Route Sales Specialist

Flowers Foods

1d•$75 - $90

About The Position

Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE:FLO) is not just about baking; it's about crafting moments of joy with every delicious bite. With 2024 sales of $5.1 billion, and as one of the leading producers of packaged bakery goods in the United States, Flowers Foods brings passion to the table. From the wholesome goodness of Nature's Own and Wonder to the bold and artisanal flavors of Dave's Killer Bread, the rustic goodness of Canyon Bakehouse, and the sweet delights of Tastykake, each product is a celebration of taste and quality. Beyond the oven, Flowers Foods fosters a culture that values and reflects Honesty & Integrity, Respect & Inclusion, Sustainability, Passion, and Humility. With a commitment to innovation and a recipe for success, Flowers Foods is more than a bakery – it's a delightful journey into the heart of flavor and community. The Route Sales Specialist (RSS) is an accomplished trainer, responsible for training new Route Sales Representatives (RSR) and Route Delivery Drivers (RDD) and for supporting all training processes. The RSS is responsible for sorting, inventorying, building, loading, delivering, and merchandising daily orders of products to retail customers. The RSS is required to accurately invoice products at the time of delivery to retail customers by meeting customer expectations and following established best practices. The position will drive sales efforts by executing the service and delivery expectations of the position. The position will be assigned to various company routes on an as-needed basis to service retail customers, restaurants, and institutions to maximize sales opportunities by meeting customer expectations and following established best practices. The position will require RSS to service accounts during customer-designated service windows, which may require RSS to work non-traditional business hours, weekends, or holidays. Potential for overnight travel outside of normally assigned location. The position requires an incumbent with an eagerness to gain industry knowledge and learn the skills necessary for success. The position interacts with the general public and customers daily. A neat, professional appearance is a requirement of this position and may require a specific uniform. The Company is registered with the Department of Transportation (DOT) as a private motor carrier and as such is subject to State and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules and regulations. RSSs will be required to safely and efficiently operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) – a vehicle used to deliver products in the stream of interstate commerce exceeding a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lbs. RSSs deliver to retail stores at assigned times each day and complete service within the expected duration. The RSS may be required to work non-traditional business hours, weekends, or holidays.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 1-year related experience in retail sales, DSD sales, and/or business-to-business sales.

Responsibilities

Must be able to obtain DOT medical certification and re-certification to drive a 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 (including hours of service) as required.
Safely and efficiently operate a CMV.
Adhere to all FMCSA/DOT rules and regulations, as well as similar local rules and regulations.
Cooperate with DOT roadside inspections.
Maintain cleanliness of an organized workspace and vehicle.
Secure and organize inventory in the truck to prevent product damage.
Leverage internal sales data and company marketing plans to drive growth with customers through proper planning, ordering, and execution.
As needed, operate company routes, and provide coverages of routes for RSRs and RDDs time-off.
Provide a high level of in-field training to new RSRs and RDDs, including training on all tasks and objectives outlined in the Route Sales Operations Manual.
Establish and maintain strong customer relations 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 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 products and removing damaged or out-of-code products as necessary.
Follow the 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 merchandized 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's playbooks and gain additional shelf space and promotional displays to execute the rollout and drive consumer trial.
Obtain authorization (i.e., “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 costs and drive sales.
Adhere to customer-required shelf schematic/plan-o-gram to ensure customer compliance and to meet the objectives of brand teams.
Master the best practices of the Route Sales and Route Delivery training program.
Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures (Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity, Harassment, Sarbanes–Oxley, etc.).
Perform other duties deemed by management to be an integral part of the position, including but not limited to fulfillment of work schedules, adherence to attendance policies, and other applicable operating rules, policies, and procedures.
Must be able to acquire and maintain a DOT medical card.