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Drivers/Sales Workers, also called route workers, operate trucks, vans, and automobiles to sell and/or deliver products and services to businesses and homes within a predetermined area. They handle items such as laundry, dry cleaning, diapers, foodstuffs, beverages, bottled water, and magazines and newspapers.

JOB DUTIES  

Drivers/Sales Workers may:

Inspect and inventory the goods before loading

Sign forms for receipt of goods

Sort merchandise by the planned delivery order

Load or supervise the loading of merchandise onto the truck

Deliver previously ordered merchandise

Accept payments from customers and write receipts

Place stock on shelves and racks or in vending machines

Keep records of deliveries and related expenses

Inform customers of new products or services

Accept orders for merchandise on the truck or for future deliveries

Return faulty, damaged, or spoiled goods to the company

The tools and equipment used may include:

• Work orders and maps

• Delivery schedules and instructions

• Dollies, pushcarts, hand trucks, and knives

• Fabric covers to protect merchandise

• Ropes and furniture belts

• Hand tools for minor repairs/adjustments/removing doors from hinges

• Cellular Telephones

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Drivers/Sales Workers may specialize in these areas:

DRIVERS/SALES WORKERS, also called route workers, operate trucks, vans, and automobiles to sell and/or deliver products and services to businesses and homes within a predetermined area. They handle items such as laundry, dry cleaning, diapers, foodstuffs, beverages, bottles water, and magazines and newspapers.

292.353-010 SALES ROUTE DRIVERS make at least five times as many stops as wholesale drivers do. Wholesale drivers usually drive heavier trucks than retail drivers do. All Sales Route Drivers may need is to be familiar with the streets in their territory.

292.363-010 NEWSPAPER-DELIVERY DRIVERS deliver newspapers and/or magazines to wholesale or retail newspaper dealers; bus, airline, and express stations; coin operated machines; and subscribers' homes.

292.483-010 COIN COLLECTORS collect money from and refill coin-operated amusement-game machines, jukeboxes, telephones and vending machines.

292.463-010 LUNCH-TRUCK DRIVERS drive over regularly scheduled routes selling food specialties, such as sandwiches, box lunches, and beverages, to industrial and office workers, students, and patrons of sporting and public events.

292.667-010 SALES ROUTE DRIVER HELPERS assist Sales Route Drivers by loading and unloading trucks, carrying merchandise from the truck to a customer's home or store, and collecting payments or obtaining receipts.

In addition to these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Driver/Sales Workers receive little direct supervision because of the amount of traveling they do. They are often in contact with current or potential customers. Some Route Workers work with and supervise helpers.

Drivers/Sales Workers drive their vehicles in all types of weather and are subject to the usual driving hazards. Making deliveries might require traveling long distances, especially in rural areas.

They lift and carry merchandise and might walk up and down stairs to make their deliveries. Sometimes trucks have lift gates or two-wheel dollies to make handling products easier.

Driver/Sales Workers may work between 30 and 60 hours per week depending on the employer, the type of product or service, and whether the route traveled is an established one. Some Driver/Sales Workers choose to work extra hours if not prohibited by a union contract. Some may make early morning or night deliveries. Their hours may vary with the season. Often they are required to furnish and wear uniforms. Some employers reimburse Drivers for their uniforms and cleaning expenses. Expenses related to driving private vehicles may also be reimbursed by the employer.

Some Driver/Sales Workers belong to The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America. Many are members of unions representing other workers at their place of employment. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving business contact with people

• Activities of a routine, organized nature

• Activities dealing with things and objects

You Should Be Able To:

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Repeat activities/tasks according to a routine procedure or sequence

• Handle money and make change

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Merchandise purchased by Guton, Inc. had an invoice price of $800 and terms of 2/15, n/30, FOB shipping point. As an accommodation, the seller prepaid shipping charges of $50. If payment is made within the discount period, what would the purchaser's total payment be?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read and comprehend sales terms and procedures, such as FOB, COD, sales invoice, and work order.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written sales invoice upon delivery of merchandise.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail oriented in assessing work specifications and delivering products.

Drivers must be bondable. A chauffeur's license is also required in Michigan for Route Drivers. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and pass a written exam, vision test, and practical driving test. They must not have any condition which may interfere with the reasonable operation of a motor vehicle and not be an alcohol or controlled substance addict. Depending on the size of the company vehicle, some Driver/Sales Workers may need a commercial driver license (CDL) as well as a chauffeur's license. Applicants must complete knowledge and skills tests successfully. Both the CDL and chauffeur's license are available through the Secretary of State. Truck drivers who are involved in the delivery of alcoholic beverages or milk tanks must have special licenses.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

     Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Part-time or summer work as a Route Driver or route helper for retail/wholesale businesses may be available.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Driver/Sales Worker employer

internships

volunteer work with a Driver/Sales Worker employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry into this occupation is applying directly to employers. Assistance in locating a job may be obtained by consulting a local office of Michigan Works! or your school placement office. Job openings are often listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal  

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries of Driver/Sales Workers depend on such factors as geographic location, length of their route, individual selling ability, number and size of accounts, truck size, and union affiliation. Route Workers whose duties also include selling usually receive a base salary plus commission.

Nationally, in 1998, Drivers/Sales Workers had median annual earnings of $27,352 or $13.15 per hour.

Drivers/Sales Workers employed by companies in Southeastern Michigan averaged $12.950 per hour in 1998, with most earning between $11.00 and $15.24.

Some Drivers/Sales Workers may also receive a cost-of-living allowance or carrying allowance for the transport of empty returnable bottles and cans.

Depending on the employer, Drivers/Sales Workers may receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, and hospitalization insurance; and retirement plans. Some may also receive dental insurance. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Drivers/Sales Workers usually learn this occupation through on-the-job training lasting from a few days up to 3 months. A career ladder for Driver/Sales Worker may be: route driver helper or trainee; Driver/Sales Worker; route or sales supervisor.

Advancement opportunities for Drivers/Sales Workers are limited because of the high number of Workers and small number of supervisors. Route workers may advance by driving shorter, more profitable routes or by switching employers or products. Some also change from retail to a wholesale route where earnings are usually higher.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 331,200 Drivers/Sales Workers were employed in 1996. Employment of Drivers/Sales Workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. About 2.8% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Driver/Sales Workers looked like this:

The employment of Route Drivers with sales responsibilities is expected to increase modestly as companies shift sales, ordering, and customer service to sales and office staffs and replace Driver/Sales Workers with Delivery Drivers. However, a number of openings will still become available as workers retire, die, leave the labor force for other reasons, or transfer to other jobs or occupations. The number of openings will vary for the different types of Delivery and Route Workers. For example, because of a high turnover rate for Route Drivers in wholesale trade, more job openings are expected in this industry.

There are approximately 9,175 Drivers/Sales Workers employed in Michigan. Most were employed by wholesale and retail businesses delivering food and related products, general merchandise, alcoholic beverages, and newspapers.

The employment of Drivers/Sales Workers in Michigan is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. About 300 openings are expected each year, with 90 due to growth and 210 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Most opportunities will exist in wholesale routes since employment of retail Route Drivers is expected to decline. Applicants with sales experience and good driving records have the best chance of being hired. The trend in pizza delivery to homes may provide some job opportunities for college students and part-time Workers who have cars. Reduced sales of goods requiring delivery may limit the demand for Drivers during poor economic periods.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development