14 replies to this topic

[kconf]

Hey all,

Few questions! Please comment away...

 

What's your opinion on working in big company vs small company?

 

Would you join a (big) company that's financially struggling (sinking ship)?

 

Is 70-90k (USD) decent for a manager position (North east US)? 

 

I'd love to hear what you all think. 

[ChristinaK]

I would say "never again" to most* small privately-owned companies, based on personal experience. If there aren't enough other educated, competent, and/or willing managers and/or department heads...nope.

 

That salary range depends on how long you've been in the industry and where exactly you're located. It would be too low for me in Chicago; a quick search shows the average range around here is 6-figures minimum, which is what I'd expect. If you've only been in the industry for a couple of years and don't have a lot of experience in different food categories, I would say $70-90k could be rather acceptable, especially if you're in an area where the cost of living is cheaper.

 

Have you tried using something like Glassdoor or Salary.com to compare the average salary for a QA Manager in your local, metropolitan area, or state? 

[SQFconsultant]

I have not "worked" for a company for years, having left a mega - international company as a full time SQF Auditor years ago and have for the past 22 years worked for myself with a partner in our small business.

 

As an employee I did about $125,000 a year in salary and that was with a company that had their division in the North East, $70,000 seems low to me with $90,000 more of an entry level for manager - I don't know of anywhere in the northeast that is not "expensive to live" even though prices on homes are now coming down in places like New Jersey, actually surprised the other day looking at houses in North Jersey that were cheaper than in North Carolina - its like it has flipped.

 

Anyway, without a really nice benefits package I'd be going for at least $100,000 -- however I would not suggest joining a big company right now, a number of them (that are more on the processed food side) are in process of close-down and a number of them are being temporarily nationalized until suitable buyers are found due to the shut-down and close out of the US Corporation and changeover to what our country was run under - the Republic.

 

While a "small" company may not be able to match a robust benefits package, I have seen a good share of them offer very attractive pay packages because they know the possibility of ascending in the company is substantially limited as compared to a big company - pretty much what you come in as, is where you will be forever or at least a very long time unless the company sells out, etc.

 

I know for our small company as we transition into a food company with a chain of stores next year  most of the positions we will have available are all in the 90-110 range but with a relo package that will include zero rental payments (outside of NO federal taxes) for a house on an island where the cost of living and cost of buying a house or renting a house is very high.

Edited by SQFconsultant, 29 August 2024 - 09:20 PM.

[AtomicDancer]

Having worked for big corporate for my last 2 jobs, I am much happier in my current position at a 60-70 person company where I know the owner/CEO. I have fewer PTO days than before, but I prefer working for a small company that knows who I am, knows I have a child, and actually cares about the employees. We have the authority to tailor policies and programs to what is happening at our facility and don't need to run everything past corporate (who in my experience, always say no).

As for Salary, it really depends on experience and location. As an entry level QA Manager in the PNW, my pay is in that range.

 

Would I join a company that is currently floundering? Depends on what I want out of the position. Am I at a point in my life where I am OK with possibly having to look for a new job in 6 months - if yes, why not? Or am I looking for something stable - then probably No. 

[Tony-C]

Hi kconf,

 

I’m always of the view that getting a pay rise is the first thing on the agenda 

 

Perks also need to be considered, pensions, number of paid holiday days, bonuses, medical insurance, cars etc.

 

I would want to be getting a big incentive to join a (big) company that's financially struggling and also a reasonable notice period paid if all went to pot.

 

My biggest concern with jumping ship would be if I ended up working for some A hole.

 

If you are looking for a new job then good luck.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

 

[Shrimper]

So what I am understanding is my $19/hr is extremely underpaid for a QA Manager role? Be it that my experience is very limited, should this type of role have more financial benefit for a small-medium sized processor? 

[lillabec]

So what I am understanding is my $19/hr is extremely underpaid for a QA Manager role? Be it that my experience is very limited, should this type of role have more financial benefit for a small-medium sized processor? 

 

That seems very, very low in my opinion...

[Setanta]

I was making roughly $19 an hour as a beginning production lead 25 years ago.

[ChristinaK]

So what I am understanding is my $19/hr is extremely underpaid for a QA Manager role? Be it that my experience is very limited, should this type of role have more financial benefit for a small-medium sized processor? 

 

In the USA? Yes, that's EXTREMELY low.  Even at an incredibly small processor, I'd expect a minimum of $50k salary for any management title, even with only a year or two of experience. I know QA techs who have a higher hourly rate than $19/hr.

[TimG]

So what I am understanding is my $19/hr is extremely underpaid for a QA Manager role? Be it that my experience is very limited, should this type of role have more financial benefit for a small-medium sized processor? 

 

What's small medium?

Either way, @ 40 hour weeks that comes out to about 40k a year. That was even low 15 years ago for QM at any level.

 

Sometimes when I do my 'deep thoughts' moments, I think life would be better to work 3-4 days a week and take a pay cut. So I guess if you work 3 days a week that might be ok :)

[Tony-C]

So what I am understanding is my $19/hr is extremely underpaid for a QA Manager role? Be it that my experience is very limited, should this type of role have more financial benefit for a small-medium sized processor? 

 

Hi Shrimper,

 

It is not unusual to start on low wages when you have limited experience but you are gaining a lot of experience that will help your career in the future.

 

My tip is to stick it out for a while, gain experience and it will pay off in the future.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[jfrey123]

So what I am understanding is my $19/hr is extremely underpaid for a QA Manager role? Be it that my experience is very limited, should this type of role have more financial benefit for a small-medium sized processor? 

 

It's super low for the role in general, but experience plays a major factor.  I was making $18 an hour at the peak of my first QA job:  the role was titled QA Supervisor, but I was leading the department of 1 (myself), answering to the plant manager, and maintained our entire FSQMS to stay SQF compliant and keep the plant compliant to our own programs.  I was originally hired to be a document control type person, it was a consultant who pushed this small family run operation into 'creating' their first ever QA department.

 

Use this job as a stepping stone.  I said experience plays a factor because when my company now hires QA managers at $75-100k, we expect to be able to hand them the manual and have a plant be fully compliant with FSMA and SQF and everything else on any day at any moment.  If you were elevated to this position, they're likely seeing something in you and could be open to raising your salary as you gain experience in the role.  Learn what certifications are needed for your role (HACCP, PCQI, so on specific to your industry), and tell the company they need to pay to get you certified.  The training and those certs are transferrable, just keep copies of the records.  Once you can prove a records of successfully leading that department and your company through some audits or emergencies, that's when you let them know you're ready for a raise reflective to the duties.  If they refuse, take your new track record of success and put yourself out on the market to double or triple your pay.

[Shrimper]

I know this was not my post, but I really appreciate all those who have sent their feedback. Though I am sure we all would like to be paid more, I agree with those who have explained how I can stick it out and gain the experience/certifications and improve myself, and hopefully along the way get raises. 

[Shrimper]

What's small medium?

Either way, @ 40 hour weeks that comes out to about 40k a year. That was even low 15 years ago for QM at any level.

 

Sometimes when I do my 'deep thoughts' moments, I think life would be better to work 3-4 days a week and take a pay cut. So I guess if you work 3 days a week that might be ok :)

TimG,

 

Unfortunately not... over the past couple of months I have averaged around 50 to 55 hours across 5 days   . It has been difficult to not be at the plant as I feel my level of expectations out of me are quickly growing. 

[kconf]

Thanks everyone for sharing your views. 

Shrimper, don't get discouraged. It does pay off in the long term. That being said, don't wait around too long either.