Route Sales Representative Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the ever-evolving world of sales and distribution, the role of a Route Sales Representative is more crucial than ever.
As businesses strive to deliver their products efficiently and effectively, the demand for proficient individuals who can plan, execute, and optimize sales routes grows significantly.
So, what exactly is expected of a Route Sales Representative?
Whether you are:
- A job seeker trying to understand the core of this role,
- A hiring manager outlining the ideal candidate,
- Or simply curious about the day-to-day operations in route sales,
You’ve landed in the right place.
Today, we introduce a customizable Route Sales Representative job description template, devised for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.
Let’s dive right into it.
Route Sales Representative Duties and Responsibilities
Route Sales Representatives are directly involved in the process of selling and delivering products to businesses and individual customers along a specified route.
They are primarily responsible for maintaining relationships with existing customers and creating relationships with potential customers.
Their daily duties and responsibilities include:
- Generating and pursuing leads to increase sales
- Presenting product information to potential customers
- Selling and delivering products to businesses and individual customers along a specified route
- Maintaining relationships with existing customers and establishing relationships with new ones
- Collecting payments from customers and processing them accordingly
- Keeping track of inventory and ensuring that the vehicle is always stocked with products
- Providing excellent customer service and handling customer complaints or concerns
- Completing sales reports and other documentation as required
- Maintaining the vehicle in good working condition and ensuring that it is clean and presentable
Route Sales Representative Job Description Template
Job Brief
We are seeking a motivated and customer-oriented Route Sales Representative to deliver our products and manage customer relationships.
The Route Sales Representative will be responsible for serving existing accounts, obtaining orders, and establishing new accounts along a designated route.
Candidates should be familiar with route sales and have a deep understanding of customer service practices.
Ultimately, the role of the Route Sales Representative is to maintain strong relationships with our customers, ensuring their satisfaction and promoting our products.
Responsibilities
- Deliver products to customers along a designated route
- Inspect and rotate product inventory during delivery
- Establish new accounts by planning and organizing daily work schedule
- Resolve customer complaints by investigating problems, developing solutions, and making recommendations
- Maintain customer records and update account information
- Meet sales goals and targets set by the company
- Ensure adherence to all company procedures and policies
- Maintain a professional appearance and provide a positive company image to the public
Qualifications
- Proven work experience as a Route Sales Representative or similar role
- Familiarity with route sales and territory management
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle
- Physically capable of performing the duties of the position, including lifting heavy items
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- High school diploma
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plan
- Paid time off
Additional Information
- Job Title: Route Sales Representative
- Work Environment: Field work, with some administrative duties. Regular travel is a major part of the job.
- Reporting Structure: Reports to the Sales Manager.
- Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
- Pay Range: $35,000 minimum to $55,000 maximum
- Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
- Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].
What Does a Route Sales Representative Do?
Route Sales Representatives typically work for delivery service companies, manufacturers, or distributors.
They are responsible for selling and delivering products to various businesses along a specific route.
They interact closely with existing customers to maintain strong relationships, ensure customer satisfaction, and resolve any customer issues or complaints.
They also actively look for opportunities to expand their route by identifying and soliciting potential new customers.
Their job involves presenting and selling products, taking orders, and arranging delivery to the customers’ premises.
They also collect payments or ensure appropriate billing.
Route Sales Representatives often manage their own inventory and must ensure that they have sufficient products to meet customer needs.
This includes keeping track of stock levels, ordering new supplies, loading delivery vehicles, and, in some cases, restocking customers’ shelves.
In addition, they might be required to perform minor maintenance on delivery vehicles and keep accurate records of their sales, deliveries, inventory, and mileage.
Their goal is to increase sales volume, meet sales targets, and ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.
Route Sales Representative Qualifications and Skills
A proficient Route Sales Representative should possess the following skills and qualifications to excel in their role:
- Strong customer service skills to interact with clients and handle their concerns, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Excellent sales skills to present and sell company products effectively, and to meet sales targets consistently.
- Good time management and organizational skills to plan and follow a daily route, ensuring that all clients are visited and served in a timely manner.
- Physical stamina to drive and travel to various client locations, and to load and unload products as necessary.
- Mathematical skills for managing transactions, tracking sales, and calculating costs.
- Communication skills to convey the features and benefits of products to clients, and to report to management about sales and customer feedback.
