Route Sales Specialist II - Portland, Maine - $26/hour

Why Flowers?

Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) is one of the largest producers of packaged bakery foods in the United States with 2022 sales of $4.8 billion. Among the company's top brands are Nature's Own, Dave's Killer Bread, Wonder, Canyon Bakehouse, and Tastykake. Learn more at www.flowersfoods.com.

Our team is the essential ingredient to success. We embrace diversity and foster an environment that reflects our values of Honesty & Integrity, Respect & Inclusion, Sustainability, Passion, and Humility.

Full-time employees are offered:

• 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 and your participation in a collective bargaining unit.

Summary

Position Summary

REASONS TO JOIN LEPAGE BAKERIES
•    $26/hour 
•    $1,500.00 New Hire Retention Bonus at 90 days employed!
•    Excellent benefits package including healthcare, dental, and vision
•    Company matching 401k, paid time-off, and paid company holidays
•    Career advancement opportunities in a growing organization
•    Top of class brands, baking and selling Country Kitchen, Wonder, Nature's Own, Dave's Killer Bread, and Tastykake products
•    Industry leading Route Sales Training program
•    Our team is second to none in the baking industry. The talent, knowledge, and dedication of our team members, our associates, and the direct store delivery network - all are important keys to our success.

 

 

The Route Sales Specialist (RSS) is a certified trainer, responsible for training new Route Sales Representatives and supporting all training processes. The RSS is responsible for the ordering, sales, delivery, and merchandising of a slate of nationally- and locally branded fresh baked products.  Position is assigned to a company route 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 flexibility to work varying workdays and early morning start times.  Generally, days off are Wednesday and Sundays but may vary at times.  Potential for overnight travel outside of assigned location.

Positions requires an incumbent with an eagerness to gain industry knowledge and to learn the skills necessary for success.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
•    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
•    As needed, operate company routes and provide coverages of routes for route sales representatives’ (RSR) time off
•    Provide a high level of in-field training to new route sales representatives including training on all tasks and objectives outline in the Route Sales Operations Manual
•    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 use of in-store promotions and displays
•    Adhere to the route structure, stop sequence, and established service times in order to drive efficiency and to ensure continued customer satisfaction and consistent service times
•    Know and follow all retailer/account standard operating procedures around check in/check out
•    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 display