truck driver

warehouse associate

inside sales representative

delivery helper

loader

Beacon Building Products

For those not wanting to read my entire review, the short version is don’t waste your time if you want a career. If you are new to the industry try it out for a year or two, then move on. This company will chew you up and spit you out. 

I started working for Beacon Roofing Supply in 2018. I was hired as a roof stocker, and after about two months was “promoted” to warehouse lead. Stocking roofs consists of loading shingles onto a delivery truck and driving out to the job site. Once there, you climb onto the roof and the driver either sends the shingles up on a conveyor or lifts a pallet up to you with a crane. The work is monotonous, exhausting, and made difficult by steeper pitched roofs. Many roof stockers burn out from the fatigue and unsafe situations management constantly puts you in. Beacon preaches the safety of employees yet at the branch level they would rather “just get the job done”. 

When I worked as a warehouse lead, my day consisted of pulling delivery orders, handling shipping/receiving, assisting walk-in customers, stocking the warehouse, and counting inventory...then counting the inventory again. At my specific branch, I primarily worked in the siding warehouse. (Roofing and siding is divided into two separate warehouses at my branch). My warehouse was seemingly more busy. In addition to pulling delivery orders and helping customers, every single incoming shipment came to my yard to be unloaded. A common scene was a semi truck waiting to be unloaded, one or two customers waiting for their material, and a order in the process of being pulled, all happening simultaneously. This was all to be accomplished by one employee. Myself, my predecessors, and my direct supervisor all agreed that my particular warehouse needed two people to operate efficiently during the busy season. (Spring through fall). Despite this, that request either fell on deaf ears, or false promises were made by branch management . 

Which brings me to my next point. Management is full of empty promises. Being as this is such a large publicly traded company, the goal is to appease the stockholders. Money is always an issue. There is always talk of hiring the right amount of staff for the job. In reality, there is a skeleton crew to run the operations portion of the branch. Beacon promises new equipment and trucks, no, it’s used hand me downs from another branch. The irritating thing is the management will always promise it will improve, yet when I was there I worked through two separate reductions in staff, a plan to revamp my warehouse with new shelving that fell through, and constant equipment breakdowns.

The final point I wish to touch on is the company doesn’t care one iota about the employees. You get heckled for taking a vacation or being ill during the busy season, they alter the schedule, (make you work Saturdays), because the company didn’t hit budget, have you work sun-up to sun-down...and then add one more delivery because it MUST GET OUT TODAY, they let customers treat you like garbage, and many times you’re on your own to haggle for a raise. Additionally, they don’t value their good employees. At the end of the day you are just a number in their payroll. Certain individuals in management have no reason to be there, other than knowing someone higher up the corporate ladder. Some branch leadership members are incompetent and make errors that you will either be thrown under the bus for, or forced to clean up the resulting mess. 

I wouldn’t recommend working for this company, it is not worth the stress and frustration. Career growth is limited, and if you work hard you are just asked to work harder. I consider myself a hard working employee, and was fairly well liked by my coworkers and a few of my managers I got to know. Despite this, the constant grind of this company wore me down. I am grateful to have worked with and met the awesome coworkers and managers I still keep in touch with, but am ultimately glad I moved on. This is a good entry level job to get into the building supply industry, but not a company I would recommend making a career out of. 


 

**Beacon Building Products Sales Associate Review**

Working at Beacon Building Products as a Sales Associate has been a valuable experience, particularly if you're interested in the construction industry. The role involves selling a variety of construction products to local contractors, which can be rewarding if you enjoy building relationships and providing solutions to customers.

**Pros:**
1. **Industry Experience:** You'll gain a solid understanding of the construction industry, including knowledge of building materials and the needs of contractors.
2. **Customer Interaction:** If you enjoy working with people, this job allows you to build and maintain relationships with local contractors, which can be very fulfilling.
3. **Training and Support:** Beacon offers good training programs, so you’re well-equipped to understand the products and how to sell them effectively.
4. **Team Environment:** The work environment is typically collaborative, with supportive colleagues and management who are often willing to help you succeed.

