I started out as a Part-Time Merchandiser before applying the Full Time Merchandiser (FTM) job. After applying for the job on June 23rd and taking the assessment test, a District Sales Leader (DSL) assigned me to do a ride along with a RSR (Route Sales Representative) in their 18 foot semi truck and would go and service all their assigned stores within the city/zone limit for the whole day (On the 3rd of July). So when you are with the RSR, you observe what they do when they are at each gas station/target/ convenience stores. The RSR will give you some pointers on how to do the job and what to expect from the job. Do not stay on your cell phone all day and act like you can care less, you would not have a follow up interview if the RSR think you would not be suitable for the job. You can give the RSR a hand if you want to learn more and have some 'hands on' experience and get done quicker. After you finished the ride along with the RSR, the DSL would ask him/her if the candidate is qualified for the job, if the RSR says yes, then you made it to the first step.
After that, two DSLs would lead you to a conference room and they would start the interview. They both have a packet with them and it has interview questions: Why Frito Lay? Tell me a time when you help out on a customer till they were satisfied. Please note, they do warn you that when you answer their questions, there would be awkward silences as they write down your answer on their packet word by word so there is a 1-2 minute of silence between each question.
You would get a call in about two weeks if you get the second interview (mine was on July 11th). You would get a call saying the Sale Zone Director would like to have an interview with you. You agreed on a time and come to the interview with a shirt and tie. When you have the second interview, make sure you answer the same questions as you did with the first interview. The interviewer will also have your answers in front of you and instead of asking the same question, they would look it over and comment on it, e.g. "I see that you have experience in this field", and you should know what to do from there. After the interview, they would tell you that they would call you within two weeks if you got the job (I was notified on July 18th). After they tell you that you have been hired, the call ask you to meet with them so you can grab the drug test form that is already paid for, and will send you the designated location to get your required drug test (they pull out strings of your hair, not pee in the cup, just so you have been forewarned!) If you pass the drug test, you would have a class session among with other hired candidates. The Drug takes at most two days to get the results back.
During the group session, the Sales Associate Zone Assistant is the instructor. Now, you have to go through a lot of process: You and among other hired candidates have to do a lot of paper work, union paperwork, your required iphone 4s to clock in your hours, how to clock in your hours, mileage, your field trip requirement (You will be compensated for everything in the field trip:contracts, talk about benefits, etc. After the session is over, they would give you information about your trainer for the first two weeks of training. During week one and week two, your trainer will evaluate on your performance and improvement. At the end of the second week, a DSL would certified you. Then it's the field trip requirement! After that following week, you are in your assigned route all on your own. So from Applying from June 23rd to start my training on July 27th, then going to a field trip from August 11th-15th, then officially having an assigned Merchandising route on the week of August 17th, it takes about a month to start your training after applying and being interviewed, then 3 weeks of training, it takes a LONG time for all that to process out.
