Area Manager

Area Manager

Mission Linen Supply is hiring an Area Manager to lead a team of Route Sales & Service Representatives (RSSRs), the drivers who deliver and service our linen, uniform, and facility product lines, ensuring unsurpassed customer satisfaction and pushing the depot and district to achieve operational goals. This role is the direct equivalent of what many route-based companies call a "District Manager," and is a core leadership position with a clear path toward General Manager and Branch Manager roles at Mission.

You'll need proven, hands-on transportation or route management experience, whether in beverage distribution, courier/parcel delivery, waste services, field service, or another route-based industry. You don't need industrial laundry or uniform-industry experience; if you know how to run a team, hit service and retention goals, and grow accounts, we'll train you on our specific products and systems.

If you're looking for a stable industry with real, ongoing leadership opportunities, not just a job but a career path toward General Manager, this role is built for that. Mission Linen Supply is a family-owned, privately held company and a leading provider of linen, uniform, and facility service products across five western states. Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, Mission has grown from a one-man operation into an industry leader, while remaining stable, essential, and steadily growing. Industrial laundry and linen services are a recession-resistant, essential industry. Hospitals, hotels, and restaurants need clean linens and uniforms regardless of the economy. That means real, ongoing opportunities for career advancement, not a static org chart.

Base salary: $75,000–$85,000, based on education, experience, other qualifications, and location of assignment. On top of base pay, Area Managers have multiple, ongoing ways to grow their total compensation throughout the year:

• Company-Wide Sales Contests: tied to key business initiatives like new business development, seasonal promotions, and direct sales campaigns, with recurring payout opportunities based on branch and individual performance
• Product-Specific Performance Bonuses: additional bonuses tied to plant-level performance in targeted categories such as Retail Services and First Aid
• Top-Performer Recognition Incentive: an additional annual incentive for Area Managers who rank among the company's top performers
• Quarterly Sales Incentive: based on the sales performance of your route team
• Annual Performance Incentive: tied to overall company and plant performance

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings program
• Paid time off (sick, holiday, vacation)
• And more

As Area Manager, you'll be assigned to a specific market area with six to twelve RSSRs as direct reports. You'll manage their daily activities (route check-in, route coverage, and route restructuring) and help shape sales strategy, market area definition, product lines, and pricing for your district. This role reports directly to a General Manager, District Manager, or Branch Manager, and is one of Mission's primary pipelines into those senior leadership positions.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage the daily activities of your RSSRs, including route check-in, route coverage, and route restructuring
• Lead and coach RSSRs on customer service standards at every stop, ensuring service issues are resolved quickly and correctly the first time
• Direct and train RSSRs on upselling and cross-selling additional products and service lines to existing accounts
• Manage account renewals and contract terms, proactively renewing agreements and protecting revenue on accounts at risk of cancellation
• Assist in developing sales strategies and shaping market area definition, product lines, merchandise quality, advertising, and pricing
• Drive achievement of plant goals including forecasted volume, account retention, and contract management
• Administer a recruitment and training program for RSSRs, including initial orientation, product familiarity, company policy, goals, and objectives, plus ongoing coaching on account retention, planning, sales technique, and professionalism
• Pursue market potential, follow up, and close sales with selected customers in coordination with the General Manager, Sales Representatives, and RSSRs
• Maximize new business, deepen penetration of existing accounts, and own account retention across your market

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises six to twelve Route Sales & Service Representatives (RSSRs)
• Recruits, trains, coaches, and holds RSSRs accountable to daily and weekly service and sales goals

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Transportation, route operations, delivery, or logistics management experience (required)
• Direct leadership or supervisory experience managing a team
• Proven account management skills, including customer service delivery, upselling/cross-selling, account renewals, and contract terms
• Strong business acumen and comfort owning plant/district-level performance goals
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to provide effective leadership
• Excellent work ethic, a high level of organization, and computer literacy
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Ability to pass a physical agility test and lift up to 50 lbs (required)

Related Roles & Key Skills

District Manager, Area Manager, Route Manager, Route Operations Manager, Transportation Manager, Delivery Operations Manager, Logistics Manager, Fleet Supervisor, District Sales Manager, Field Sales Manager, Route Sales Manager, Multi-Unit Manager, Route Sales and Service Representative, RSSR, Account Management, Account Renewals, Contract Management, Customer Retention, Upselling, Cross-Selling, Customer Service Leadership, New Business Development, Uniform and Linen Services, Industrial Laundry

Ready to Lead Your Own Market? If you're an experienced route, transportation, or logistics leader looking for a stable industry, a clear path to General Manager, and strong incentive potential, apply today!

Mission Linen Supply is a family owned, privately held company, and a leading provider of products, services, and supplies to hospitality, medical, and industrial businesses. Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, the company has grown from a one-man operation to a leading player in the linen rental and uniform business across five western states. Mission Linen Supply is widely recognized for its ability to understand, anticipate, and meet its customers' needs while providing environmentally friendly goods and services.

Mission Linen Supply is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), Affirmative Action Plan (AAP), VEVRAA Protected Veterans, Federal Contractor and Worker with Disabilities employer. Mission Linen Supply is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran or any other protected status with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion and other terms and conditions of employment. Worker with Disabilities needing assistance applying please feel free to call HR Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

To be considered for employment with Mission Linen Supply, you will need to apply online at missionlinen.com, select careers and apply for the position you are interested in. We will review your qualifications and will contact you via email or phone if you are selected for an interview.