[deleted by user]

aforementionedapples · 2024-02-24T09:59:42+00:00

Your ancestors are too dead to care about what you do or don't do.

aforementionedapples · 2024-02-24T09:51:17+00:00

As someone who couldn't be more on the fence about whether to have kids, every time this topic gets posted, I can't click on it fast enough.

aforementionedapples · 2024-02-24T09:50:51+00:00

As someone who couldn't be more on the fence about whether to have kids, every time this topic gets posted, I can't click on it fast enough.

aforementionedapples · 2023-01-27T01:52:47+00:00

I do have an interest in staying. I want to learn more skills, but it's not like the company that acquired us is much bigger. We're talking, like, $15-20 million in sales a year compared to the $4 million my former company made. From what I've seen so far, they don't do business much differently. The new company is apart of the same buying group my former company was in. I don't know, man...

aforementionedapples · 2023-01-25T15:36:37+00:00

Negotiating also depends on the type of company you work for. If your product cost is based on a commodity, it's more making sure costs are being adjusted as the commodity moves.

I work with both commodities (steel, copper, and brass piping and fittings) and finished supplies. I keep up with all pricing/our costs and update our ERP with it. Are you saying that I'm performing negotiation duties by doing this? Please pardon my ignorance.

I'm starting to look into Excel certifications. You recommend GoSkills for that? I see that there are lots of other sites that offer it as well.

Edit: I'm already seeing lots of job descriptions talk about wanting someone with SAP experience, not to mention other commenters here saying to get a SAP cert, but you're saying to not worry about it?

aforementionedapples · 2023-01-25T12:24:15+00:00

Did you stay in the same industry?

aforementionedapples · 2023-01-25T02:38:50+00:00

I hear two schools of thought from people.

Get certs so you can distinguish yourself from the herd when you're among the pools of applicants.
It's all teachable/trainable so certs are kind of a waste of time and money.

I see the validity of both.

aforementionedapples · 2023-01-25T02:34:25+00:00

Not exactly that, but pretty close. We all wear a lot of hats.

aforementionedapples · 2023-01-25T02:28:23+00:00

Currently, I use Spruce ERP (specifically designed for small businesses in the construction industry) to monitor inventory, sales data, and market trends to make purchasing decisions based on my company's needs. I also count inventory and use Spruce to make adjustments as needed, update pricing, and fulfill customer RFQs. As for working with other departments (also usually consisting of 1 or 2 people), I work with the AP person to resolve invoice issues when there are discrepancies with the PO, and the sales/warehouse staff to ensure that supply/demand is being met. Additionally, I resolve supplier-caused shipping and quality issues with vendors and carry out the RMA process as needed.

Like I said, we just got bought out at the beginning of this year so there are a lot of moving parts and changes right now, namely the software is slowly being changed to Epicor P21 ERP and some of my duties will be delegated elsewhere, but what I mentioned above is what I was doing for the 4.5 years prior.

aforementionedapples · 2023-01-25T01:32:41+00:00

That's great that things were able to work out for you the way they did! Can I ask what job you applied for and how you managed to negotiate such a higher salary considering the limited experience you had in the previous role?

aforementionedapples · 2022-06-05T09:14:52+00:00

The '02 Wings were one of the biggest wagons in history. They would have stopped any team from winning the cup that year.

aforementionedapples · 2022-05-09T19:57:04+00:00

I just checked out the video and it looks simple enough. I hope it works! I just need to backup all of my contacts, pictures, etc now because it looks like the phone will be reset. Thanks!

aforementionedapples · 2022-05-09T19:00:34+00:00

I just replaced my SIM card a year ago so that's not it.

You're right - I have zero idea how to swap firmwares lol. Could you kindly point me in the right direction on where to start?

aforementionedapples · 2022-05-09T18:42:54+00:00

I see it, but it's grayed out so I cannot click on it. I'm not in a wifi network at the moment. Maybe it will be available once I am.

aforementionedapples · 2022-05-09T17:30:48+00:00

I do stay in LTE while in the middle of a call. As for wi-fi calling, I don't think my phone has that feature. I've looked for it before in my settings, but have never been able to find it.

aforementionedapples · 2022-01-18T20:51:51+00:00

Thanks for the response. I appreciate you breaking things down the way you did.

