Route Sales Representative - Wilton, ME

Flowers Foods • Wilton, CT

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Flowers Foods, Inc. is a leading producer of packaged bakery goods in the United States with $5.1 billion in 2024 sales. The Route Sales Representative (RSR) is responsible for the ordering, sales, delivery, and merchandising of a slate of nationally- and locally branded fresh baked products. The RSR will develop relationships with customers' managers and other personnel, service retail customers, restaurants, and institutions, and maximize sales opportunities by meeting customer expectations and following established best practices. The position will drive incremental sales by executing required market programs and exceeding customer expectations. The RSR will service accounts during customer-designated service windows, which may require working non-traditional business hours, weekends, or holidays. This position requires an incumbent with an eagerness to gain industry knowledge and learn the skills necessary for success.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum of 1 year related experience in retail sales, DSD sales, and/or business-to-business sales
• Must be able to obtain DOT medical certification to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
• Must meet the Fleet insurance Guidelines in relation to your MVR (Motor Vehicle Record)
• Safely and efficiently operate a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) more than 10,000 pounds

Nice To Haves

• Equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills may supplement above minimum job requirements.

Responsibilities

• Acting as a sales associate and delivery driver to drive retail sales and territory sales.
• Leverage internal sales data and company marketing plans to drive growth with customers through proper planning, ordering, and execution.
• Establish and maintain strong customer relations in order to effectively communicate sales solutions and improve customer satisfaction.
• Order product using an online state-of-the-art order planner to ensure customers are receiving the freshest product possible.
• Increase sales through shelf space expansion and the sale/use of in-store promotions and displays.
• Adhere to the company assigned route structure, stop sequence, and established service times to drive efficiency and to ensure continued customer satisfaction and consistent service times.
• Know and follow all retailer/account standard operating procedures, including, but not limited to, check in/check out and service windows.
• Adhere to the fresh market policy by appropriately rotating product and removing damaged or out-of-code product as necessary.
• Follow shelf-life cycle of each brand/product.
• Ensure shelf life is maximized with proper rotation of products to ensure that backstock is rotated and stocked first before the next fresh delivery is merchandised on shelves/displays.
• Perform daily route settlement requirements: verifying product quantities, accurately invoicing the proper account, and adhering to the cash collection policy.
• Perform an accurate weekly inventory in the handheld computer device at select accounts on specific days designated by the company.
• Support the introduction of new products to the marketplace based on the retailer playbooks and gain additional shelf space and promotional displays to execute the rollout and drive consumer trial.
• Obtain authorization (“sell in”) from accounts’ key decision makers for promotional product displays. Properly place and assemble displays to maximize exposure to consumers and to increase sales penetration.
• Review weekly route analysis to identify voids and sales opportunities.
• Review key performance indicators to reduce cost and drive sales.
• Adhere to required customer shelf schematic/plan-o-gram to ensure customer compliance and to meet the objectives of brand teams.
• Master the best practices of the RSR training program.
• Must be able to obtain DOT medical certification to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
• Must meet the Fleet insurance Guidelines in relation to your MVR (Motor Vehicle Record).
• Perform all required daily vehicle inspections, maintain accurate vehicle records, immediately report vehicle maintenance issues, and complete daily driver’s logs and time records as required.
• Safely and efficiently operate a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) more than 10,000 pounds.
• Adhere to all company policies, Department of Transportation (DOT) policies, as well as local and federal regulations.
• Maintain cleanliness of an organized workspace and vehicle.
• Secure and organize inventory in the truck to prevent product damage.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures (Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity, Harassment, Sarbanes – Oxley, etc.).

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and medical benefits
• 401(k) Retirement savings plan
• Professional growth and leadership training
• Paid vacation, holidays, and parental leave
• Sign-On Bonus: Earn an extra $1,000! Paid out as $500 after 90 days and $500 after 6 months of continuous employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED