sales manager

manager

merchandising associate

associate manager

senior manufacturing engineer

Altria

A typical day is visiting 8-10 accounts. Analyze business information pulled prior to visit and notes from previous visits. Then decide a few top priority items to address. Then once in the account I discuss my findings with the owner. I engage them with open ended questions to dig deep and find the root of problems. Lastly we develop a strategy to combat the underlying opportunities and follow up accordingly. 

I have learned through working with this company that every account has different goals, and clientele can be vastly different which drives the purchase power. I also learned that I have to be flexible. I can have an entire day planned but I may get a call that I need to adjust my day to accommodate. I have also learned to keep my integrity when dealing with competition in the market place. Building relationships with my accounts is around listening, trust, respect and being a valuable resource.

Management at Altria is overall great. I have experienced some that are fresh into management and need to learn and grow, but the seasoned management staff is overall supportive. They do seek to help you grow as a valued employee. My co-workers are really a diverse, well-rounded, motivated team. We all have different backgrounds and we allow that to recharge us with unique approaches to business. 

The hardest part of the job is that it isn't always challenging. Being a well educated individual I felt my education wasn't utilized, therefore giving me a lack of job fulfillment. I love to be challenged and learn new things. I did not find that opportunity within the organization.

The most enjoyable part of the job is the relationships that have been built while doing business. From co workers to customers, it is wonderful to connect on different levels. You learn about yourself in those relationships, and grow personally.

Be prepared to get dirty roll up your sleeves as a Sales Manager. The position consists of making 6-8 calls (or visits) per day to convenience & lifestyle stores to sell and merchandise the full portfolio of brands and products offered. It's not a glamorous job and it requires self motivation. 

The reality is that no one sees exactly what you do in a day unless you're based at HQ. If you can get beyond not receiving "atta boys", it really is a great company to work for. Even the most well intentioned manager would have no idea if you had a great selling conversation or overcame a big challenge. 

As a result of not being physically present with your team, the only success metrics are numbers. The number of calls per day, the number of hours you worked, the business metrics for IC (incentive compensation / bonuses). Depending on who your managers are, it could lead to micromanagement. 

The salary and benefits at all levels are fantastic, however, the lucrative bonuses and work autonomy are only at a management level. Upward promotion is difficult but not impossible. The scale tips heavily in the favor of younger or recently hired individuals. If you've been in the same position for more than 2.5 years, you're likely not going to be considered for any other role. 

Most of the people are fantastic and you'll never hear the end of "it's the people".

Although, they do encourage you participate in "stretch" roles which consists of 2-6 month projects on larger initiatives. It's a double edged sword to take on these extra duties. You truly do come out with experience and cross functional relationships, however, the ultimate goal is for you to contribute 110% at your current salary base. Many who take on these roles are hoping for a promotion or other opportunities but the company doesn't have the same amount of roles to offer outside of the SM position. 

Ever wonder what goes on behind those gates you see off Interstate 95? What use to be the premier production job is now a plantation simply moved in doors. We're under seige, new management has taken over with the mindset of doing WAY more with WAY less!!! A subjective set of rules for associates, enforced at the will of the powers that be, only used to get rid of tenured associates and/or "troubled" associates. What is good for one should be good for all, but it all depends on whose set of eyes are being used at the time. I 100% agree that trimming the fat is always in the best interest of the company and ultimately for the associates. However, when what was 1 job less than 7 years ago and not results driven, paid more and had less demands (physically and mentally) now encompasses 3 times as much, pays less, purely results driven and physically and mentally exhausting - you have to wonder what rights are being violated to make this possible. This is a unionized environment but you would never know as jobs are created and modified at will, with out any intervention from Union "officials". When you question changes your labled as a "trouble maker" and ostracized. You feel your opinion, background, senority and quality of work you produce would hold some type of merit when it comes to decisions that effect the job you perform, but it only equals to fuel for the fire when it comes time to pick a new bullseye. As an associate your asked to embrace change, but when it comes in the form of being pushed beyond your physical and mental limits, risking your well being and sacraficing the quality of the work your producing one wonders is it worth it.

This job was not what was sold to me during the interview process. This is a merchandising role with micromanagement from the top down.

Management does nothing but so called office work and teams' calls. When management does leave the office to spend time with their subordinates, it's a day of being picky for the smallest missed activity.

Management also has their clicks and uses those salespeople to try and get information about other salespeople.

When you're out with your manager and you debrief at the end of the day, what is said in the car is completely different than what is written on the days report that is submitted into the system.

I have never worked with a company that everything is forced, even up to the volunteering once or twice a year. I agree with volunteering and love doing it but for them to make you do it by selling it as optional is what this company is all about.

If you are liked, when you go on vacation or if you're out sick, management will assign someone to help with your workload, if you're not liked, they will not help at all.

Finally, they need to realize that not everyone learns at the same pace, they need to adjust to each and every individual separately.

Altria from the start sets you up for failure unless you are one of the favorites who complain, the manager will crumble to their complaints.

Would not recommend anyone starting their career here! It is a dying industry; they are laying off people left and right and the sales teams are targeted for a reduction in force if they are not liked.

STAY AWAY!!!



My time at Altria, specifically on the PM USA Brand Team, has been a huge learning experience and a great place to start a career. The company values its employees and makes great efforts to improve the culture each year. 

