Drinking Water Service Manager
Culligan Midwest · Olathe, KS, US ·
- Employment
- Full time
- Category
- Management
- Experience
- 3+ years
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Employee discounts
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
- Wellness resources
Drinking Water Service & Sales Manager
Department: Drinking Water Operations
Reports To: Director of Operations
Direct Reports: 5–6 Delivery Drivers
Territory: Kansas City Metro · Topeka · Saint Joseph
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Commission & Performance Bonus
Reports To: Director of Operations
Direct Reports: 5–6 Delivery Drivers
Territory: Kansas City Metro · Topeka · Saint Joseph
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Commission & Performance Bonus
Position Summary
The Drinking Water Service & Sales Manager is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of Culligan's drinking water delivery operations across three territories: Kansas City Metro, Topeka, and Saint Joseph. This role oversees a team of 5–6 delivery drivers and is accountable for route efficiency, service quality, driver development and retention, customer satisfaction, and organic revenue growth.
The Manager is expected to exercise sound judgment in positioning themselves where they are needed most — whether that means riding routes, solving problems in the field, or managing from the office — while also carrying responsibility for growing the customer base through upselling, retention, referrals, and new account acquisition.
This is a management role first. The ideal candidate is a proven frontline leader who can build a high-trust, high-accountability team culture, install structure and discipline into route operations, and drive a sales mindset across their team.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Driver Development (Primary)
- Directly supervise, coach, and develop a team of 5–6 drinking water delivery drivers across three territories.
- Conduct regular ride-alongs, one-on-ones, and performance check-ins to reinforce standards and develop individual capability.
- Lead onboarding and training for new drivers; build and maintain a skills development framework.
- Foster a team culture grounded in accountability, safety, customer service, and continuous improvement.
- Manage driver scheduling, time-off requests, and coverage planning across all three service areas.
- Address performance issues promptly and professionally, in coordination with HR when appropriate.
Route Operations & Efficiency
- Own the performance of all drinking water routes — on-time delivery, stop completion rates, and customer satisfaction.
- Identify and implement route optimization opportunities to reduce cost-per-stop and improve driver productivity.
- Monitor daily operational metrics and identify trends requiring corrective action.
- Coordinate with the warehouse and customer service teams to ensure accurate loads, inventory levels, and customer account data.
- Fill in on routes and assist drivers as needed.
- Ensure fleet vehicles are maintained, inspected, and operated in compliance with company and DOT standards.
Sales & Revenue Growth
- Establish and lead a sales culture within the driver team — equip and motivate drivers to identify upsell and referral opportunities on every stop.
- Personally manage key account relationships and serve as an escalation point for high-value or at-risk customers.
- Identify and pursue new residential and commercial account opportunities within the territory.
- Drive customer retention through proactive outreach, service recovery, and relationship management.
- Track and report on revenue growth, churn, and upsell performance against defined targets.
- Collaborate with the broader sales team to convert leads and close new drinking water accounts.
Reporting & Communication
- Provide regular operational updates to the Director of Operations, including route performance, staffing, and revenue metrics.
- Maintain accurate records in company systems (ServiceTitan) for route activity, customer accounts, and driver performance.
- Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to cross-functional planning for service delivery.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of company operations and objectives.
First 90-Day Priorities
- Learn the routes, the customers, and the team — build trust through presence, consistency, and follow-through.
- Assess current route efficiency and identify the top 3–5 quick-win optimization opportunities.
- Establish a regular cadence of driver check-ins and ride-alongs across all three territories.
- Identify at-risk drivers and develop individual retention and engagement plans.
- Stand up a simple sales tracking process and begin coaching drivers on customer-facing upsell behaviors.
Qualifications
Required
- 3+ years of experience managing a frontline team in a route-based, field service, or distribution environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and retain hourly employees.
- Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to manage across multiple locations.
- Valid driver's license with a clean driving record; ability and willingness to drive routes as needed.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable learning operations management software.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — written and verbal.
Preferred
- Experience in the drinking water, beverage delivery, or water treatment industry.
- Prior experience in a player-coach or working manager role.
- Sales experience with demonstrated results in upselling, account retention, or new customer acquisition.
- Familiarity with route management or field service platforms (e.g., ServiceTitan).
- Experience managing employees across multiple geographic locations.
Compensation & Benefits
Culligan Water of Kansas City offers a competitive compensation package designed to reward performance and recognize the impact of this role on the business.
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
- Commission structure tied to territory revenue growth and new account acquisition.
- Performance bonus based on operational and team metrics.
- Company vehicle or vehicle allowance for territory travel.
- Company-issued mobile phone.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid time off and company holidays.
- Opportunity for advancement in a growing, family-owned regional business.
About Culligan Water of Kansas City
Culligan Water of Kansas City (Enrec Enterprises & Subsidiaries) is a family-owned Culligan franchise serving more than 40,000 customers across the Kansas City Metro, Topeka, and Saint Joseph areas. With approximately 68 employees, we provide residential and commercial water treatment, softening, and drinking water delivery services. We are growing, and we are investing in the people and systems that will carry us forward.
Culligan Water of Kansas City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.