truck driver

lumber associate

inside sales representative

outside sales representative

retail manager

RP LUMBER

This job experience was nothing but a positive one. We had a relatively small work force: A manager and assistant manager, two or three workers at a time in the store and four workers, including myself, in the yard. Since we all had a background in the same field, we had a lot in common and a lot to talk about every day. 
     A typical day at work at RP Lumber including coming to work around 5 - 10 minutes early and signing in. I, being a newly hired yard hand, would have to come in at 8 am and the more experienced guys would come in before 7:30 am to open the yard and to get the yard open and get vehicles ready for the day. My day was never the same because different people needing different things would come in at different times. So the only thing that was required of me (depending on how busy we were) was to be ready and waiting to help customers load their vehicles. On slow days, I would pick up around the yard and level piles of lumber to keep the yard looking organized and professional.
     The manager at the Hillsboro location made the job a more enjoyable experience than I thought he would. He was very serious about making the sales goals set by the corporate store but still maintained an enjoyable work atmosphere by telling jokes, sharing stories about his family, and being very flexible with issues such as switching days off if anyone needed and other conflicts.
     My co-workers are an amazing group of people that I enjoy being around on a day to day basis. Two of my co-workers in the yard have been there for 20 years or more and have a lot of stories that they share and they both have a great appreciation for daily life that I can't comprehend due to my lack of life experience. They sincerely make my job a fun experience.
     The hardest part of my job is just beginning. During the winter months, the lumber yard will be relatively empty due to the lack of customers. People do not have outside jobs where lumber and siding are needed during this time of the year. Days go by very slowly when there is no one to serve and the winter temperatures start dropping.
      The most enjoyable part of my job is getting to know so many different people. After the first month, regulars have learned my name and treat me like a friend, not just some guy that loaded their vehicle. That is my favorite part of this job.

DO NOT WORK HERE! Management is toxic and under minds what workers outside of the office have to do on top of their already growing list. Nobody in the office is willing to lend a hand unless absolutely necessary (even though some of them are certified to drive the big trucks). 
Horribly understaffed at all of the stores, expecting two guys to do the work of seven. This also includes a high turn-over rate when it comes to 'trying' to employ more people. 
Work - life balance is also not manageable with this company. You are expected to work this job regardless of health and well-being of not only your self but your immediate family as well.
DOT and CDL certification be damned, they will let anyone drive a truck that doesn't have a certification or experience (as said to others previously 'Just don't get caught'). 
Trucks are hardly ever maintained, causing hazardous working environment for both drivers and yard crews. This has never made any sense due to the once monthly meetings we have with the big boss man himself via conference call. He keeps telling us that the stores are making huge profits, but none of it gets reserved to fix and maintain any vehicle or equipment unless absolutely necessary.  Even simply air conditioning in the big trucks is looked down upon because it will 'spoil the drivers'. 
For the sake of your health, and mental well-being, DO NOT work at any R.P. Lumber location.  

a 40 hr/wk career that starts at 7am and ends at 4pm. Always consists of opening the store as in gates, different yards and such, parking all vehicles in there proper places, Pre-trip inspections on vehicles including forklift's and filling out appropriate documentation of the pre-trips. Then obtaining info from the board of that particular day and pull lumber loads matching what items was ordered and loading them accordingly. Making the deliveries. If in the store, answering phones, taking customer orders, cashing them out, helping them load the product or build product for there delivery. We have an excellent management team as well as co-employees. The teamwork of everyone makes the tough parts go smoother as in carrying drywall into a home or business or getting jobs loaded and out on time. The most enjoyable part of the job is knowing you done all a person can do making things happen and the day ending feeling accomplished.

Entire company under poor management, afraid to upset owner. Very poor communication except for early morning monthly meeting where he often rambles off subject.  Everyone is fearful for their job as he dictates unreasonable expectations inconsistently. He frequently makes up or exaggerates complaints forcing managers to fire, lay-off, or uncomfortably transfer employees he dislikes. There is no recourse. Usually employees get very minimal, if any training. Nearly every adult family member of the owner expects each employee to be at their personal beck and call, without regard for 'procedures' or existing customer projects . Often unfair and inconsistent treatment-- just barely legal I suspect.

I really enjoy my job here. The people are good to work with and the ownership is very involved with a lot of communication. It's nice to work somewhere that you know people care and plus my wife likes it so that's good. It's a big company but you get sorta a small company feel. The industry and business seem tough at times but this seems to be one of the companies that gets it. People are treated fair, customer service is a big deal and we hear about it a lot. Sometimes things get very busy but I guess that is a good thing overall. I do like it when the owners come around. They're nice people and you can tell they know what they're doing. I've been here for almost 2 years and I plan on staying. Best job I've had and you do feel appreciated. Very positive overall but no job is perfect I guess.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working and building a relationship with customers & contractors that come in. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Being talked down to, constantly watched, and dealing with tempered coworkers & manager(s). 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Depends on the location. Management makes or breaks it. I have worked at two locations that are completely opposite from one another. I moved from a store with zero stress, to a store that brings stress on a platter to me every single day. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
As an Indoor Sales Representative, I help customers with selection of items, check customers out, help keep the store clean and organized, and take phone calls and special order items in. I also sometimes will help out in the yard if we have little staff that day.

I really enjoyed working with our customers. On a typical day, I would  load up with the fork lift, deliver lumber and other construction supplies with a crane truck (AKA boom truck), a ladder truck or small orders in a pick-up truck. During slow delivery times, I would help customers in the yard, clean up, restock, or load/unload trucks. The best part of the job was when everything ran according to plan, good weather, easy traffic, etc. The hardest part of the job, was when weather was bad, incoming loads were late, other employees didn't complete tasks on time etc.

Work with all walk-in customers to help with their needs. Schedule deliveries. Complete special orders for doors and other non-stock materials to satisfy customer. Learn different ways of completing tasks everyday, or shortcuts when building. I also learn about various tools and material on a daily basis. Co-workers are easy to get along with and helpful with providing myself with information when needed. Hardest part is learning how to deal with certain customers; i.e. everyone is different, and we need to keep customers happy in order for them to return. Most enjoyable part is knowing exactly what the customer wants and being able to help them in a timely and efficient manner.

Decent pay if you can lift/carry heavy objects and get a CDL, or you like to work at the counter. The coworker/team environment is usually good. The main downside is trying to sell an inventory with varying quality. Customers don't want bad looking boards, so digging through the stacks of wood is necessary. It just gets really annoying. Common/loyal customers range from licensed contractors to self employed handymen (both have pros and cons). Business slows down during the winter. Corporate often orders too much drywall, 2x4s, or OSB for us to stock. Learning to operate the forklifts well can be fun.

Management is friendly and helpful. Often times asked to work overtime or to come in early on a moments notice. Not always ideal if you have small children at home. Pay is decent and competitive for the area. Two major downfalls of this job include expensive costs for heath insurance and a good chance of being laid off every year during the winter months. Most of the equipment is kept in good operating condition. Sometimes you may have to travel as far as state lines for work, but on the plus side it is always in a company vehicle.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 98 salaries reported	$22.30 per hour
Lumber associate 99 salaries reported	$17.33 per hour
Inside sales representative 82 salaries reported	$17.37 per hour
Outside sales representative 37 salaries reported	$56,189 per year
Retail manager 22 salaries reported	$20.66 per hour

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