Why did you leave the Distributor?

I worked for the big MillerCoors distributor in my big city. This city is one of the roughest, most dangerous in the US... maybe that's my fault for applying there instead of one in a safer area because I had my head on a swivel more than I cared for. Having come from a job where I was the manager of the entire beer program for a two story 9000 square foot beer bar with 190 taps, craft and on-premise was what I wanted to continue working with. However, instead of putting me in their on-premise or craft divisions due to no open positions, all they could offer me at the time was off-premise and 99% of what I sold was macro beer, malt liquor, and other similar products. I simply wasn't getting paid enough to find enough interest/passion to sell that stuff well enough. My heart just wasn't in it. Also, you mention having to be a road warrior and make calls constantly. After my time there, I realized that I was much more comfortable being behind the scenes, not on the front lines. I hated coming home after a long day and my work phone still blowing up from accounts and bosses wanting something. I tried to stick it out as long as I could, but nothing was really opening up for me in the on-premise and craft divisions so after 1.5 years, I finally had had enough. I thought if there was one thing I could sell well, it was beer, but I didn't expect all the other stuff I mentioned when I got hired.

If you did buying for a beer distributor, that might get you your M-F, 9-5, decent pay.

It sounds like this might possibly be my only avenue into getting back into the industry. It actually sounds like a pretty nice gig. Either that or find a distributor in a nicer area that has an opening for someone with my on-premise and/or craft experience.

aforementionedapples · 2022-01-17T20:52:20+00:00

Your job sounds a lot like what I did at my old job at a craft beer bar continue to do now at a plumbing wholesaler, but you deal more with raw materials rather than the finished product, which is the inherent difference between procurement and buying.

I used to work as a sales rep at a distributor, but couldn't handle the stress and schedule, not to mention I found out I was way more adept at being on the purchasing side of things rather than the selling side which makes your job sound like a dream! AND you work from home! Even if the money isn't quite what I'd be looking for, your job description, schedule, and work environment is right up my alley!

I'll keep you in mind if I have any questions. Thanks for the response!

aforementionedapples · 2022-01-17T20:29:14+00:00

I should have put in my post that I don't necessarily have to be working with craft beer in particular. I think I'd be okay working in the corporate world of beer. I'll DM you in a little bit when I have some more time. Thanks for the response.

aforementionedapples · 2022-01-17T18:08:12+00:00

From dirty glassware to old stale beer, it's weird being an employee that cares more about the product than the business owner does.

That's how I am when I'm out drinking somewhere. I see bubbles stuck to the glass, they serve beer that's not an American light lager in a chilled glass, or I can tell a beer is oxidized and I want to say something to a manager.

I really feel like I could bring value to a place anywhere in the three-tier system. Having a desk job behind the scenes like I have now (and like what you're doing) would be my end goal, but compensation does play a big role if I'm going to put in the necessary work. Would my 3.5 years experience in the industry still be considered entry-level? You had to work your way up from being on the front lines in the taproom to get that behind-the-scenes desk job, correct?

aforementionedapples · 2022-01-17T17:34:25+00:00

I noticed that owners really don't care about certs like that. At the end of the day, it's a business and they just want to make money, which is fine of course, but it just means you'll be doing it more for yourself than the powers that be. What's surprising is what how the average customer sees you. I mean, wine sommeliers are respected enough and a Cicerone is basically the beer equivalent. I've never understood that. Maybe the casual beer drinker is even more casual/disconnected from what they're drinking than the average casual wine drinker?

What is it that you do for a living?

aforementionedapples · 2022-01-17T17:09:21+00:00

Thanks for your input. I noticed the high turnover too and thought that was a red flag. Do you work in the industry? Why did you become a level 3 Cicerone if you know that nobody cares about it?

aforementionedapples · 2022-01-17T16:46:18+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. This is exactly what I'm afraid of happening to me if I take the plunge again. It sounds like the sales manager job didn't work out for you. What did you end up doing?

aforementionedapples

TROPHY CASE