Hiring Stockers & Route Technicians
Mike Hoffmann
Vending Machine Expert
Explore effective strategies for hiring and managing stockers and route technicians to enhance operational efficiency.
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.
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Complete the following exercises:
1. Reflect on your current hiring practices for stockers and route technicians. How might you incorporate a similar structured onboarding process to improve efficiency and accountability in your operations? Consider what changes could be implemented immediately and which might require long-term planning.
2. Design a training module for new hires that covers the essential components of cash and product controls. How would you ensure that new employees can perform these tasks confidently and accurately? Consider incorporating hands-on practice and feedback loops in your training design.
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QUIZ
1. What is a critical component of hiring and managing stockers and route technicians effectively?
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Leave your comments and questions below.
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