we repair instead of discard is one less piece of wood in a landfill. Every recycled pallet we sell is one less tree that needs to be cut down. Our team knows that their daily work directly contributes to reducing waste in the supply chain, and that sense of purpose is something you feel on the floor every day. We have diverted over 2.5 million pallets from the waste stream, and that number grows every week because of the people on our team.
Team-First Environment
We are a mid-sized company, which means everyone knows everyone. There is no corporate bureaucracy, no layers of management to navigate, and no getting lost in the shuffle. When you have an idea, you can walk up to the operations manager and share it. When you need help, the person next to you steps in. We eat lunch together, solve problems together, and celebrate wins together. Our turnover rate is well below the industry average because people genuinely enjoy coming to work here.
Safety as a Core Value
Pallet work is physical work, and we take safety seriously. Every new employee completes a comprehensive safety orientation before touching any equipment. We hold weekly safety briefings, maintain all equipment on rigorous maintenance schedules, and enforce PPE requirements without exception. Our OSHA compliance is not just about passing inspections — it is about making sure everyone goes home safe at the end of every shift. We are proud of our safety record and the culture that makes it possible.
Grow With Us
Career Growth Paths
We believe in promoting from within. Many of our supervisors and managers started in entry-level positions and worked their way up. Here are the typical career paths available at Universal Pallet Supply.
Warehouse & Production Track
Warehouse Associate
Sort, grade, and organize pallets. Learn pallet grades, sizes, and quality standards.
Pallet Repair Technician
Master pneumatic tools, repair techniques, and quality control for refurbished pallets.
Lead Technician / Shift Lead
Supervise a team of 3 to 5 workers. Manage daily production targets and quality output.
Operations Supervisor / Manager
Oversee all warehouse operations, coordinate with sales and logistics, manage full team.
Logistics & Driving Track
Forklift Operator
Operate forklifts for loading, unloading, and yard organization. Earn forklift certification.
Local Delivery Driver
Handle same-day and next-day deliveries across the Mid-Atlantic. Home every night.
Regional CDL Driver
Cover multi-state delivery routes. Build relationships with key accounts across the region.
Logistics Coordinator / Manager
Plan routes, manage carrier relationships, coordinate delivery schedules for all accounts.
Invest in Your Skills
Training & Development
At Universal Pallet Supply, we do not expect you to show up knowing everything. Many of our best team members came to us with no pallet industry experience at all. What we do expect is a willingness to learn, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to safety. We provide all the training you need to succeed.
Every new hire goes through a structured onboarding program that includes hands-on training with experienced team members, safety certification, and a gradual ramp-up to full production responsibilities. We invest in ongoing skill development because a well-trained team is a safer, more productive, and more satisfied team.
- OSHA safety certification for all warehouse employees
- Forklift certification and recertification training
- Pneumatic tool operation and maintenance training
- Pallet grading and quality inspection certification
- CDL training assistance for drivers seeking licensure
- Leadership development for team leads and supervisors
Our Team Speaks
What Our Employees Say
Do not just take our word for it. Here is what team members at Universal Pallet Supply have to say about working here.
“I started as a warehouse associate with no experience in the pallet industry. Within a year, I was promoted to repair technician, and now I am a shift lead. Management genuinely invests in your growth and pays attention to people who work hard.”
Shift Lead
3 years at Universal Pallet Supply
“The best part about driving for UPS is being home every night. I was doing long-haul routes before and barely saw my family. Here I run regional deliveries, the truck is well-maintained, and the customers are great to work with.”
CDL Driver
2 years at Universal Pallet Supply
“What I appreciate most is that safety is not just talk here. We actually stop work to address safety concerns, and nobody gets pushback for reporting hazards. The weekly safety meetings are short but effective. After 20 years in warehousing, this is the safest environment I have worked in.”
Forklift Operator
4 years at Universal Pallet Supply
“Coming from a B2B sales role in a different industry, I was nervous about switching to pallets. But the team trained me thoroughly on products, grades, and industry terminology. Now I manage some of our biggest accounts and honestly love the work. There is something satisfying about selling a product that actually helps the environment.”
