warehouse associate

material handler

truck driver

outside sales representative

administrator

Sonepar USA

I started working two months ago for a 3-month "contract-to-hire" agreement. I gave my full energy and commitment to the role, even though the working environment was far from supportive.
On my second day, my direct supervisor went on maternity leave, and I was left without proper guidance. The trainer who initially supported me eventually became dismissive and unhelpful, often rushing through explanations and making me feel uncomfortable for asking necessary questions even though the nature of the job (audit/reviewing cases) requires detailed clarification and accuracy.
My only teammate was not friendly or collaborative, and communication was minimal. I brought up my concerns during a one-on-one meeting with management about a month ago, hoping things would improve. While some adjustments were made, the overall treatment and lack of support remained.
Today, without any prior warning or formal feedback, I was informed that it was my last day. I was shocked and disappointed by the way this decision was communicated and handled.
I wouldn’t recommend this company to others looking for a healthy and professional work environment. A workplace should value communication, guidance, and fair treatment unfortunately, that was not my experience.

Sonepar is a good company. Its success and growth have been increasing dramatically - growth in the states It's pretty amazing to see, and honestly, pretty fun to be a part of.

That said, you have to be careful that you don't stop learning. The environment is fairly one dimensional, so it's pretty easy to be forgotten about. If things stop getting challenging, you're staying there too long. For most people, this happens in about 2 and a half to 4 years. By then, you'll learn everything you can about the company. I say this as a caveat to anyone looking to apply. 

Sonepar is a great company and worth applying to. It has a lot to offer to people with not much experience, but it's important to know that it won't take long for you to want to take the experience and move elsewhere

Sonepar bills their company as a conglomerate that purchases existing distributorships and maintains the small company feel. 

The small company soon disappears, cell phone monitoring software is added to the phone that the employee must purchase. Computers are loaded with software that is so secure it prevents you from being able to perform your duties. 

.....Then the profit requirements are implemented, every order must meet a minimum gross margin, successful branches are expected to pull extra load to support the mismanaged branches. If you are very good are your position and happen to have a few good years in a row, your commission will be reevaluated to align you with your real market value.  

Mid level mangers are purely political entities, very few have real knowledge of what it takes to succeed. 

 I truly enjoyed my job for many many years,  when the authoritarian regime took over it was no longer a career I could be proud of.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Work location in Charleston South Carolina

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Lack of clear expectations. Never knew if you were doing what was required of the job. You then are coached in not meeting expectations when expectations were never defined. No HR advocacy for the employee. “Good ole boy” environment was the norm. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Not good. People walk on egg shells all the time not knowing when the next hammer will fall.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Keeping your head low. Trying to figure out how to navigate through the network. My directs had a line to my leadership and used it to their advantage if they did not like my decisions. Constantly needed to look over my shoulder.

The management needs to change which it never will so they have had many people leave this year and with a pandemic going on that is very sad. Good workers are not compensated the way they should be or appreciated .  The good workers have to work harder to make up the bad workers who somehow are always the managers favorites .  That is a bad way to run a business and you will constantly have turn over.  They have had a lot of turnover the past two years and especially this year and still they will not change anything so it will continue.  So if you give it a try and you are a so so employee and the mangers like you then by all means you are going to love it.  If you are a dependable person who loves their job and work really hard you will get burned out and that is a guarantee. 

If you enjoy an environment where being patronized by management, favoritism, poor training & gossip flourishes, apply here... otherwise stay FAR away! Management makes it clear that training isn't good but when you struggle and ask questions they speak to you like you're the problem. Also, if you're looking for a company to grow in, this definitely isn't the one as there is no opportunity for growth.... at least not for 4+ years and that's only if you're a favorite. I honestly wouldn't recommend working here to my worst enemy.

The leadership in AP really should be addressed! The favoritism and lack of a true and fair leader would make a world of difference.  It is not a bad company, but if you are hoping for a balanced and professional experience, don't end up in an AP position. Most are unhappy and is all due to management. Nothing will ever improve because they have been getting away with it for years. Sticking up for unprofessional behavior starts at the top and if they don't like you or you let it be known that you disagree with something, you will definitely be treated poorly. 

I lost a more than 20 year carrer postion due to poor management from many levels. Management listens to and acts on gossip regardless of validity. No questions asked removed from the property after over 20 years of faithful unrelenting service. I never received even one bad evaluation.

This is not a company that I would suggest working for. There are many other electrical distributors that will treat you better with more respect for you and your family.

AP Management needs lots of improvements. They practice favoritism, but they deny it.  Management from supervisor to Director are personal friends outside he office, but that would be OK, except for the fact that you are not treated fairly unless at least one of them like you.  NO room for advancement unless they like you. OPCO processors are overwhelmed an inexperienced processors which makes their job harder. Sonepar as a whole is a great company.  The only issue they have an they should take a deep look at Sonepar Shared Services.

Management is terrible. So much favoritism! If you aren't one of the few "chosen " ones then you will Never be appreciated. There are no opportunities for advancement. This company has the worst culture. Management is a HR nightmare! So many HR violations! I would never recommend working here. Raises are non-existent or so poor. Longevity is not rewarded! People working there for 3 to 5 years still aren't making what new employees make. Again, a HR nightmare!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Warehouse associate 6 salaries reported	$18.42 per hour
Material handler 5 salaries reported	$18.60 per hour
Truck driver 4 salaries reported	$26.50 per hour
Outside sales representative 3 salaries reported	$81,667 per year
Administrator 2 salaries reported	$60,054 per year

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