April 19, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Pride Neon Sign Solutions.

The last new employee at Pride Neon Sign Solutions wasn’t exactly new.

“He’d worked here for about 10 years, left and worked somewhere else for 20 years and decided to come back,” said Mitch Menke, vice president of operations.

“We get so much of that, which does tell you something about working here. People will go somewhere else, then realize it’s a better fit at Pride.”

Whether you’re a new or returning employee, there are multiple opportunities this spring to join the Pride Neon team.

“We’re a family-owned business that just celebrated our 74th anniversary, and the culture here at Pride Neon is just that – a family,” said Bret Menke, vice president of sales.

“The three generations of our family have realized the importance of the relationships we have with each of our employees. We deeply care about them and value their commitment and dedication to the company. There is a mutual respect amongst us that is earned by being fair, flexible and providing a work environment that allows us to go home safely to our families.”

Is this starting to sound like a place for you or someone you know? Here’s a closer look at the available opportunities.

Mechanical assembler

This is a job for someone who loves to see the results of a day’s work.

If you have a background in welding, construction, assembling or carpentry, you could be a fit for the role of mechanical assembler.

“It helps if someone comes in with strong welding skills, but we have brought in people without prior training, and through our system, we can cross-train in different areas and find the best fit,” Mitch Menke said. “If you have painting experience or electrical background, that also could be helpful.”

An ideal candidate in this position is someone who:

• Follows designs and drawings to accurate assemble signs.
• Utilizes hand tools.
• Performs quality checks to meet high-quality standards.
• Maintains a safe work area.
• Easily adapts to changing workflows and deadlines.
• Works accurately with attention to detail.

“We want somebody who comes in with a good attitude, is punctual and willing to learn,” Mitch Menke said. “And we have a lot of people who have been here numerous years as well as new team members, so it’s a good mix.”

To learn more, click here.

Wrap installer

Want to see your work literally driving all over town? Pride Neon’s best-in-class graphics division is hiring a vehicle-wrap installer.

“We’re looking for someone who has industry experience and wants to take their career to a new level,” said Brett Boltjes, lead salesman of the wraps and graphics department.

A wrap installer works with vinyl graphic wraps on cars, vans, trucks, box trucks and transit buses.

“It’s precise work,” Boltjes said. “So we’re looking for someone who will bring the proper techniques to deliver these projects in a timely, accurate fashion. We set a high standard with our work and need someone who shares our commitment.”

An ideal candidate for this position brings:

• Strong time-management skills.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• Strong ability to work with your hands.
• Great communication skills.
• Ability to learn new techniques and skills.
• Willingness to accept feedback.
• Ability to logically solve problems with limited supervision.
• Strong attention to detail.

“We’re looking for someone who brings a positive attitude and is comfortable in a variety of situations,” Boltjes said. “You’ll be working on multiple projects at once and constantly learning, so someone who thrives in that kind of setting is going to be a good fit for this team.”

To learn more, click here. 

Outside sales team

Pride Neon is constantly growing, and the outside sales team plays a critical role in building new relationships.

An ideal candidate in this position is:

• Confident.
• Independent.
• A self-starter with a competitive drive.
• Engaging with people in an outgoing, enthusiastic way.
• Someone with a sense of urgency.
• Someone who can take responsibility for making quick and accurate decisions based on available information.
• Someone who works efficiently at a robust pace.

“We are selling high-quality signage, but we also want to provide a top-notch customer experience and want salespeople that are able to provide that consistently,” Bret Menke said.

You’ll be supported by a team of seasoned professionals to help you walk through any technical details of the role.

“Being a good fit for a sales position at Pride Neon requires a bit of selflessness,” Bret Menke added.

“Our sales organization is built on the core value of collaboration. The team understands that individual contribution and success is important; however, the team realizes the ultimate goal is to ensure the company exceeds its monthly, quarterly and annual revenue goals. It is a true team effort that ensures our collective success.”

To learn more, email [email protected].

The Pride Neon experience

No matter what your role at Pride Neon, you’ll experience the family-based, friendly, helpful culture that has been built here for decades.

New employees are introduced to a broad range of trades within the company before their position is finalized “to make sure they aren’t missing their calling in a trade they had never even considered,” Bret Menke said.

“And our compensation and benefits package as a whole stack up against any in the region.”

The company enjoys bringing the team together, whether it’s a catered lunch, volunteer event, company picnic, chili cook-off or Secret Santa activity.

“Because we’re family-based, all the owners are right there, always available. We’re not just running it from an office,” Mitch Menke said.

“We’re out there, we’re hands-on with them every day. … We want work to be enjoyable. We see a lot of people hanging out after work, which is nice. They came in not knowing anybody, and they’ve made great friends because it’s that good of a working environment.”

The approach has led to “extremely low turnover for a company in our industry. I feel our culture has a lot to do with that,” Bret Menke said.

Nearly half of all employees have been with the company more than 20 years.

If the jobs currently available aren’t a fit for you, Pride Neon also offers the chance to start a career in the fields of graphic design, service and installation, sales/marketing and administration. Reach out to Bret Menke for an introduction anytime at [email protected].

“In our 74-year history, we have not laid off a single employee because we focus on finding the right employees and managing responsible growth,” Bret Menke said.

“When you commit to Pride Neon, Pride Neon commits to you.”

Signs lead to success: Pride Neon builds on decades of quality in evolving family-owned business