Area Manager

Area Manager

Be part of something special - we are hiring! Cozzini Bros., is a 100-year-old company and is America's largest commercial knife rental and knife sharpening service. Our 100,000+ customers include some of the largest and most recognizable restaurant and grocery chains in the United States. Food service professionals love sharp knives!

Cozzini believes in developing its workforce. Area Managers will be offered the opportunity to learn new skills, hone current skills, work on new projects, and get involved in activities that help the company continue to grow.

Cozzini is on a mission to grow our business dramatically, and as a result, we are looking for an experienced Area Manager based in the Nashville, TN region.

Job Summary:

Oversee all aspects of Cozzini's operation in the appointed area, including route delivery operations, new business generation (to the extent the appointed area has no separate new business generation function), and administration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Human Resources

• Recruit and hire high-quality personnel.
• Provide each employee with adequate training and a clear explanation of the requirements of his/her position.
• Coach, motivate, and evaluate all personnel on a regular basis.
• Periodically ride routes with drivers to evaluate performance and provide coaching.
• Periodically make calls with new business personnel (to the extent the appointed area has no separate new business generation function) to evaluate performance and provide coaching.
• Set and maintain proper grooming and appearance standards for all employees.
• Maintain records of employee attendance and schedule vacations of all employees so as to ensure continuous operation.
• Ensure all employees work in compliance with Company policies and procedures.

Customer Service and Delivery

• Establish and maintain customer goodwill by providing high-quality products and 100% deliveries each day on all routes.
• Handle service problems expediently and with the best interests of both the customer and Cozzini in mind. Eliminate the "root cause" of service problems wherever possible.
• Get personally involved in any request by a customer to cancel service to see if there is a reasonable basis to maintain the business or if there is a systemic problem to be corrected.
• Maintain an efficient route structure to include periodic reviews for optimization and oversee inventory exchanges with the sharpening center.
• Oversee the proper appearance, maintenance, and care of all Company vehicles, and ensure that drivers adhere to the safety procedures outlined in the Company's Fleet Safety Policy.
• Oversee the upkeep, maintenance, and regular cleaning of the facility.
• Oversee the timely, efficient, and cost-effective interface with the sharpening center.
• Maintain an adequate and accurate inventory of rental and sales equipment and interface with headquarters personnel to supply replenishment on a proactive and cost-effective basis.
• Provide route relief when drivers are on vacation or out of work, as well as during holiday weeks.

Sales and Marketing

• Achieve assigned area sales goals. Develop a specific plan to achieve these goals and set up a reporting system to monitor performance vs. goals.
• Sell additional business in existing accounts, both personally and in conjunction with route sales personnel.
• Develop a system to generate and process sales leads to grow the customer base.
• Oversee the implementation of price increases as directed by the Regional General Manager.
• Be aware of any competitive activity within assigned accounts, respond prudently, and keep the Regional General Manager informed.

Administration

• Debrief with drivers and ensure Company check-out procedures are followed.
• Oversee adherence to the Company's cash collection and deposit procedures.
• Ensure route and new business paperwork is completed accurately, neatly, on a timely basis, and in compliance with Company procedures.
• Ensure that all accidents and injuries are reported on a timely basis in compliance with Company procedures.
• Assist with accounts receivable collection as requested by headquarters personnel.
• Oversee operational expenses of the area to ensure fiscal prudence.
• Assist with overall Company improvement activities as directed by the Regional General Manager.

Requirements:

Requirements:

• Have a valid driver's license.
• Pass a pre-employment drug and background test.
• Meet pre-employment and periodic MVR requirements as outlined in the Company's Fleet Safety Program.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. repetitively, reach, twist, turn, bend, climb, and pull.
• Overnight travel is required.

Successful candidates will possess:

• Strong oral, written, and listening communication skills and a commitment to communicate actively with subordinates, peers, and headquarters personnel.
• Ability to develop the skills and competencies of subordinates through training, development and motivational activities.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities.
• Managerial skills in order to lead a team, hire, fire and totally manage the daily operations of the assigned area.
• Demonstrated executive skills, high integrity and honesty by developing an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, meeting commitments and operating in compliance with Company policies and procedures.
• A strong sense of customer service and customer satisfaction.
• Ability to make decisions based on logical assumptions and good judgment, including alternative courses of action.
• Maintain stability of performance in challenging situations of high stress and multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrated strong work ethic, including a willingness to work long hours when necessary to achieve Company goals, and high work standards as model for subordinate employees.

In 2026, Area Managers will be bonused on a combination of quarterly metrics (50% of total bonus) and annual Cozzini EBITDA performance (50%). You will also be provided a company vehicle to use during work with gas, service/maintenance, and insurance all paid for by the company.

We look forward to hearing from you! Apply today!