Route Sales Manager - Orlando, Florida

Sara Lee Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. The Corporation has operations in 58 countries and markets branded products in nearly 200 nations. Sara Lee Corporation employs 137,000 people worldwide.Sara Lee Foodservice, a business group of Sara Lee Corporation, is a leading innovation supplier of integrated beverage, bakery and meats solutions to a broad base of customers across North America. The business segment markets products enjoyed away from home under such well-known brand names as Douwe Egberts, Superior Coffee and Paradise iced tea for beverage; Sara Lee and Chef Pierre for bakery products; and Sara Lee, Jimmy Dean, Ball Park and Hillshire Farm for meats. In addition, some products are sold under customer brands. Sara Lee Foodservice goes to market through foodservice distribution partners as well as through an extensive direct route delivery system, offering Sara Lee products to restaurants, retail establishments, schools, healthcare facilities, hospitality venues, warehouses and other foodservice operators. 
Position Summary: Responsible for leading a service and product delivery team that are recognized as coffee and equipment experts and will interface with national and direct channel customers.  Accountable for delivering and communicating national foodservice partnership agreements and direct channel specialty distribution value proposition via standard national image and communication initiatives.  Responsible for designing territories that optimize organizational effectiveness while achieving customer retention goals.  Assign work projects and monitor group schedules to ensure optimum efficiency and rapid turnaround. Proactively interface with national foodservice and direct channel customers to communicate initiatives and resolve problems. Responsible for developing a local customer service culture which includes an attention to detail that recognizes and reports customer needs and interacts in the local market using service communication skills.  Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Responsible for day-to-day planning and execution of customer service and technical support to ensure customers receive the best service possible. Prioritize customer presence and staff work load with top customers and manage customer retention by providing coffee and equipment expertise, value-added services and fostering professional relationships with key customer personnel.  Manage field sales communication system to report customer cup quality, preventative maintenance needs and local opportunities that could significantly impact overall order entry and/or sales and budget plans.  Provide staffing, training, guidance and coaching for service and product delivery team. Establish goals and objectives for employees. Responsible for personnel management including, but not limited to, recruitment, training, performance management/appraisals, salary administration, terminations and a commitment to diversity. Manage P/L for all expenses, reconciliations of fixed asset inventory, revenue billings, internal G/L cost transaction and formal reporting monthly. Establish par inventory levels for parts and equipment to support the region's customer locations. Controls inventory by replenishment guidelines and changing demographics by dispenser type in the field. College degree highly preferred5-7 years working experience in a related customer service business-to-business field;Previous supervisory experience and/or demonstrated leadership skills;Proficient in assessing customer needs;Ability to lift and carry products weighing approximately 50+ lbs;Possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record;Must comply with State and Federal mandated requirements of controlled substances & alcohol testing;  Must be knowledgeable about and understand current Department of Transportation regulations;Able to work independently with little supervision;Able to make decisions with high level of confidence;Demonstrated ability to effectively interface with multi-functional groups/personnel within an organization;Well-developed interpersonal, communication and leadership skills;Must possess strong PC skills including spreadsheet and word processing software.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer