Manager, Route Sales

CONA Services•Oklahoma City, OK

About The Position

The Route Sales Manager identifies sales opportunities, maximizes profitability, maintains merchandising standards, and oversees order replenishment activities within an assigned territory. The role leads a team of four to six Merchandisers / Order Replenishment Merchandisers (ORMs), coordinating sales and merchandising activities with Field Sales teams and serving as the main point of contact for ordering, transmissions, missed deliveries, dispatch, hot shots, off-day deliveries, and CSTs. The manager builds customer relationships and sells plans, pricing, and promotions to grow sales and beverage-category profitability. The role also tracks performance, evaluates promotional effectiveness, resolves execution issues, manages merchandising labor and OPEX budgets, and trains and develops team members. The position is based in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM until finish. Starting pay is based on experience; additional earning opportunities may include performance-based incentives, quarterly bonuses, referral bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience with a high school diploma required.
At least 3 years of experience in consumer products/direct store delivery sales.
Experience managing people and budgets.
At least 2 years supervising sales staff.
Strong presence and persuasive presentation skills.
Intermediate computer and database application skills, with ability to multitask across multiple customer accounts.
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills.
Excellent planning and organization skills.
Ability to operate a manual or powered pallet jack or lift product.
Valid driver’s license and driving record within MVR policy guidelines.
Personal vehicle required for use during working hours.
Current vehicle liability insurance required.

Nice To Haves

Packaged goods experience preferred; beverage experience is an asset.
Bilingual ability, preferably Spanish.

Responsibilities

Lead a team of Merchandisers / Order Replenishment Merchandisers to maintain merchandising standards and execute order replenishment and PIcOs in the assigned territory.
Maximize profitable sales opportunities by understanding customer businesses and building trusted relationships with customer management teams.
Sell customer plans, including annual CMAs, strategic and tactical pricing plans, and promotional plans.
Evaluate outlet opportunities, collaborate in selling, and overcome customer objections.
Help customers reach sales potential for company products through creative merchandising ideas.
Propose appropriate brands, packages, and equipment to meet customer and consumer needs while leveraging national and local marketing initiatives.
Execute channel and customer promotions and programs using national brand ideas and consumer insights to increase consumer preference and customer activity.
Sell in and implement promotional strategies for new brands and packages.
Activate Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages system resources and cross-functional team members to develop and implement customer business plans and solutions that support beverage-category profit, volume, and customer sales growth.
Resolve issues that arise during execution and eliminate barriers.
Track daily, weekly, and monthly call activity and performance against goals and expectations.
Conduct post-promotion analysis and make necessary changes based on results.
Arrange time and territory proactively to maximize face-to-face selling opportunities.
Train, evaluate, and develop Merchandisers / ORMs and build capabilities for future career advancement.
Supervise daily sales and coordinate merchandising and order replenishment activities with Field Sales teams.
Serve as the main point of contact for ordering, transmissions, missed deliveries, dispatch, hot shots, off-day deliveries, and CSTs.
Build relationships with store managers and outlet team members.
Visit accounts routinely to monitor merchandising and order replenishment standards and back-room management.
Manage merchandising labor and OPEX budgets.