cashier

janitor

deli associate

production associate

sales advisor

MasterBrand Cabinets

The benefits package was one of, if not the best out of anywhere that I have worked, and most of the hourly staff and lower salaried employees were great to work with. Just be prepared for long hours, limited support, and being understaffed. 

I was apparently not right fit for the plant, but I would agree that the culture was not right for me.
If you are a "yes man" in a leadership roll, this is right up your alley. But in my experience, we didn't get enough of the proper support for the floor staff, to include proper training, consistently working tools, machines going down during most shifts, and rarely any positivity that didn't revolve around a production number. If you were able to hit the numbers, then that was a "win," regardless of the quality of the cabinet that was shipped.

Communication was much to.be desired. If it was sent in an email, then it was good enough. There was very little actual training or proper communication about changes. The biggest issue wasn't the changes themselves, but no communication of WHY there were changes, and HOW it would help with a certain goal or metric. I ended up being a bad guy because I voiced my concerns with the practices of the plant. I offered suggestions and solutions for how the different departments could improve (since I have a few years experience working for another cabinet company), but it was met with resistance and the attitude that I didn't know what I was talking about.
Admittedly, this caused me frustration which led me to being a little more outspoken.

I know every company has warts, and nobody or institution is perfect, but from my experience and perception, the upper leadership at the plant were in it for themselves, and absolutely not for the employees below them, including salary staff. The common phrase spoken by the GM was "if you can't get the job done, I can replace you with someone that can." Not only is that the exact opposite thing to say to anyone, but I heard him say this to a manager in front of that managers peers and subordinates. There were multiple instances of him degrading his subordinates in this manner.

There is no excuse or reasoning good enough for failure, but if you succeed, there will be somebody above you to take the credit, or put the blame of their bad decision on to you. Basically, there were plenty of managers, but very little leaders. If your leadership skills were different than that of the old guard (like mine) it can be a rough ride.

The integrity and moral compass that the plant is using to direct it's heading these days is scary.
In my time there, there were known harassers in leadership rolls that had a history of praying on their subordinates. They only got fired after someone finally insisted that a deeper investigation took place.
Another manager was having an affair with one of their hourly associates, and when they were found out, nothing happened to either one of them, because the hourly one quit before they got in trouble.

People have had strokes, heart attacks, and seizures at work, with conversations afterwards about how the company can avoid liability, instead of how they can help provide for the needs of their people.

While I feel like the HR department generally cares for the employees, it can definitely feel like they do so at an arms reach. More often than not they will hide behind the corporate "this is what we are supposed to do" instead of doing what is right by their people.

At the end of the day, you will be a number that is replaceable. But if you have good attendance, a good work ethic, and are even semi capable, you shouldn't have any issues in an hourly roll. Most positions really are kept as easy as possible to remain successful.

If you are seeking a salary roll, just remember that no job is ever worth your health and sanity.

I applied for a finish sprayer position with company, but during interview, they wanted to train me on a CNC machine, which I was very excited to get to do. Was promised that I would be taught to use this machine (as well as other saws/routers) during the training period and operate on second shift, cutting stock parts. First issue, it took a week just to find out what my training schedule was going to be. Lack of communication between leads and management is a HUGE ongoing issue in this place (and from asking around, was not a new problem). Second, during the 4 weeks of training, I found out that the first shift operator (and the only person who knew how to "operate" the machine) had never himself been trained on the machine. He had been operating it for 4+ years with NO CNC experience, and self taught computer skills. He was still in the process of figuring out functions of the machine. Also, I had to be certified for lockout/tag out procedures to operate the machine, which never got scheduled (until my final day of training, and no one informed me about it). During this 4 weeks, I was constantly asking questions about scheduling of certifications (both lock out/tag out and fork lift, as I had to pull my own materials), as well as a multitude of other questions, which never got answered until my final training day (and only a few questions were answered). Everything I learned on the machine (which was very little) was learned withing the first 2 weeks of training, the rest of the time was just doing someone else job for them. I was never shown how to change tools on the machine (critical step of a CNC machine), and was informed by my training lead the final day, that I didn't need to know this, nor how to make changes to the programs for damaged materials. I was flat lied to during my interview, as this was not what I was told. One final thing I was never informed of was the abundance of mandatory overtime required. This overtime was usually done for inventory purposes, which was a result of ineffective management practices (nothing is tracked in this place at any given time). I was informed during orientation that while in training, we did not have to work overtime, and turned out this was not true. I went to the first shift manager of our plant about the issue, and was promptly told it was my fault. My fault I was lied to??? It was at that point I decided this was not the place for someone of my work ethic, and promptly ended my service to them. If you enjoy being lied to, or have an extensive criminal history (no background check done, and half the employees brag about their stints in jail/prison, and some work with ankle monitors) then this is the place for you. Otherwise, I would advise to avoid this place. Upper management seems to only be concerned with who drops to one (or both) knees and will slurp on the back (or front) side of them while having sunshine blown up their backside, as they are clueless to the operations going on. I would say it was just me, but I listened to the vast majority of employees complain about the same issues, and several even quit in the short time I was there, for the same reasons. This could be a much more lucrative business, but no one seems to know how to manage properly. I attempted to give advise about what changes could be implemented to improve conditions, but since I was not in management, I was completely dismissed as if I did not matter. 

 I learned tons and was continually learning more. I enjoyed my job, until I started having physical limitations. I loved many of my co-workers. They ended up being the only reason I didn't leave sooner. The culture got to be to toxic. The same people would be overworked to the point of leaving everyday in such physical pain from overdoing it. While other employees did the very minimum and basically were there to collect a paycheck. Those people weren't asked to assist the overworked ones. They would be left stand idly for extented periods of time while the ones already very much busy with their tasks would be pulled to go do more. The treatment between the ones who worked hard everyday and the ones that just showed up was a very frustrating environment. It created toxicity in the workplace. When pay raises were given yearly it was the same across the board. Until the last. Hard workers that had time in service were deprived of their full raise stating they made more than the people just hired or others with less time and knowledge. If you stepped down from a position they had no problem sending you back to the chopping block to start over with the startin wage plus a few cents. No compensation for knowledge, skills, time in service, loyalty or hard work. There is no value to hard workers. So if you are looking for a place you can make a little bit more with pretty decent benefits and don't need to put in the effort you may have just found your new home. If you are a hard worker, quick learner and willing to learn you will be taking advantage of to the fullest. It's all fine and dandy till it isn't. It's a good stop over if you're just in need of a here an now. You don't want to make it a permanent home if you wanna end up keeping your true value. Overtime is definitely there when they want. It has been on the uphill climb. If you love that, go for it. If you like the 4-10 schedule don't expect it. That is the work week but mandatory 5 is getting to be the new norm. It's all depends on you and who you are as a person, your work ethic, morals, and patience to keep putting up with things that are blatantly wrong. There are language barriers that take away from the training and just everyday communication to perform necessary jobs. Multiple languages under one roof and they will tend to sort themselves out by language which is where communication issues and work issues arise the most. There is no universal language. Many need translators for a variety of languages. If you are fluent in many languages you would be at a huge advantage. Hope this helps anyone looking for information to fill in some of the blanks. 

"We're hiring at Masterbrand".  Yeah, I can't imagine why...

I worked there for 7 years.  Spent most of my time working in the same department and learned a lot of things I didn't think I would.

Management is the worst part.  They're petty, nepotistic (not just family in the workplace, but also close friends), and some of the people I dealt with over those 7 years as my managers were childish, often overreacting when someone higher than them called them out on something.  Some of them let the people under them run things more than they do (case in point, one of the shift supervisors on the opposite shift from mine letting one of his quality specialists decide who should be forcibly transferred or in some cases, even fired from the workplace because said specialist simply didn't like them; I got painted as a 'target' because I was on the opposite shift and we constantly had to point out that we had to do large chunks of their responsibilities for them).  Some of the managers spend so much time sitting in their offices and schmoozing with fellow management staff they have no idea what's going on out on the work floors 95 percent of the time.

Then there's the workload.  They're part of a carpenter's union yet they can't guarantee a set number of hours per week (if you ask me, that should be legally required of all union-regulated workplaces, regardless of how demand-driven the industry is).  The main reason I left was how we were constantly getting shorthanded on work hours--even on days when they'd schedule us to come in early because 'we fell behind.'  Hated having to leave because I'd found an easy job position there and held on to it for roughly the last two years I was there, but they left me no choice if I didn't want to be perpetually destitute.  Especially since it meant leaving one factory for another (I'm a college graduate, and I'm stuck doing menial work for people that I wouldn't trust to properly and professionally manage their own thoughts and dreams let alone a department of employees).

The plant could be a great place however it is stifled by a poor general manager and even worse human resource manager. Management team has gone through a number of GM's, QM's, MM's, Safety Managers, CI Engineers, and Superintendents in the past 3 years. In some cases, change has occurred every year. Good managers are run off and unqualified individuals are elevated to manager merely to fill the resulting hole in the "team." The management culture is to undermine, bad mouth, and sabotage with incompetence and unprofessionalism being rewarded. The level of arrogance of the management team is unbelievable. Managers who left were there to help but the current crop rarely sets foot on the floor. When they do it is to criticize current associates and managers who left.

The majority of the hourly employees are great (like family) but the constant turnover of management team members makes for a disjointed and paranoid work environment. There is no consistency in upholding plant and corporate rules. Favortism runs rampant. Some employees get multiple chances after breaking rules while others are let go the first chance HR and GM gets to get rid of them. 

Corporate needs to step in and clean house. Put in managers who actually know something about how to treat people fairly, how to run a business, and how to make a difference. Interestingly, nearly every manager who has left went on to better positions with more professional organizations for more pay. That alone says something about what is going on in Lexington. Corporate has yet to bat an eye despite the mismanagement of a place that could be a cash cow.

Masterbrand is on the outside looks like a decent company. On the inside it whole another story. 

Raises are low and only provide yearly. Worse the longer you work there the last you get, especially when there pay increase to attract new hires. The raises do  not reflect how many additional job an employee might have pick up over the years.

Promotion is darn near impossible, unless management like you. Even better you must asked to be promoted no matter if you're already doing the work. The best part is an employee must know good chunk of the department task to be even be consider. Oh, mustn't forgot how management will watch you like a hawk. One screw up and bye bye that raise of 1 dollar.

Everyone outside of HR and management get a long alright. Don't asked or except help from them. 

The work can be very repetitive. In fact most of the job is doing the exact same task, i.e. put the board into a machine then stack or insert finish parts into carts. Masterbrand does not and will not train personal in programming the CNC or saw beyond entry level. 

There is a great change of "getting injured." Most if not all the major saws don't have lift or a machine lift aid to help place heavy MDF panels onto the cutting table. For the people sequencing material for assembly or finishing, it get worse since you have to lift 24 by 96 3/4 MDF ply panel multiple time.

 



I liked the work I did at Masterbrand in the many years I worked there. I enjoyed helping the associates that were also passionate about what they do. However, management not only lacked appreciation for it, they discouraged it in various ways and rewarded those that supported their agenda. Their agenda? To make themselves appear competent by taking credit for the hard work of others and slandering said hard workers who challenge their intelligence. Many good people have quit due to the abuse. I eventually quit when I was getting burned out from doing the jobs of three people and found out new hires were being paid more through the door with far less expectations. The morale is horrible. Would not recommend working here. The overtime was nice but unfortunately necessary to bring home a decent paycheck. This location needs a new general manager and HR staff; people that have filled these positions within the last couple of years. You have bosses, not leaders. There have been cases of nepotism and favoritism and disciplinary action to those that have suggested calling the corporate hotline.If you're looking for a job, they're always hiring with their high turnover rate. If you want to be a part of a team and feel appreciated for your ideas, initiative, and hard work; look elsewhere. They would rather loose thousands of dollars in waste and downtime rather than admit they need to support anyone who isn't part of their clique.

