2rocky
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Salary & benefit negotiations
- Thread starter Lostinthewoods
- Start date
Bullshot
Well-known member
I could be wrong but would think
that most management jobs would be salary, not hourly. Definitely ask what typical expected work hours are! 40, but up to 45 is probably OK for “normal” salary. More… ask yourself if company is understaffed by design, at your expense.
Based on the overall discussion, your years of experience, etc, local economy, and your benchmarking research, it doesnt sound unreasonable for a capable mid-manager to ask for at 100K and 3-4 weeks vacation which is a little more money than current, a little less leave (30+ days of PTO is above or at very least upper end for most ppl in that position ) Overall, not a bad deal given your change in “industry”. If they push back on salary, ask for an extra week. They should want to start you off happy, and you should as well. Good luck.
One more thing - ask about their annual review program, bonus/incentives, etc realize if you want this job it may be an opportunity to accept a little less now (your year 1) but be prepared to make your bigger ask in months leading up to your 1st review, after proving yourself. Not always easy but good companies REALLY don’t want to lose a good employee they already have.
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When looking at pto remember that private is different from the military world. Having family in the military I believe if you are gone over a weekend that counts as pto. They tend to look at 4 weeks as 28 days. Private world typically 20 days is 4 weeks as weekends don’t count.
ismith
Well-known member
So 20 years leadership experience that translates into manufacturing management? So I’m guessing you’re a commissioned officer?
If so, I’d recommend prioritizing everything except pay, with your retirement benefits you have no excuse for working at a job you don’t love.
If so, I’d recommend prioritizing everything except pay, with your retirement benefits you have no excuse for working at a job you don’t love.
kodiakisland
Active member
Don't ask for any less than you will take for the job. Anything more than that is bonus.
Twice I have told potential employers what it would take in salary, benefits, hours, etc. for me to work there. One politely turned me down and the other was offended. Both called me within two weeks and said they could do what I asked. One I turned down out of principle and the other I accepted.
Be realistic with your needs and wants and don't settle for less. Also realize there may be different pots of money for new hires. Signing bonus, moving expenses, etc. that are negotiable.
Twice I have told potential employers what it would take in salary, benefits, hours, etc. for me to work there. One politely turned me down and the other was offended. Both called me within two weeks and said they could do what I asked. One I turned down out of principle and the other I accepted.
Be realistic with your needs and wants and don't settle for less. Also realize there may be different pots of money for new hires. Signing bonus, moving expenses, etc. that are negotiable.
@Lostinthewoods thank you for this topic. I just submitted my retirement request and will be retiring in 18 months after 28 years in the Navy. This is really great info. Appreciate all the members chiming in.
I had to learn this the hard way but never take the first offer they slide across the table. There is always room for negotiation unless you're applying for a union position which I would assume this is not.
What kind of manufacturing facility and what part of the country is it located? Depending on the industry, there's no way I would accept a middle management position for $85k and probably not even $100k depending on what the rest of the benefit package looked like.
What kind of manufacturing facility and what part of the country is it located? Depending on the industry, there's no way I would accept a middle management position for $85k and probably not even $100k depending on what the rest of the benefit package looked like.
Dougfirtree
Well-known member
One little addition to some great advice given here: Some organizations have highly structured time-off policies that "apply to everyone" and seemingly take negotiations off the table. I changed jobs a few years ago and ran into this. I just respectfully and matter-of-factly let them know that at this stage of my life, that was going to be a deal-breaker for me. Turns out, managers have discretion to add more admin leave to the regular schedule... I'm glad I communicated clearly with them about the issue. Good luck!
I guess I’d wonder how much negotiating there even can be. I’d assume the company has a salary scale and policy for time off etc. having outside experience is great but you don’t have experience there. I’ve seen multiple people try to drive a hard bargain where I work and get told to either take what is offered or they’re free to seek other employment
Nick87
Well-known member
As someone who has never negotiated my pay/benefits individually this thread is pretty interesting.
Forkyfinder
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Are you in a union?
Nick87
Well-known member
Yes.
Relieved you don’t have to deal with this mess for the most part?
Nick87
Well-known member
I mean we still vote every contract but by that point it's pretty much a done deal 90% of the time. I find it intriguing how much some of you can customize your pto/pay ratio to suite your lifestyle better. As a whole though we do much better as a group I do belive in our line of work. Its feast or famine for us that's the part I don't like. That's just the job though regardless where you are and who you work for.
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I agree, given the industry change, I will be very happy to end up close to or comparable on where I'm at now.
I've always been the person who doesnt really allow lifestyle creep. So in a hypothetical situation, if I could get close to what I am making right now, then my military pension would be gravy on the biscuit and go towards smart things.
Noted on the annual review program. I would be very interested in what their plan looks like and and see if there is an upward track.
Thanks again for the insight.
This is a really good point and something I look forward to. I'll be very happy when I dont have to take PTO through the weekends.
Your last sentence really hits home for me.
The last approx 20 years were strategic to set myself up financially, so when I retired from the military, I could do what I wanted when I got out.
I don't NEED to work, I WANT to work. I love work and I want to be at a place or doing a thing I smile about daily. So I promise you on that one, the company will need to be the right fit.
I'm enlisted and have been very fortunate over the years as far as jobs, opportunities, and TA benefits afforded to me.
I work aircraft maintenance and a lot of our skills cross over perfectly for this type of stuff. I'll be honest I also planned this out for the last 10 years of my career.
I'm currently a Superintendent and get to lead 240 awesome people and have over 10 years leading sections or groups of over 100+ people.
Bachelors in Occupational Safety and Health and Masters in Safety Management.
Held safety and quality assurance inspector roles
Lean process and continuous improvement certificates
Program Management certificates, etc etc etc.
My goal was to always prepare myself for roles like: Program manager, Operations manager, Production manager, Quality Control manager, Safety manager, etc.
I figured if I got out with multiple years of experience as a leader and some safety/risk management stink on me, that I could be marketable.
Thanks again for the post!
This is really good feedback. I appreciate the post.
This is why I am trying to plan now. I want an understanding of what I realistically want and need, so if it falls short I can walk. Or if it's over then it's extra gravy on the biscuit.
Congratulations of 28 years of service and double congratulations on your pending retirement. You earned it and hope chapter II is bright for you.
I have enjoyed reading about it too. My situation is a bit different as well- I negotiate percentages and geography with my vendors (and subs), but the whole PTO/benefits thing hasn’t been on my radar for years.
Interesting to really think of the monetary value of those things as part of a comp package.
Interesting and helpful thread
seeth07
Well-known member
I'm currently maxed at 25 days of PTO/year. 5 weeks off is solid and I'm pretty happy with it but I would in a heartbeat take a 10k pay cut to get 5 more days. My company billable rate for me is about $5500 a week for comparison.
