The Logistics Coordinator - Delivery Driver is the operational cornerstone of the cannabis distribution network. This role executes the physical transfer of high-value, heavily regulated cannabis products from a central distribution hub to licensed retail dispensaries. The position operates at the critical intersection of inventory management, state-mandated compliance, fleet operations, and customer relations. The professional in this role ensures that every product movement is perfectly documented within the state's seed-to-sale tracking system, maintaining an unbroken chain of custody. This function directly safeguards the company's licensure, protects millions of dollars in inventory, and solidifies brand reputation through reliable and professional service. The role's performance is measured by order accuracy, on-time delivery, compliance adherence, and the strength of relationships built with retail partners.
The operational day for a Logistics Coordinator - Delivery Driver begins in the secure environment of the distribution vault. The first task is a pre-departure vehicle inspection with a focus on specialized security features. This includes verifying the functionality of GPS tracking systems, ensuring all security cameras are operational, and testing the integrity of the vehicle’s fortified, climate-controlled cargo area. The vehicle must be a mobile vault, compliant with all state transportation regulations.
Next, the coordinator engages in the critical order fulfillment and manifest reconciliation process. Using a printout or tablet displaying the day's orders, generated from the Warehouse Management System (WMS), they work alongside the vault team. Each physical case of product, whether it contains vape cartridges, packaged flower, or infused edibles, is scanned. The coordinator meticulously cross-references the physical count against the digital manifest. Using Microsoft Excel, they verify that every stock-keeping unit (SKU), batch number, and corresponding Certificate of Analysis (COA) matches the order exactly. This step requires precise arithmetic and absolute accuracy. A single-unit discrepancy can halt the entire day's operations and trigger a regulatory flag. Once verified, the product is securely loaded into the vehicle according to a prescribed loading plan that ensures last-in, first-out access based on the optimized delivery route.
With the vehicle loaded and all digital and physical paperwork in order, the transit phase begins. The route has been pre-determined by routing software to maximize efficiency while adhering to state regulations, which may prohibit certain routes or require specific check-in schedules. During transit, the coordinator maintains constant situational awareness and communication with the dispatch hub via secure channels, often managed through Microsoft Outlook or a dedicated logistics application. They provide updates on their location and estimated arrival times for each stop.
Upon arrival at a dispensary, the coordinator initiates a structured and secure check-in protocol. They interface directly with the dispensary's intake manager, presenting their credentials and the official manifest for the delivery. Together, they unload the product into a secure receiving area. The core of this interaction is a joint inventory verification. The dispensary staff counts and inspects the product against their purchase order, while the coordinator confirms the count against the manifest. Once both parties agree on the accuracy of the order fulfillment, chain of custody documents are signed, and payment is collected. This often involves handling large amounts of cash, which must be counted, verified, and secured immediately. All transaction details are recorded, and using a mobile device, the transfer is officially completed in the state's seed-to-sale system, releasing the inventory from the distributor's license to the retailer's. The cycle of professional communication, meticulous verification, and secure transaction is repeated at each stop throughout the day. The final part of the day involves returning to the distribution center, where all collected payments and signed paperwork are reconciled with the finance and compliance departments. A thorough post-trip vehicle inspection is conducted before the vehicle is secured for the night.
The Logistics Coordinator - Delivery Driver has primary accountability in three operational domains:
The Logistics Coordinator - Delivery Driver directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:
| Impact Area | Strategic Influence |
|---|---|
| Cash | Directly executes the final step of the sales cycle by collecting payment from retailers, converting accounts receivable into immediate cash flow for the organization. |
| Profits | Prevents profit erosion by ensuring complete order accuracy, eliminating the significant costs associated with resolving fulfillment errors, processing returns, and re-delivering products. |
| Assets | Acts as the mobile custodian for hundreds of thousands of dollars in finished goods inventory, preventing loss, theft, or damage through secure and compliant transport protocols. |
| Growth | Builds a reputation for operational excellence and reliability, making the company the preferred distribution partner for retailers and enabling the acquisition of new accounts. |
| People | Strengthens critical B2B relationships through professional, consistent, and positive interactions with dispensary intake managers and staff. |
| Products | Guarantees product quality and integrity upon arrival by adhering to proper handling procedures and operating climate-controlled vehicles when necessary. |
| Legal Exposure | Mitigates the risk of product diversion charges and associated legal liabilities by maintaining impeccable records and an unbroken chain of custody for all transported goods. |
| Compliance | Serves as the final checkpoint and executor of seed-to-sale compliance, ensuring every physical product movement is perfectly mirrored by a digital transaction in the state system. |
| Regulatory | Ensures 100% adherence to all state-level regulations governing the transportation of cannabis products, which is essential for maintaining the company's distribution license. |
Reports To: This position typically reports to the Logistics Manager, Fleet Manager, or Director of Distribution.
Similar Roles: This role's unique fusion of responsibilities is analogous to a Secure Logistics Specialist from the armored transport sector, a Medical Courier from pharmaceuticals, or a Route Sales Representative from the CPG/beverage industry. These roles share the core requirements of secure asset handling, meticulous record-keeping, route management, and direct customer interaction. For broader market comparison, titles like Supply Chain Coordinator or Distribution Specialist also capture elements of the role, though they may lack the specific focus on in-transit security and final-mile customer-facing responsibilities.
Works Closely With: This position maintains daily operational alignment with the Inventory Control Manager, Warehouse Associates, the Sales Team, and the Compliance Officer.
Success in this role requires mastery of a specific technology stack:
Top candidates for this position often possess experience from industries with similar operational demands:
The role demands a specific set of professional attributes for success:
These organizations create the framework of rules and procedures that govern this position's daily activities:
| Acronym/Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| B2B | Business-to-Business. Refers to transactions between two businesses, such as a distributor and a retailer. |
| CoC | Chain of Custody. The chronological documentation or paper trail showing the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical or electronic evidence. |
| COA | Certificate of Analysis. A document issued by a third-party lab that confirms a regulated product meets its product specification. It must accompany cannabis products. |
| Manifest | A legal document required by state regulators that lists all cannabis products, quantities, origins, and destinations for a specific transport. |
| Metrc | Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance. A widely used seed-to-sale tracking system that uses RFID tags to monitor cannabis products. |
| POD | Proof of Delivery. Documentation, typically a signed manifest, that confirms the recipient received the goods. |
| RFID | Radio-Frequency Identification. The technology used in Metrc tags to track individual plants and packages throughout the supply chain. |
| S2S | Seed-to-Sale. A tracking system that logs every stage of a cannabis product's life cycle, from its cultivation origins to its sale to a consumer. |
| SKU | Stock Keeping Unit. A unique code used to identify each different product. |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure. A set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out complex routine operations. |
| WMS | Warehouse Management System. Software that supports and optimizes warehouse functionality and distribution center management. |
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