As a privately held discount retail chain founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot operates 153 stores throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The company employs approximately 5,600 employees and operates one of the largest distribution centers in Rhode Island, with 1.3 million sq. ft. of storage space, 134 doors, and 88,000 pallet positions. Annual sales exceed $800 million.
OSJL specializes in selling brand-name merchandise at closeout prices, with a mission to provide exceptional value to its customers while supporting numerous causes that include feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning through its Charitable Foundation.
The OSJL Charitable Foundation is a philanthropic leader in the retail industry. In 2023, the foundation supported 710 nonprofit organizations through its “Close to Our Heart” program, which enables OSJL store teams to make decisions about local charities to support. The foundation provided millions of meals to individuals and families struggling with food insecurity through its “Three Square Meals” program.
Through its “Buy-Give-Get” programs, the foundation partnered with OSJL customers to supply a record 63,000 warm coats to veterans and 36,000 backpacks to children of military families. Through its “To the Rescue” initiative, donations were made to more than 190 animal welfare organizations through pet supplies, pet food, and cash donations. The OSJL Charitable Foundation supports natural disaster relief, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, and is committed to global humanitarian aid.
OSJL strives to grow, develop, and support its diverse and talented team. The company was named a four-time “Best Employer” by a well-known national business magazine, a three-time “U.S. Best Managed Company” by Deloitte, and a two-time “Sustainability Leader” by Business Intelligence Group. In addition, the company was recognized in 2023 with the “Fleet of the Year Award” by the Rhode Island Trucking Association.
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Jeff Smith, OSJL senior manager of transportation and logistics, has been recognized as a fleet management expert and is a 20-year veteran of the Rhode Island Air National Guard. Smith has been actively involved with NPTC for more than a decade and is a frequent speaker at NPTC conferences and webcasts.
“I really enjoy being a part of the Council, one of my favorite organizations,” Smith said. “There is so much ROI available. The biggest value for me is the open environment of networking with hundreds of fleet professionals I’ve come to know over the years. The benchmarking reports are invaluable to our fleet operations.”
OSJL’s private fleet is an integral element that contributes to the company’s success as it becomes less reliant on external carriers. The fleet includes 70 CDL Class A drivers, 63 power units consisting primarily of day cabs, some sleeper cabs, 588 dry van trailers, two refrigerator trucks, one flatbed truck, and 88 container chassis.
“Our fleet oversees 100% of outbound shipments and manages 56 to 60% of inbound ones,” Smith said. “Throughout 2023, we executed 16,975 deliveries, drayed 2,107 containers, and coordinated a total of 3,000 inbound shipments utilizing a blend of our private fleet and third-party services.”
Safety at Ocean State is of utmost importance. A dedicated transportation safety manager was recruited specifically to oversee the fleet and the installation of cameras in the cabs. A lead-driver training initiative was recently launched, and drivers undergo training using the Smith System.
“We’re implementing a systematic equipment replacement schedule, establishing a comprehensive accident investigation protocol, and prioritizing premium truck specifications such as disc brakes,” Smith explained. “In the past year, our vigilant cost management in areas like drayage, detention, and demurrage fees has yielded savings exceeding $1 million. However, our primary forthcoming challenge revolves around compliance with the EPA’s 2027 regulations concerning NOx emissions.”
As a recipient of prestigious awards and accolades, including recognition for fleet management excellence, OSJL continues to grow, innovate, and support its dedicated team. Jeff Smith embodies this dedication, leveraging his expertise and experience to drive the company’s fleet operations forward while maintaining focus on safety, innovation, and compliance.
As OSJL looks to the future, it remains committed to its core values of integrity, excellence, and service, striving to make a difference in the lives of customers, employees, and communities.
