Route Sales Specialist II - Portland

Route Sales Specialist II - Portland

Location: Portland, ME, US

FRESH. FORWARD. FLOWERS. Flowers Foods, Inc. 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.

Full-time employees are offered the following benefits: Comprehensive health and medical benefits, 401(k) Retirement savings plan, Professional growth and leadership training, Paid vacation, holidays, and parental leave. Benefits may vary depending on your work location.

Bringing Home the Dough

The Route Sales Specialist II (RSS II) is a certified trainer, responsible for training new Route Sales Representatives (RSR) and Route Sales Trainees (RST) supporting all training processes. The RSS II is also responsible for the ordering, sales, delivery, and merchandising of a slate of nationally- and locally branded fresh baked products and developing relationships with customers' managers and other personnel. Position will be assigned to various company routes on an as needed basis to service retail customers, restaurants, and institutions with the goal of maximizing sales opportunities by meeting customer expectations and following established best practices. Position will drive incremental sales by executing the required market programs while exceeding customer expectations. Position will require RSS II to service accounts during customer designated service windows, which may require RSS II to work non-traditional business hours, weekends, or holidays. Potential for overnight travel outside of normally assigned location. Positions requires an incumbent with an eagerness to gain industry knowledge and to learn the skills necessary for success.

Rising to the Challenge: Position Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• 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 time-off
• Provide a high level of in-field training to new RSRs and RSTs, 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 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 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 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 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 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 regulatory policies such as Department of Transportation (DOT) policies and 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.)
• 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

Knead to Know: Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Ingredients: Essential Job Requirements

Highschool diploma or GED

Salary Range- $26.50 per hour after 4 week training period at $24.50

Sign-on Bonus: Earn an extra $1,000! Paid out as $500 after 90 days and $500 after 6 months of continuous employment.

We offer a competitive salary and an excellent total rewards package.

EEO Statement Flowers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Flowers encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or people of any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.