Cover Route Sales Representative/Driver

MARTINS FAMOUS PASTRY SHOPPE•Houston, TX

11d•$50,000 - $55,000

About The Position

The Relief Route Salesperson serves as a substitute for established sales routes and represents Martin’s to customers. The role focuses on building customer loyalty through excellent service, promoting products and increasing sales, maintaining route service levels, and communicating effectively with store management and teammates. The salesperson handles ordering, paperwork, cash accounts, deliveries, merchandising, customer concerns, and route-vehicle upkeep while following safety, food safety, quality, and Good Manufacturing Practices requirements. The position requires flexible scheduling, including early morning hours and Saturdays, and the ability to accept last-minute schedule changes. The employee must be able to operate a route delivery step van or box truck and perform the physical tasks involved in loading, unloading, merchandising, and making deliveries. Pay is $50,000–$55,000, paid weekly.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED preferred.
One to three months of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of handheld order-processing systems.
Current, valid driver’s license.
Current, valid DOT Medical Card or ability to pass a DOT physical examination.
Ability to complete the on-site Safe Driving course before operating a company vehicle.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Ability to work flexible schedules, accept last-minute schedule changes, and work Saturdays and early morning hours.
Ability to work independently and stay self-motivated.
Ability to learn a variety of sales routes and maintain the route salesperson’s service levels and sales volume.
Ability to operate a route delivery step van or box truck; some vans weigh over 10,001 pounds.
Ability to walk, stand, talk or hear, handle and feel objects, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as required.
Ability to regularly lift or move up to 30 pounds, frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.
Ability to frequently enter and exit a delivery vehicle, which may involve two to three steps.

Responsibilities

Promote products and increase sales through shelf expansion, in-store promotions, end displays, and introducing products to new customers.
Follow established route sales objectives when covering an established route.
Use the sales ordering system, prepare paperwork, and manage cash accounts accurately.
Follow company policies and federal and local safety regulations.
Submit customer changes and orders accurately and on time.
Record sales or delivery information on daily sales records, including customer signatures.
Merchandise products according to product mix, rotation cycle, and color-code requirements, and arrange products neatly at display points.
Contact prospective customers to solicit new business.
Communicate with store management and provide excellent customer service.
Audit and reconcile cash at the end of the shift.
Inform regular customers about new products.
Solicit customers for promotional displays, provide promotional materials, and prepare approved promotional displays.
Listen to and resolve service complaints promptly, offering alternative solutions as needed.
Collect and manage empty containers, rejected products, and unsold merchandise.
Load the truck with daily orders and display cases; unload returns, empty baskets, and damaged products.
Maintain cleanliness of the route truck and scheduled service for route vehicles.
Prioritize and plan work activities and manage time to meet customer needs, increase sales, and provide proactive service.
Adapt to workplace, schedule, and priority changes to reach sales goals.
Follow safety, food safety, quality, and Good Manufacturing Practices regulations.