**Cons:**
1. **Challenging Sales Goals:** Like many sales roles, the targets can be challenging, and there is pressure to meet quotas, which might be stressful at times.
2. **Physical Demands:** The job can be physically demanding, especially if you’re working with heavy materials or assisting customers with loading.
3. **Fluctuating Market:** The construction industry can be cyclical, and your success might be affected by market conditions beyond your control.
4. **Compensation Structure:** The pay is competitive, but like most sales roles, it’s often commission-based, which means income can vary.

Overall, if you’re motivated by sales and have an interest in construction, working as a Sales Associate at Beacon Building Products can be a solid career move. However, be prepared for the challenges that come with meeting sales targets and the physical demands of the job.

I enjoy going to work.  Satisfaction varies branch to branch.  Every branch has a different set of problems.  But a common problem seems to be lack of coverage during call-offs.  Beacon runs on skeleton crews.  When one or two people call off, it can throw a wrench into the system.

Pay is fair.  Benefits are broad.  But they aren't cheap which makes them not great.  401k match could be better.  For being a Fortune 500 company, I would imagine it would be better.  

It is a lot of dealing with customers.  Knowledge in the roofing industry helps but is not required.  

Management is different per branch, but most managers are understanding and good people.  

The hardest part would be the stress the lack of support employees.  There is not much redundancy.  Schedule vacations can be an issue.  Call offs are a bigger issue.  But when everyone shows up, the job is not hard.  

The most enjoyable part would be helping customers remodel their house.  Most walk in with an idea of what they want and leave with a smile after going through sample boards.

I have learned a lot of the industry and sales in general.  Customer satisfaction is key.  But it should be fair.  It is a two way street.  

Overtime varies per branch, but is generally consistent during the busy season.  Drivers can get more than anyone else.  

PTO is rather generous early on.   Vast support system if you are willing to learn about the industry.  Can easily find a job within the company local or another state.  

Pros: Work life balance is decent. You have a lot of time off especially if you have put in the time.

Cons: HR is a joke. Never go to HR with anything. Management is also sub-par at best. They will work you until there is nothing left of you. Gotta love places that have people quitting and dump the work on others rather than hire people. The culture is very "Bro" and "Clique". If you're not all about drinking the company Kool-Aid, you won't fit in. It's funny how they preach about on the job safety yet, they have drivers and yard guys coming in an hour earlier just to spend 3 lousy minutes going over safety information that is redundant. How can you care about safety when you mess with people's sleep schedules???? Are you kidding me. They have a guy who is in sales doing safety coordination yet the actually safety coordinator is some guy who barely works. I just feel like job roles are lost. Don't get me started on how awesome it is that some guy in Virginia is in charge of wage increases yet, they don't personally know the work you put in. And if you're a person that works their face off, you will make just as much as some lazy co-workers... they do not value people that actually show up on time versus those that miss work often. The medical benefits they use are awful. I come to work everyday hating life. When this place was Midway Wholesale, it was great.

Pros:  Work life balance is decent. You have a lot of time off especially if you have put in the time.

Cons:  HR is a joke.  Never go to HR with anything.  Management is also sub-par at best.  They will work you until there is nothing left of you.  Gotta love places that have people quitting and dump the work on others rather than hire people.  The culture is very "Bro" and "Clique".  If you're not all about drinking  the company Kool-Aid, you won't fit in.  It's funny how they preach about on the job safety yet, they have drivers and yard guys coming in an hour earlier just to spend 3 lousy minutes going over safety information that is redundant.  How can you care about safety when you mess with people's sleep schedules???? Are you kidding me.  They have a guy who is in sales doing safety coordination yet the actually safety coordinator is some guy who barely works. I just feel like job roles are lost. Don't get me started on  how awesome it is that some guy in Virginia is in charge of wage increases yet, they don't personally know the work you put in.  And if you're a person that works their face off, you will make just as much as some lazy co-workers... they do not value people that actually show up on time versus those that miss work often.  The medical benefits they use are awful.  I come to work everyday hating life.  

Beacon is not a horrible place to work. But it is also not a great place either. It is just very middle of the road. The trucks are new, but they're set to economy mode. Which is one of the most frustrating things I've ever experienced in my career. My manager is a decent person, but outside of him, I don't trust or respect very many of the others I've come in contact with. You're VERY micromanaged by people you've never met who know nothing about you or your work ethic or skill level. Lately every move I've made seems to be questioned by said people.  But not questioned directly. I've been told rumors that have been spread about myself, and who the ones "snitching" are. Which for a company that I've felt like an outsider from day one, doesn't make things any better. 

