Hiring Stockers & Route Technicians
Mike Hoffmann
Vending Machine Expert
Explore the essentials of hiring and managing stockers and route technicians for optimal efficiency and profitability.
Operator Training & Accountability
This lesson explains how Mike buys back his time by building a high-performance team, paying for results, and enforcing accountability through systems—not guesswork.
Pay Structure & Role Definition
New hires start at $15/hour and move up after 90 days of reliable performance.
Mileage is paid at $0.50/mile plus compensation for loading time.
Upside incentives include route profit share and micro equity for A-players to retain top talent.
Training Timeline & Targets
Week 1 is a strict playbook. Day 0: paperwork, background check, and logins.
Days 1–2: ride-alongs covering FIFO, cleaning, temp logs, before/after photos.
Days 3–5: training on telemetry alerts, cash pulls, spiral fixes, solo audit run, and toolkit issued.
Systems of Trust & Performance Bonuses
Stock and cash duties are split; Mike reviews reconciliation weekly.
Barcode scans, photo proof, tamper bags, and deposit slips ensure inventory and cash match.
Bonuses: $100/month for <2% stockouts with clean audits; $50/month if shrink <3% at camera sites. Quarterly reviews unlock additional profit share.
*****
Complete the following exercises:
1. Reflect on a situation where you had to manage or be part of a team with clear targets and accountability. How did clear communication and incentives impact the team's performance? Consider how similar strategies could be applied in managing stockers and route technicians.
2. Try designing a simple onboarding playbook for a new role in your current or past job. Include key training topics, systems to learn, and performance metrics to be achieved in the first week. This exercise helps in understanding the importance of structured training and performance expectations.
*****
QUIZ
1. What is a key component of the compensation strategy for stockers and route technicians?
*****
Leave your comments and questions below.
*****