Occupational Profile

istockphoto/Andrey Popov

Vending Machine Route Worker

Vending machine route workers fill, clean and maintain vending machines that dispense change or products in places such as offices, schools and hotels.

Avg. Salary $39,249.00
Avg. Wage $20.18
Minimum Education High school diploma
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Also Known As

Coin Operated Machine Stocker, Customer Service Representative

NOC & Interest Codes

The Vending Machine Route Worker is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Delivery and Courier Service Drivers NOC 7414

Delivery and Courier Service Drivers

NOC code: 7414

METHODICAL: Interest in copying to record information on pick-ups and deliveries, vehicle mileage, fuel costs and any problems; and in performing pre-trip inspections of vehicles
OBJECTIVE: Interest in driving automobiles, vans and light trucks
social: Interest in speaking to customers to sell products over established routes and accept and make payments for goods; may communicate with central dispatchers using cellular telephones and citizen's band (CB) radios

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

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Duties

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Vending machine route workers usually visit machines in 10 to 20 locations each day. They may have a set route or plan their own routes.

Duties and responsibilities may vary from 1 company to another but, in general, vending machine route workers:

load supplies in a vehicle such as a van or light truck
drive to vending machine locations
open and refill machines
change product labels if necessary
collect money, ensure machines are locked and float bags for coin machines are balanced
record the amount of money collected and stock required to refill machines, or download this information into hand held devices
ensure that machines are clean and in good working order
ensure product dates and health codes are adhered to
establish and maintain good customer relations with business owners and operators
report damage to machines
make minor repairs and report broken machines.

They also may deliver and install machines that do not require special electrical or plumbing connections.

Working Conditions

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Vending machine route workers drive in all types of weather conditions but spend most of their time indoors servicing machines. They usually work shifts from early morning to mid-afternoon. They may work weekends and holidays or be on call. Overtime may be required during busy periods or when driving conditions are poor. In rural areas, long distance travel may be required.

Vending machines are usually exposed to pedestrian traffic and working conditions around them often are cramped. The work is physically demanding. Vending machine route workers routinely lift and carry supplies that may weigh up to 20 kilograms, and bend and stoop to load machines.

Personal protective equipment such as steel-toed boots may be required.

Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Vending machine route workers need the following characteristics:

honest and reliable
physically fit
able to work with little supervision
well groomed (to present a positive image of their company)
able to establish and maintain good customer relations
aware of security and safety issues.

They should enjoy driving, keeping records and talking to people.

Educational Requirements

Updated Dec 19, 2016

There are no standard education requirements for vending machine route workers. Employers generally require applicants to:

have a valid driver's license and a good driving record
be bondable (acceptable to bonding companies as responsible, law-abiding people)
have at least Grade 10 education and math skills.

Employers may prefer to hire high school graduates who are familiar with hand held technology, have training related to computers or electronics, or have experience related to inventory management.

A Construction Safety Training System certificate and private site-specific training may be required to gain access to vending machines on some construction sites.

Vending machine route workers are trained on the job.

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Employment & Advancement

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Vending machine route workers are employed by vending machine companies and food and beverage manufacturers.

Experienced route workers may move into vending machine repair or supervisory positions. For more information, see the Vending Machine Technician occupational profile.

Vending machine route workers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7514: Delivery and courier service drivers. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
size of the occupation.

Over 9,300 Albertans are employed in the Delivery and courier service drivers occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 177 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As vending machine route workers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for vending machine route workers.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary

Updated Dec 19, 2016

Vending machine route workers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7514: Delivery and courier service drivers.

According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Delivery and courier service drivers occupational group earned on average from $17.49 to $22.81 an hour. The overall average wage was $20.18 an hour. For more information, see the Delivery and courier service drivers wage profile.

Related High School Subjects

Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
- Logistics
- Mechanics