Premier’s culture can be hard to describe, but it’s the reason employees stay with us, according to Candace Hall, Corporate Director of Human Resources. At our fast-paced company, employee input is valued, opportunities for advancement exist, and our growth into new products and areas ensures the “Premier roller coaster”—as Candace puts it here—is always an exciting ride. And where else would you also discuss alien life and mermaids?

Three years ago, Ellie Kramer knew little about packaging. Today she is Customer Service Manager for Premier’s North Central Division, working closely with our different divisions and our vendors to find solutions for our customers. In a laugh-filled interview, she talks about her career progression, why she loves Premier’s culture, and getting through the craziness of peak (“OK, I deserve a Gucci bag for that”). And why she suspects her previous job was working for the Russian mob.

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As a college junior, Joe Cox began working at Premier when the company consisted of 15 employees in a gloomy tobacco warehouse. (His “job interview”: “When can you start?”) Twenty-six years later, he’s Corporate Resources Director of Premier, which has grown to 900 employees in more than 90 locations. In this interview, Joe reflects on serving in a variety of roles at a company where employees are pushed “really hard” while also being patted on the back. His advice to Premier newbies: Work hard, listen to your peers, and avoid the question “What happens when you hit this button?”

The explosion of e-commerce during the pandemic has coincided with supply chain issues making it more expensive to ship product. Billy and Zach interview Ryan Benningfield, Director of Corporate Operations for Premier, about the causes of high freight rates and how to lower them. Ryan recommends planning better, packing as much as possible on each truck, and turning to Premier’s extensive distribution network, since local shipping costs less than over-the-road. And if high freight rates aren’t scary enough—how about some “dad jokes” too?

Every year 3 billion packages are damaged or go missing. How can you avoid the cost of damaged packages, product returns, and negative public image? Billy and Zach discuss the rigors of Premier’s ISTA-certified testing, which ensures your package will survive dropping, stacking, extreme temperatures, and simulated—not “stimulated”—vibrations to arrive in good condition at your customer’s door.

Miguel Resendiz talks about his career progression, in four years, from temp worker to supervisor of Premier’s Chicago warehouse. Miguel says everyone’s opinion matters at Premier and anyone can advance if they work hard and take pride in their work. Also discussed: the challenges of peak, why “The Notebook” isn’t just a “chick flick,” and how being a soccer referee in his free time sometimes helps on the warehouse floor.

What’s the secret to running a successful IT department? Treating everyone like a valued customer and giving them great service, according to Mike King, Premier’s IT Director. In this career progression interview, Mike describes his path up from cleaning computer mouses to working out of a literal closet in a conference room to managing a stable, hardworking team in Premier’s fast-paced environment. Also discussed: The importance of “Matthew McConaughey hair” and why you might want to rethink eating 5 quesadillas at one sitting.

From fine paper to fine packaging: Meet Claudia Jacober, Premier’s new National Sales Director, Luxury Packaging. She and cohost Billy Watkins discuss how luxury packaging, with its soft-touch boxes, colorful designs, and magnet closures, creates a memorable unboxing experience for your customers. Claudia explains how your packaging should reflect and be an extension of your luxury brand and why you should choose Premier for your luxury packaging: our talented designers, great sourcing team, and supply chain solutions. “I think our customers would like to collaborate with the best … to come out with a premium package,” Claudia says. “We bring all that to the table.”

Did you know Premier works with 8 of the 10 largest ecommerce companies in the United States? We do! Zach Pearson explains how Premier can fulfill any company’s e-commerce needs: A supply chain target assessment, all the products we offer, and our experience in design, branding, and creating a memorable unboxing experience for the customer. “We customize things to you.”