The pay is not bad if you get the right position. 
The 4/10’s are enjoyable until it is mandatory to work a Friday, which I personally did not mind. 
The breaks are terrible and a joke! You get two 10 minute breaks and a lunch that they say is 30 minutes, but is indeed only about 20 minutes because they expect you to be back in your work area 3-5 minutes before your lunch is supposed to be over to do stretches and have a mid day meeting. If you are “late” and by late I mean arriving after (example) 12:25 then they deduct your Unpaid Time Off by a whole hour. Speaking of which you get 64 hours for the entire year, and if you are even a minute late to anything they will take a full hour from you! 
They do not accept doctors notes at all -  so if you, your spouse, or children become ill and require your attention and you have to miss work, it gets deducted from the 64 UTO hours you’re given, which will not last long. 
They lack good training resources in their people unfortunately. It is very toxic, dramatic and a “dog eat dog” environment. People have their minds on everything except work and it is a very stressful environment due to that. 1st shift is especially bad about that behavior. You have people that aren’t in lead/supervisor positions trying to lead the pack and slander every movement your lead/supervisor makes! 
The work itself is great, and there is plenty to learn, especially with the machinery! But changes need to be made in this company or the turnover rate will remain high. 

Right away, you go into this job knowing that it's a tough job. I was fine with that and knew it was going to be stressful. However, management - specifically one of the supervisors - makes it about a hundred times worse. He stressed that we weren't doing enough, and, I quote, "You're getting paid for working hard and fast, and if you can't do it like that, then the company doesn't need you." After that, when I made a complaint at Human Resources, they just said that he 'said it the wrong way' and that they will speak to him. I realized at that point that nothing will happen, and when I asked around to the rest of the employees with more time there, they told me that many people often took complaints about him to Human Resources, and nothing happens. They push employees to literal limits, and several of the women working there come out of the job with bruises and injuries on their arms to the point of worrying and crying. These employees do this for the overtime they're promised, and instead of giving them the overtime on their check, they'll have you working nine hours every single day, then have you working for four hours on Friday, disallowing you the extra pay you work hard for. Right now, I'm staying there purely for the fact that I have mouths to feed - I have a family to pay for - and I'll do what needs to be done. But frankly, this isn't the best job experience, and like most of the people there, when I find another job, I'll quit.

The manegment system is the only reason I'm not working there now they outsource with bosses most of the time Wich makes it difficult on the employee. Reason for that is the supervisor is never and I mean Never supposed to be on the line just sat at his computer all day then wonders why things are going in the toliat instead of being an active participant of the work floor. 
But in all nights are only Mon-Thur eleven hours and I was making 600 after taxes. Day shift is Mon-Friday eight hours. And regardless of shift we only worked two weekend days in my first year there Wich was a lot of time off with the family on the weekend I would highly recommend for anyone with kids there is nothing better than three days off to spend entirely with the family. Oh and my pay was not even toped out yet I still had three pay scales I could have climbed to make even more money and it's not seniority based job bidding it's union so anyone can bid and anyone can move up all in all fair workplace for anybody. 
When I was there it was 60 days then full benefits Wich were 8 unpaid vacation days in your first year it moves up to 11 paid vacation after first year also 15 hours unpaid personal time take in two hour increments tops. And point system was eight points and your fired on the nineth. 
So pleanty of time off through the year to spare as well. One fifteen min break then forty-five minute lunch and a ten min break. Unpaid lunch. 

Hope this helpes

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