I've certainly had worse jobs I suppose. And it's not the hardest work I've ever had to do. But ive most definitely had much better Jobs as well. I don't feel inspired to go above and beyond. I just want to do the bare minimum and then get out of there as quickly as possible. Which is not always the case for me. It just feels very much like a dead end. One that I want to turn away and move on from. 

In conclusion, it's a huge company, so maybe there are some.good regions and locations. But as for mine, I wouldn't recommend. 

Pay and benefits are decent. Medical was average. Managerment was poor and insufficient. You will have to work long hours and move heavy material by hand, with little to no help. But don't get hurt doing it. Because the manager will throw you under the bus for it. Everyone expect a few people are back stabbers, looking to due you over. You are expected to build, load , deliver, and unload your material. Witch takes time but to them you are still too slow. If an issue arises with a senior co-worker, the manager will side with that co-worker and transfer you with warning. Even if it's a longer commute, no room for advancement unless their want to advance you. Truck dispatching, can't even read a map, let alone get scheduling right. Most of the time you work without take a mandatory 30 min break, and get yelled out for doing so. But the scheduling doesn't let you take a break. I've made deliveries three times at separate times, too the same address in one day because of dispatch. You are a number to them that is all. If something happens to the truck or equipment it's your fault. And you have to deal with the repercussions from the DOT. They won't take responsibility for maintenance or equipment failure.

They have their clicks. Nepotism. You must act like you love EVERYTHING management says. Can't show any kind of initiative or the manager gets offended and is so insecure he thinks you are trying to take over. Branch manager will lie to you. Promise to give a raise and opportunity for advancement. Then no follow through. Will assign tasks that are illegal, then when you get caught, you get wrote up !!!! Snarky snarky snarky!!!!! Management can't handle stress. If you are laid back and have no mind of your own and believe that being a robot or puppet is a great job.....Here ya go...Do not EVER disagree or they will want you gone.. If you like walking on eggshells....Here ya go..Start off nice , then if you don't agree,,They want you gone.. Bad place to work unless you have no initiative and can't do any better. During start of Covid had everybody at 32 hours max..Was turning down business to keep everybody at 32 hours..Crazy business practices. Finally went up to 40, but any time slack would hit..sent you home early. Questioned the Branch manager why we were turning down business to keep at 32 hours...His response ..we must be sensitive to New York and California that wasn't able to work....WHAT ??? My advice....RUN while you can

To start, what you've read about management not caring about safety is a little misleading. They do care about safety, as long as it's following their safety policies that are created by people that have never done this job before and are under-educated about the actual ergonomics of the job. 

Yes, its very demanding physical labor, but thats what the industry is.

The hours are what you make them, people don't seem to understand that.

My direct management is pretty cool. The branch manager does his best to accommodate to employees complaints while trying to follow corporate policy. Making his job nearly impossible. Mad respect.

The older employees here are rather grouchy with the "they don't care so I don't care" mentality.

I enjoy this type of work, I make good money, I work at my pace, and as long as I'm efficient with my deliveries, I have the freedom to take as many breaks as I desire.

Overall this branch has crazy potential with the current management set up. But the company as a whole is just like every other corporate job, the most ridiculous rules/policies with so many inconsistencies.




What is the best part of working at the company?
I really enjoyed working for this company in the beginning but things fell apart some how as a driver we always took the fall for things when a lot of issues could have been addressed from where they started in the yard and not leave all responsibility and consequences on the drivers yes we all play our part but in order to have a fictional business it should stay consistent from office to yard to drivers not the other way around
Best of luck to them hope they can get there house in order….

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Non consistency’s unfortunately 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Depends on dispatchers mood you never know if he is going to blow off the handles when you call in with an issue on a delivery which often times makes you not want to even address the issue and just move on deal with it later which cause deliveries to be wrong a lot of the times

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Well at the end of the day it’s to sun this up but let’s just say most days are worse then others

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 124 salaries reported	$29.35 per hour
Warehouse associate 2 salaries reported	$19.00 per hour
Inside sales representative 35 salaries reported	$25.15 per hour
Delivery helper 2 salaries reported	$19.38 per hour
Loader 3 salaries reported	$21.17 per hour

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