Vending machine operative Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Vending machine operatives fill, clean and maintain machines that carry goods such as cigarettes, confectionery, drinks and packaged snacks. Some digital vending machines also offer games, ring tones, logos and pictures for mobile phones.

As a vending machine operative working for a local company, you could be responsible for maintaining around 100 machines. With a national firm, you may cover a large area and have responsibility for thousands of machines. Your employer would usually supply a van.

Your duties would include:

• refilling machines
• collecting money that has been deposited
• cleaning vending machines
• making sure all machines are in good working order
• fixing minor faults
• calling out service engineers to make the repairs.

You may have a set route for the day or plan your own route, visiting between 10 and 20 sites in your designated area.

Hours

You would typically start a shift at around 6am and finish around 3pm. Overtime and part-time hours may also be available.

You may need to work weekends and be on call. You will spend most of your time indoors on customers’ premises, and travelling between sites.

Income

Vending machine operatives can earn between around £12,000 and £17,500 a year, depending on the location and level of responsibility of the job role.

Figures are intended as a guideline only

Entry requirements

You will not usually need specific qualifications to start work as a vending machine operative, however, a good general education may be preferred by employers. GCSE grades A-E can be useful, especially in English, maths or science. Knowledge of basic mechanical and electrical engineering would also be helpful.

You need a reasonable level of physical fitness to carry out this work. You will also need a current clean driving licence for travelling between clients and sites.

Training and development

You will usually receive on-the-job training from your employer, covering areas such as:

• an introduction to vending machinery
• health and safety
• hygiene
• stock control
• record keeping
• merchandising
• customer care
• use of communication equipment
• security.

You could go on to work towards a NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Drinks Dispense Systems (Installation and Maintenance).

The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) provides materials to members to help with professional development in areas such as hygiene, cleaning, health and safety.

Skills and knowledge

• the ability to work on your own initiative
• a responsible attitude to work
• reliable and trustworthy
• the ability to maintain accurate records
• an awareness of security issues and health and safety.

More information

Automatic Vending Association
1 Villiers Court
Upper Mullgrave Road
Cheam
Surrey
SM2 7AJ
Tel: 020 8661 1112
www.ava-vending.co.uk

Opportunities

You could find jobs advertised in the local press, through Jobcentre Plus offices and on Directgov (Jobseekers page).

• Directgov - (Jobseekers page)

With experience, you could progress to a supervisor or manager post.