Sales Representative
1.5 years at Universal Pallet Supply
Everyone Belongs
Diversity & Inclusion
Universal Pallet Supply is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diverse team is a stronger team, and we actively work to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to do their best work — regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability status, or veteran status.
Our workforce reflects the diversity of the Hampton Roads community we serve. We hire based on ability, work ethic, and character — period. We provide the same training opportunities, benefits, and paths to advancement for every employee. Our leadership team regularly reviews hiring and promotion data to ensure fairness across all positions and departments.
Fair Hiring
Structured interviews with consistent evaluation criteria for every candidate
Equal Pay
Compensation based on role, experience, and performance — nothing else
Veteran Friendly
We actively recruit veterans and value the discipline and skills they bring
Open Door Policy
Every employee has direct access to management for concerns or ideas
Your Safety Matters
Our Safety Record
Pallet work is physical, hands-on work that involves heavy materials, power tools, and industrial equipment. We take the safety of every team member seriously — not as a regulation to comply with, but as a core value that shapes every decision we make.
Zero workplace injuries resulting in missed work days last year
Every week, without exception, the team gathers for safety review
Full compliance across all OSHA workplace safety standards
Every new hire completes safety training before touching equipment
PPE Requirements
Steel-toed boots, safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection are mandatory on the warehouse floor. We provide all required PPE at no cost to employees and replace worn equipment immediately. PPE compliance is non-negotiable — no exceptions, no shortcuts.
Equipment Maintenance
Every forklift, pneumatic tool, saw, and kiln is inspected on a documented maintenance schedule. Forklifts receive daily pre-shift inspections. Pneumatic nailers are serviced weekly. Kiln temperature probes are calibrated monthly. Equipment that does not pass inspection is taken out of service immediately until repaired.
Incident Reporting Culture
We encourage every employee to report safety hazards, near-misses, and concerns without fear of retaliation. Our stop-work authority policy means any employee can halt operations if they identify an unsafe condition. Every reported incident is investigated, documented, and reviewed to prevent recurrence. This open reporting culture is the foundation of our strong safety record.
Join Our Team
How to Apply
Applying to Universal Pallet Supply is straightforward. We review every application personally and respond to all candidates, whether or not there is an immediate fit. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish.
Submit Your Application
Use the contact form on this page or send an email to info@universalpalletsupply.com with your name, the position you are interested in, your relevant experience, and a brief description of why you want to join our team. A formal resume is appreciated but not required — especially for warehouse and production positions. We care more about your work ethic and willingness to learn than your resume format.
Initial Phone Screen
If your background looks like a potential fit, a member of our team will call you within 3-5 business days for a brief phone conversation. This is not a formal interview — it is a chance for us to learn more about you and for you to ask questions about the role, the team, and what a typical day looks like. The call usually takes 10-15 minutes.
On-Site Visit & Interview
We invite promising candidates to visit our facility at 610 Brumby Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23709 for an in-person interview and facility tour. You will meet the team you would be working with, see the warehouse and equipment firsthand, and have a conversation with the hiring manager. For warehouse and driver roles, we may include a brief hands-on assessment to evaluate comfort with the physical aspects of the job.
Offer & Onboarding
Hiring decisions are typically made within one week of your on-site visit. If selected, you will receive a written offer with compensation details, benefits information, and a proposed start date. Onboarding includes a comprehensive safety orientation, equipment training, and a mentored ramp-up period where you work alongside experienced team members until you are fully comfortable in your role. Most new hires are fully productive within 2-3 weeks.
No Open Position That Fits?
We are always interested in meeting good people, even if there is not an immediate opening. Send us your information and we will keep your application on file for future positions. Many of our best hires came from people who reached out before a role was posted.
Don't See Your Role?
We're always interested in meeting talented people. Send us your information and we'll keep you in mind for future openings.
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