route sales representative

route driver

merchandiser

truck driver

retail merchandiser

Pan-O-Gold Baking

There are few positive aspects of the Pan O Gold Baking Co. from my experience on the production line. The machines constantly malfunction slowing product output while simultaneously ruining the dough or bread along the line (whether that be burnt bread in the oven or dough destroyed in the proofer). The supervisors during this time attempt to aid in patching the machines until the next day but never seem to put in any effort towards replacing broken parts or updating outdated equipment. 

In the month that I worked for them I put in hard work. I gave my 110% as I do with any job because I'm there to make things efficient and make the company money. In my position I was doing a substantial amount of lifting something I'm familiar with but haven't done for about a year. Things were going fine until my left forearm started to ache and every day after that point it only got worse. It was an overuse injury that just needed a few days to heal. I asked to be switched to a different station for a few days to recover so that I could heal and then continue on the mixer. The supervisors brushed me off  even when I kept asking. I had already waited 2 weeks to even mention the pain in my arm just to see if I could fight through it and maybe have it go away before asking for the switch. The supervisors proceeded to ignore me for the next week at which point I could hardly make a fist with my left hand. They didn't have my personal health in mind and they continued to push me beyond what I should have done. 

If you are willing to put up with poor management, a stressful work environment, and constant malfunctions the pay is good.That is the only saving grace for this job.

My main job was at the end of the combo line (bread and buns) line, but I was on third shift so it was mostly just bread.  I had to watch the bread as it came down the line and make sure it went into the bread slicer properly.  The job was boring at times, and I had some long days, but the pay was excellent when compared to the job responsibilities and how easy it was, however I was required to help other lines when necessary (perks of being at the bottom of the totem pole) and those lines got pretty hectic at times.  Management was firm but fair.  My only real complaints are that you only get Mondays and Fridays off (so you're required to work weekends), and while you do get days off for certain holidays, there's a good chance that your day off won't be on that holiday (i.e. you might have to work Thanksgiving but you'll have that Wednesday off), but you won't find out until a week or two prior.

The pay and benefits were very good. Unfortunately understaffed HR staff did little to no communication of benefits. In 5+ years I never once attended any type of benefits session. The Sun Prairie plant, despite having approximately 200 employees had no HR presence. They were based at corporate in St. Cloud. We saw them once a year for GMP/Safety training.

In production there were 3 shifts, however shifts usually were 8 plus hours. As a result shifts would get staggered and most weeks you would have 5 different starting times ranging from all times of the day and night. The schedule went up on Thursday for the work week starting on Saturday and each days schedule was subject to change up until 24 hours.

High turnover among both top management and rank and file. Dysfunctional corporate culture, imo emanating from the top of the company. 

Pay was competitive and benefits were above average with the exception of PTO. I would say that there were many good co-workers, however I don’t really know anymore. I have heard that almost all of them that I worked with have left the company.

Was waiting to do a review of Pan-O-Gold, but I think 3 years is long enough. There really isn't anything bad that I can say about my job(Merchandiser). The hours for most people would be too low to live on for most. I only work part-time/2 days a week. So most would have this as a second job. Overall I feel I am compensated very well, however there are no benefits(healthcare, 401K, and such).
I have 2 bosses technically, and both are pretty great. In general I don't hear much from them, and I don't bother them in return. This is highly unusual as most places your boss will be looking over your shoulder 24/7! Only real downside is the driving. In the winter time this can get kind of hairy, but only do it twice a week. Other than that there really isn't any room for advancement unless you want full-time. Which if your doing this probably isn't what your looking for. Normally wouldn't even write something like this, but never had a job this nice. They will have to pry it from my cold dead hands!

I loved working at Pan O gold.  The factory ran efficiently and well managed.  Everyone that works there, got to know each other on their work shifts.  Great pay, and the benefits were very good.  Especially dental.  Most of the positions there were sort of assembly line type work.  I learned a lot from this job.  How to use my time efficiently, and how to interact and help others.  The management, for the most part, was great.  They were always there when you had a question, and were more than willing to help you when you either had questions or had ideas about anything.  Workplace culture was great.  Everyone got to know each other on their work shift.  Overall friendly, and laid back.  Hardest part of the job is the fact that we normally do not get 2 day weekends.  So it can be difficult to have enough time with family.  The most enjoyable part of the job is that after your work day, you generally have a lot of time before the next time you work.  This makes up for the 1 day weekends.

Good benefits. Dental horrible.
 Union job, but the union is hours away and useless. Pension nearly gone.

Hours are bad most work 11+ hours a day. Start 3am or earlier. No breaks.
Pay is base+ commission. Not hourly. When you calculate pay and hours your lucky to make $13.00 an hour.

Supervisors are almost always running routes. When not on routes writing up sales drivers for stupidest things and on their computers (doing nothing). They do everything they write up drivers for but expect perfection. Unrealistic expectations for daily routines that already are long and filled with extra demands.
Have hired many managers from other bread companies who were fired. Always hire these managers. Not good for morale. Rarely promote from within. No room for advancement.

If your single and don't mind having social life its probably a decent job. If have you have a family it will suffer.

Hard work and doing a great job are not rewarded!

I learned how to do everything on combo line. I enjoyed my job, and my boss john was more than helpful when I went through personal things. Is everything perfect there? No, but tell me what job is. If you don't have young children and want to make a lot of money and can handle crabby people from time to time, you'll do well here. Don't miss work and be reliable. Anyone I Dealt with was friendly. People you work with are good people. It's kind of an old school company, and I like that. At Holiday's you work a lot of hours, and if the person to relieve you isn't there you have to get a lead or wait for someone to replace you. The hours are all over the place, but in a structured manner. It stays the same until holiday's come. It's just temporary adjustment. Overall, Great Place to work if you actually want to work.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Plenty of work and opportunities for movement exist within the company.  There are always logistical issues but no job exists without these as a factor. Sometimes communication is not as comprehensive depending on the role you are serving. But overall treated very well. I do hear an occasional "Thank You".

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Timing doing the work with a lack of some details and making the landing times with receivers. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Friendly but serious about the duties being performed.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy until finished. More effort is required at bigger stops requiring more product and merchandising.

Pan-O-Gold Baking has shifted to a more balanced and consistent day/night work structure to improve work-life balance within the last 5 years. These changes have aimed to create a predictable routine for employees while ensuring they can maintain both professional productivity and personal well-being. 

Employee safety is a core priority for Pan-O-Gold, as it directly impacts the well-being of workforce and the overall success of the team as a whole. They strive in adhering to a  culture of safety as it creates an environment where employees feel valued, protected, and empowered to work without fear of injury or harm.

Management are approachable and open to suggestions, fostering a culture where employees feel empowered to contribute ideas for improving efficiency and safety within the company.

You come in wear a hairnet, wash your hands and start to package the bread into boxes. I learned to be slow and gentle with the bread, boxes and coworkers. The management is okay. Workplace culture is good and okay. A lot of vietnamese people have worked there for years or decades. The hardest parts of the job is the heat, the machines are old, getting hand cramps and some people micromanage others. The most enjoyable part of the job was my coworkers who we worked as a team to get a lot boxes done. I quit because of my hands and arms was breaking out due to gluten along with the split shift on one day that I wasn't supposed to come in. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Route sales representative 10 salaries reported	$58,725 per year
Route driver 26 salaries reported	$60,250 per year
Merchandiser 3 salaries reported	$900 per week
Truck driver 3 salaries reported	$31.95 per hour
Retail merchandiser 6 salaries reported	$13.42 per hour

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