Steve Jenkins is the kind of route driver that operators want to have if they are hoping to transition to using new technology.
Jenkins, the 2011 Route Driver of the Year, sponsored by Automatic Merchandiser and Kraft Vending & OCS, stands out from the crowd for his positive attitude, dedication to excellence on the route and leadership qualities.
He was choosen from other 2011 quarterly finalist who were nominated online. The selections are based on comments and a numerical score in areas such as: years as a driver, number of machines serviced, miles traveled, accidents, truck/machine condition, and sales.
Jenkins dreamed of becoming a vending operator while working for UPS. When an opening became available at Midlantic, Jenkins jumped at the chance and has been a route driver at the company for six years.
"I work with a great bunch of guys, so that makes it easy to go to work," said Jenkins. And Jenkins loves making his customers happy with clean, well stocked vending equipment. "I'm sort of OCD," said Jenkins, "so everything I do has to be perfect in my eyes or I can't walk away from it."
Jenkins has noticed the industry changing, even over six years. When he first started there weren't any credit card readers on the machines he serviced. By 2011, at least half of the machines had them. He's also seen a number of bill recyclers installed. "We're using them…it's a great thing."
The selection of healthier foods has progressively grown as well, noted Jenkins, whether it's fat free ice cream or organic products. "There's a lot more 'healthier' selections out there," he said.
What's most outstanding about Jenkins is his desire to learn every facet of the industry. "I love the opportunity I've been given at Midlantic," he said. "It's the opportunity to learn the industry…that's exciting me. You can never learn too much."
His desire to learn hasn't gone unnoticed by his managers. When the company decided to install 1,000 remote machine monitoring units and 300 cashless units in three months, Jenkins stepped up to take a leadership role. He worked weekends and after his normal route duties to assist in installing units and training others to do so.
"It has been a tremendous help to the company and most importantly has set a great leadership example to the rest of the staff, " said Alan Drazen, vice president of Midlantic and the person who originally nominated Jenkins. " With little outside help this (was) a huge task."
Jenkins continues to shine as a route driver even after being recognized by Midlantic Vending in 2009 as Employee Of the Year, and then by Automatic Merchandiser in 2011 as one of the quarterly route driver winners. Awards aren't his goal. Instead, he wants to be the best he can be, an asset to the company and the industry.