That being said it is sometimes frustrating when ideas from the "bottom" are overruled by upper management because of sheer positional power. The company is trying to make a cultural shift to change this, but as with all large corporations, it will take time.

Personal Development is extremely valued at the company and there are countless opportunities for employees to gain experience outside of their individual roles through speaker series, functional rotations and employee resource groups. Feedback and performance reviews are held in high esteem and really help to track against personal and organizational milestones.

The day to day work in the brand department is exciting and challenging and there are rarely days where you are confined to a cubicle. The most enjoyable part of the job are the people and the sense of teamwork and inclusion that I feel amongst my co-workers. In addition, I greatly appreciate the autonomy given to even entry-level employees. It shows that the company trusts its employees and allows for greater development and leadership potential at any level in the organization.

Every day was an adventure at Altria—you never knew what you were walking into. Working for a Fortune 10 corporation provided enough manageable challenges each day for daily growth. By the time I left 13 years after I started, I felt like I could work and succeed in any large corporation. Managers at all levels—including the CEO—were available, knowledgeable, and quick to help at any (reasonable) time. Work/Life Balance was extremely important. In fact, if you missed your child's game or recital because of work, you would be given a warning—family life is as important as work life. The hardest part of the job was leaving at the end of the day—not because you had to stay, but because you wanted to stay. When you're given everything you need to do your job, you find it difficult to find a stopping point. The most enjoyable part of the job was working with great people—teamwork was organic, not forced. You never had to compete with co-workers for promotions. The company was very generous with stock, bonuses, and raises. In the end, the company was moving to Switzerland. So instead of being told at the last minute, we were given 2 full years notice. And if you had enough time in the company, you were given up to a year of severance and outplacement. I can't say anything bad about this company, and I'd gladly return if the opportunity presented itself.

This for USST, their parent company is ALTRIA.

Utility Techs learn all the jobs in their department. Some jobs require more time to train than others depending on their importance in the process. 

If you like coming into work knowing what you're going to do every day, this isn't the job for you. Find another position.

Management: You have leads and BUL's (supervisor). Then you have your manager of the department. There are a few good BUL's but most of them along with leads will throw you under the bus in a heartbeat. Its always going to be your fault something messes up. The first question is always "what did you do?"

They made a bad call and it backfired? Still your fault. ZERO accountability from leadership. Production is the only thing they care about. This plant runs like its always behind schedule. 

Remember this saying "We don't make sense, we make tobacco."

There are good people there. But majority are the laziest people i have ever seen. The longer someone's been there, the lazier.

Culture: Stick to yourself or a small group of trusted individuals and you will be fine. Other than that, you have middle aged men and women who are drama kings/queens. 

You are compensated well for your job, i will say that. Unfortunately Tobacco is a dying industry
and our hours have reflected that lately.

A typical work day includes servicing about 8 retail accounts on a daily basis located within my territory, Virginia Beach, VA. These retail accounts include chains, independents, and wholesalers, but mainly convenience stores. While in a store, it is my job to provide tobacco category consulting through use of consumer insights and market data to maximize business results and close distribution gaps. In this position I have learned excellent communication skills, time management skills, and independence within my role. My management is only with me one day out of the month, to assess my actions and delivery in retail accounts. I see my co-workers once a month as well when we have a monthly "unit meeting" to discuss the month's current initiatives, new product launches, etc. The hardest part about the job is that it can become quite lonely, and you often feel like you are by yourself on an island; I wish there was a stronger company culture. The most enjoyable part of the job is the feeling of accomplishment when you exceed targets on new product distributions, seasonal sale initiatives, etc.

I worked at Altria Group Distribution Company for nearly eight years, advancing from Territory Sales Manager. The company offers excellent benefits — healthcare, retirement, and performance bonuses are all strong. Pay is competitive, and the structured training programs are thorough.

That said, the corporate culture can feel toxic and overly bureaucratic. There’s a strong emphasis on rigid processes and top-down directive (the president literally looks at daily store visits of reps) which often leaves little room for creativity or real autonomy in decision-making. Even in hybrid roles, micromanagement and outdated “corporate-first” mentalities sometimes overshadow genuine collaboration and innovation. 

You are and expendable cog in a corporate wheel. Even with great performance you can still be let go with little to no valid reasons why. 

If you’re someone who thrives in a traditional Fortune 500 structure and is comfortable operating under strict playbooks, you may find it a solid fit. But for those who value flexibility, forward-thinking leadership, or a modern work culture, it can be a tough environment.

Great first sales job.  Decent training in the beginning. After the first few years, be prepared for the boredom and complete lack of energy and nuance with management. Any decent managers get pushed out or promoted within 17 months. Zero loyalty for experienced employees.   Zero new ideas allowed and the glad handing and back patting is non stop.  Either you are the golden child or you are one step away from being offered separation. We watched the worst of us get promoted twice in a 3 month period because the correct words were said at a quarterly meeting.  
All in all, its just the same "good ol boys" club corporate mentality. The expectation is to eat like a bird and produce like an elephant.  If you can stomach it, its not a bad place to work. If not, you can find much better places to work for your soul. No pun intended. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Sales manager 145 salaries reported	$87,159 per year
Manager 6 salaries reported	$137,433 per year
Merchandising associate 25 salaries reported	$50,720 per year
Associate manager 10 salaries reported	$125,020 per year
Senior manufacturing engineer 26 salaries reported	$111,050 per year

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