Pillsbury

Farm Products

GENERAL INFO

Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN
Company stats

NEWS AND UPDATES

Vault's Scoop

Uppers

Growing diversity;Competitive pay;Flex hours

Downers

Chilly weather;Dearth of women in the top ranks;Hours can be onerous

ABOUT THIS COMPANY:

Getting a rise
Getting a rise

Chubby, giggly and ever-pokeable, the Pillsbury Doughboy has become one of the most easily recognizable American icons. The little guy has made a lot of dough for the Minneapolis-based company. Although the Pillsbury name is normally associated with rolls, buns and other ''poppin' fresh'' bread products, the company's plentiful pantry also stores cookies, pizzas and side dishes. Pillsbury sells a host of familiar brands such as Hungry Jack biscuits, Old El Paso Mexican Foods, Progresso soups and Italian foods, and Totino's snack products. An apparent master of fantastical, food-promoting creatures, Pillsbury also owns the rights to the Jolly Green Giant. In 2001, Diageo PLC, the parent company of Pillsbury, sold the Doughboy and his baked goods to packaged foods industry giant General Mills, Inc. for a sweet $10 billion.

Smart cookie

Pillsbury came into existence when Charles Pillsbury and his father George purchased an interest in a floundering Minneapolis flourmill in 1869. As they amassed more capital and momentum, the duo built what was then the largest flourmill on the Mississippi River. In 1869, they launched the company's namesake flour under the banner Pillsbury's BEST. Although English investors bought the company in 1889, the Pillsbury family kept management privileges; they bought back the company in 1923 and began trading stock four years later.

From the Community

REVIEWS

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SALARIES

Pillsbury salary & compensation reviews include all signing and year-end bonuses, vacation time and other perks and reimbursements that make up total compensation.

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SURVEY SAYS

Roll model

Most insiders speak fondly of their experiences at the poppin' fresh dough company. "Pay is competitive" because "the company is competing in a metro area with very low unemployment," says one. "I am very happy here," notes another. "If you are truly interested in Pillsbury, I would recommend contacting the HR department, watching the paper, and keeping your eyes on changes. It is a growing company with a lot of potential."

The big chill

In terms of culture, "there is a 'Minnesota Nice' flavor to the people - friendly, but not necessarily warm - especially according to folks who have moved to the Midwest from either coast." Minnesota, admittedly, "is not the most diverse place on earth" and "some people have a problem with the weather." Still, Pillsbury's "relaxed atmosphere" is enticing, as is the dress code. Dress at the company is "business casual," with "the occasional pair of jeans showing up." Another insider reveals that "there is a significant work-and-family effort" under way. "A number of folks work part-time, job share, home office, and flex hours."

Diversity 101

"Work hours are pretty typical for a large company," divulges another Pillsbury contact. There are "not many 80-hour weeks," but "there not many 40-hour weeks either." Although Pillsbury touts diversity as a priority, a few insiders report that the culture "can be challenging" for those who don't fit "a specific type." Nevertheless, "the senior staff, directors, and managers try very hard to incorporate diversity into the environment."

Most insiders agree that the status of women is "above average" for a large, multinational company. "Although the company doesn't currently have a board-level female, there are a number of women in key positions at the next level," says one insider. "I think part of [Pillsbury's] diversity is due to the fact that our primary customers are women." As far as other minorities, "there is the PRIDE Network for gay and lesbian employees, the Asian Exchange for Asian American employees, and a group for African American employees."

DISCUSSIONS

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Getting Hired

Tips from the inside

How to hook up with Pillsbury
How to hook up with Pillsbury

Job postings for positions at Pillsbury can be found through the General Mills corporate web site, http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/careers/index.aspx. General Mills recruits both undergrads and grad/MBA students for full-time positions in engineering, brand design, marketing, finance and various other areas. The company's 2005 recruiting schedule is posted on the site. General Mills also participates in a number of recruiting fairs held by professional organizations (including the National Black MBA Association and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs) to help fulfill its needs for experienced talent and has a searchable database of positions at all levels posted on its site.

When company managers receive a resume from a candidate they're interested in, the candidate is contacted and a phone interview is scheduled. Here's a tip: The company web site advises candidates to take a look at the site to prepare for the interview. If the initial phone interview goes well, an on-site interview will be schedule. Candidates typically get a response from the company within two weeks.

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