You could also consider using CTEs.
WITH Notifications AS (
SELECT sales_order_number
, count(sales_order_number) as Notification_cnt
FROM ztb_IMP_Notifications
GROUP BY sales_order_number)
SELECT ztb_Carrier_Delivery_Metrics.Delivery
, ztb_Carrier_Delivery_Metrics.Delivery_Item
, n.Sales_Order_Number
, ztb_Carrier_Delivery_Metrics.REF_DOC
, n.Notification_cnt
FROM ztb_Carrier_Delivery_Metrics cdm
INNER JOIN Notifications n ON cdm.REF_DOC = n.Sales_Order_Number
WHERE cdm.Ref_Doc > ''