CONTINUE YOUR CAREER WITH GREAT NORTHERN

As a Design Assistant, Jamie Sanchez is in charge of producing all design samples and shipping them to current and potential customers. She also helps create new designs and doesn’t mind a challenge when doing so. “Creating new cartons, especially ones where there is something unusual or difficult that the carton needs to do is my favorite part of my job,” Jamie says. “I love the challenge of having to find creative and practical solutions to problems.”

Since joining Great Northern six years ago, Jamie has held several different roles within the company. “I started as a take-off on the folder gluers, then moved to the laminator as take-off, as well as the press,” said Jamie. “I then moved up to roll tender where I stayed for about four years and then I again got the chance to pursue a new adventure by joining the design department as a design assistant.”

Jamie says that her hard work has always been appreciated and rewarded. “I have always felt a great level of loyalty and respect from my co-workers and bosses,” she said. “My supervisor has shown this as well by being flexible with my work and home life, which is huge when you are trying to make time for work, school, homework and spending time with family. I don’t just have a job here, I have a second family that relies on me to be successful, but cares about me as a person as well.”

When Nadine Sterling started with Great Northern 14 years ago, she was fresh out of college and looking to join a company in which she could use her new-found skills and grow her career with. Nadine is the Instore Sourcing and Inventory Supervisor. She oversees inventory management and enjoys working with fellow team members on developing processes for outsource fulfillment projects to be completed in an efficient manner. “I am learning so much from my team and this role has given me a further appreciation of the people and processes we have on the back end of the business!”

Nadine started with Great Northern as a Customer Service Representative and later advanced to a Lead in that department. After that she became the InStore Customer Service Supervisor before transitioning into her new role. “Great Northern has supported me in my career growth all the way from a recent college graduate to where I am today,” she said. “They have helped me develop leadership skills through continuing education as well as real life experience and on the job training.”

Heath Thompson is a 3^rd shift press-side supervisor who leads and supports press-side crews to produce good quality products safely for our customers. He has been with Great Northern for almost twenty years. Heath has already learned enough to assist on any machine on the press side. Heath says that one of the reasons he took the promotion was to learn more. To be an effective leader, Heath needed his team to teach him. He continually asks questions and carries a notebook to learn more. He has gained mutual respect from his team due to his experience and openness to learning. He said, “I can learn and lead all at the same time.”

When asked about what he enjoys most about Great Northern, Heath replied, “I like doing what I do. I like working with my hands and seeing the finished product. It’s great to see all the parts come together. I like to think about how Great Northern can make its products and how we can retain our customers.” Heath also feels that if one fails, we all fail. He takes pride in getting things done as a team, even if he needs to pitch in. For example, when the bander is backing up, he will jump on the forklift and assist in keeping the entire line from going down.

Heath is pretty excited about the future. “From sales to our service groups to production, we have a great team.”

Tom Rock is a Lift Truck Driver for Great Northern and has been with the company for 33 years, while his son Taylor Rock, a Forklift Driver, has been with Great Northern for almost a year. Even though their amount of time with Great Northern is different, their reason for joining is the same. “In 1988 I was starting a family and I wanted stability,” said Tom. “I wanted to ensure a better future for myself and my son,” replied Taylor.

Tom says he enjoys finding ways to succeed in the fast-paced environment that is the shipping department and working with his coworkers. “Great Northern is a good place to work, I wouldn’t have stayed if I didn’t believe that,” said Tom. “I’m living and sharing the Great Northern vision with my youngest son, and his future with the company.”

Taylor is focused on keeping the next generation of Great Northern alive. “I’m doing this by giving my best effort every day and helping others when and where I can.” Finally, when Taylor was asked what it is like to have the opportunity to work with his father, he replied “Not many people get to have that opportunity, so it’s a great feeling knowing that I do.”