account executive

project manager

account coordinator

forklift operator

sales director

Berlin Packaging

I was recruited away from a fortune 500 for better pay and an in-office experience, but there were many red flags early and often—even before starting.  First and foremost, the other demand planner I was to work with disappeared on my 5th day, not to be replaced.  I was hired to help improve S&OP processes, but the team preferred to stay mired in their “playbook” that functioned more to check boxes than to actually accomplish much.  I pitched ideas and ready-to-go formats that were well-received by leadership but took 15+ months to implement by IT (past my last day).  Berlin uses a dated ERP system (Peoplesoft) and in my tenure they switched from a fully functioning/customizable Qlik reporting system to a rigid, locked-down, unable-to-be-customized instance of Power BI (it’s bad).  I was transparent with management needing better tools since I was overworked, and was told “we hear you”.  I was eventually given “help” in the form of another overworked planner, who negligently deleted ALL local demand forecasts and botched their part of the recovery.  Once management pushed that planner to another region-- with kudos-- and gave me the other half of the local portfolio (double the work from date of hire), I knew it was time to quit.  I really wanted this place to work out.

Start working at 8:30. Piece Work so you have to wait for them to bring you work on a pallet sometimes taking more time than necessary witch on some days interferes with us making quota, because every time we finish a pallet we have to wait for them to bring us another and when there is seven to eight people working and waiting during the course of the day that wait time adds up for a loss in productivity that a Piece Worker can't afford.
Then there is the big problem that causes problems between co-workers. They manipulate the work that we receive in the favor of a few of their favorite or selected workers. The pallets that they bring to us pay different amounts, some better than others.
It was not a fun place to work for me, but I needed it to be a fair place to work more.
I learned how to use a lot of different tools for packing and assembling products.
Management are from time to time unfair and biased, making decisions by hearsay and innuendo. They also try to bully you by bringing you the more difficult time stacked pallets that keep you tied up and unable to earn a decent amount per day and or make quota.
I liked my co-workers very much and i'm still good friends with them.
Hardest part of the job was dealing with unfair and suspiciously bias supervisor and manager, and having very sore hands at the end of the day. Most enjoyable part of the job was helping my co-workers meet their goals, free lunch first Friday, and getting out of there at the end of the day without and petty manufactured bull from management.

I worked at Berlin Packaging for over 8 years. In the beginning it was a wonderful place to be before management changed.  I stayed as long as I did with hopes things could/would improve. 

This company isn't focused on honesty, integrity or improvements. The values are simple words on paper and not actively practiced by upper management.  If you are not in the right "circle" things can be made difficult for you. Berlin has a very manipulative and stress filled environment. I originally thought this was a local issue only and that Andrew Berlin was not made aware. I was later proved wrong. I've had direct communications with Andrew about the issues along with other colleagues while employed there. I also expressed more details on my exit interview when I left, as did the others. (others = 60% of the staff that left the company) As of 2017 changes still have not been made.  

When reading this, Please note that I am not a disgruntled employee. I left Berlin on great terms. I desire for them to be a great company once again. Honesty, integrity and change is the only way to get there. 

Until that point is reached, I wouldn't want anyone to be sold on bells and whistles that are simply not true. 

Hope you find this information helpful. 
Best wishes.

Overall Berlin's corporate culture is attractive. The CEO stands for a family atmosphere that nurtures healthy competition. The break down comes as each branch operates as its own independent unit with little help from the corporate arm. In my experience, this company is a great learning place for someone starting out in their career especially on the operations side. The business is large and the staff is lean so it drives everyone to think and work outside their comfort zone. The down side to this is that it is not sustainable for a long time. If corporate could find a way to drive each branch's management to operate in a way that honors the corporations mission, Berlin would be a great place to build a career.

Work loads are heavy and the environment is very fast-paced and result oriented. Some flexibility with schedules and vacation time. Benefits are pretty standard and they offer a 401k match.

The first few years working for Berlin Packaging were amazing. Them they started to bring in new managers that treated this like a dictatorship and were only worried about you fattening their wallets. If you value what you put into your work, go elsewhere!!! They offer bonuses but you get your cut after they payout to all of the people that had NOTHING to do with making the company profitable. The only positive are the other employees you work with, there are VERY FEW, maybe one person from management that you can trust. Be warned that management protects certain people no matter how many times they screw up but are swift to terminate your position over something minor. You have been warned, oh ya, HR cannot be trusted!!! This is a snake pit!!!

Berlin is a fast-paced and forward thinking company with a great employee focused culture.  Every day is fun and exciting, and it's inspiring to be able to work with fellow employees who care about the work they do and the value they provide to our customers.

The leadership is involved and approachable and the benefits are fantastic - competitive base salary + bonus opportunities along with medical, dental, 401k + company match, wellness programming, tuition reimbursement and fitness reimbursement. 

It is a fast-paced operation with lots of support provided to the Sales Reps at all locations - but overall, it's a team environment that celebrates everyone's success.  High expectations - but high rewards that go along with it.

Stay away from this company if you can, they do not want to help anyone improve or go into another position but then in the same breath tell you to ask about them and do nothing. Management is truly a mess and they seem to get on anyone for any little thing in the production room. Dont even glance at your phone or tap your watch. 

They treat everyone like a child it seems like and wont let you talk to anyone else much other than who is on your line. Dont even think about having your partner work there because couples cant work together for some reason. 

This place is honestly and joke and i surely cant wait for the time im able to get out of here

The job is easy and the work isnt hard but the non motivating Management does not make this a place i look forward to going to each morning

This position was a good fit for me to figure out what I wanted out of corporate America. I quickly found that I prefer to work under leadership that promotes talent growth as well as supports growth individually. A typical day at work involves lots of complaining, lots of brainstorming and slow reaction. Management consists of outdated performers who are stuck in a mind frame that the old way of doing things is best for the company even though the company has grown tremendously and has outgrown manual business practices. The hardest part about working for this company is having great ideas to improve workflow and them constantly being shot down by management because they don't see the value that it would add to their role.

One of the worst places I've ever been!  I was in my car ON BREAK and closed my eyes for a few minutes because I had been up with a sick kid the night before. One of the people in management came out and asked me if I was ok and I said yes it was just a rough night/day. He told me "Why don't you go ahead and head home and we'll start fresh Monday morning" I thought it was strange but agreed. They messaged me and fired me Sun evening and coworkers reported to me they said I overdosed in front of everyone! That should tell you who they are and who they hire. I was shocked and never been so insulted.

What is the best part of working at the company?
You meet some nice people and you get paid weekly. And if you’re a permanent employee I heard you get benefits.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Having  a manager act as if you don’t have a life outside of the work place and trying to spend your hard earned money on their festivities.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very diverse people and the work is like working in the chain gang.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Everyone always expresses how they can’t wait to get off of the job.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Account executive 11 salaries reported	$86,818 per year
Project manager 15 salaries reported	$81,667 per year
Account coordinator 9 salaries reported	$31.83 per hour
Forklift operator 6 salaries reported	$20.75 per hour
Sales director 6 salaries reported	$115,000 per year

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