- Problem-solving skills to address customer complaints, product issues, or other challenges that may arise during sales visits.
- Knowledge of safety and road regulations to ensure safe and legal operation of company vehicles.
Route Sales Representative Experience Requirements
Entry-level Route Sales Representatives are often required to have 1-2 years of experience in a customer service or sales role.
This experience can come from part-time work, internships, or other related positions.
Understanding of sales principles and customer service practices, along with solid communication and negotiation skills, are essential at this stage.
Candidates with over 3 years of experience have usually worked in roles such as Retail Sales Associate, Customer Service Representative or Field Sales Representative.
They have a proven track record of meeting sales quotas and are experienced in route planning and management.
Those with more than 5 years of experience in route sales are generally proficient in inventory management, order processing, and merchandising.
They have possibly assumed leadership roles, managing teams or coordinating sales strategies.
This level of experience may qualify them for supervisory or managerial roles within the sales department.
Additional experience in using CRM systems and databases, along with a familiarity with MS Excel, can be a significant plus.
A valid driver’s license is typically a must-have requirement for this role.
Route Sales Representative Education and Training Requirements
Route Sales Representatives typically require a high school diploma or equivalent.
They must have a solid understanding of customer service and sales principles, as well as strong organizational skills.
In-depth training in sales, marketing, and business administration can be beneficial, which can be obtained through vocational training or a two-year associate degree in business or a related field.
On-the-job training is also a significant part of a Route Sales Representative’s preparation.
This training often involves working closely with a more experienced sales representative or supervisor to learn the specifics of the role, such as managing customer relationships, understanding the products or services being sold, and learning how to use the sales software.
Route Sales Representatives must have a valid driver’s license, and in some cases, employers may require a commercial driver’s license depending on the type of vehicle used for the job.
While not necessary, obtaining certifications in sales and customer service can showcase a candidate’s dedication to the profession and their skills in the field.
Additionally, continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest sales strategies and customer management techniques is encouraged for career advancement.
Route Sales Representative Salary Expectations
A Route Sales Representative earns an average salary of $42,584 (USD) per year.
The actual salary may vary depending on factors like the industry they are working in, the geographical location, and years of experience in the field.
Route Sales Representative Job Description FAQs
What skills does a Route Sales Representative need?
Route Sales Representatives need to have excellent customer service and communication skills as they interact with customers regularly.
They should also possess strong selling skills, as they need to convince customers to purchase products or services.
Good organizational skills are needed to manage their routes and schedules effectively.
Basic math skills are also essential for handling transactions.
Do Route Sales Representatives need a degree?
A degree is not typically required for a Route Sales Representative.
However, a high school diploma or equivalent is usually necessary.
Some companies might prefer candidates with a degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
More importantly, experience in sales or customer service can be a significant advantage.
What should you look for in a Route Sales Representative resume?
A good Route Sales Representative resume should highlight previous sales or customer service experience.
It should also showcase the candidate’s ability to meet sales targets and their skills in managing customer relationships.
A clean driving record is also essential as the job involves traveling to different locations.
Knowledge of the local area can also be a bonus.
What qualities make a good Route Sales Representative?
A good Route Sales Representative is self-motivated and goal-oriented, with a strong drive to meet and exceed sales targets.
They should have good interpersonal skills for building and maintaining relationships with customers.
Also, they should be detail-oriented to handle paperwork accurately and have a good sense of time management to efficiently manage their routes.
Is it difficult to hire Route Sales Representatives?
Hiring Route Sales Representatives can be challenging because it requires finding candidates who are not only good at sales but also comfortable with the physical demands of the job, such as driving and lifting heavy items.
The competition for skilled salespeople is also high, which can make the recruitment process more challenging.
Companies may need to offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain top talent.
Conclusion
So there you have it.
Today, we took you on a tour of what being a route sales representative really entails.
And here’s the surprise:
It’s not just about driving and selling.
It’s about creating profitable paths, one customer at a time.
With our handy route sales representative job description template and real-world examples, you’re geared up for your next big step.
But why stop here?
Immerse yourself further with our job description generator. It’s your key to perfecting your job listings or refining your resume to excellence.
Just remember:
Every customer interaction is a part of a larger journey.
Let’s drive that journey. Together.
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