Ralcorp Reviews

I have been working at Ralcorp full-time

Pros – The culture is one that really reflects a good work/life balance. Always opportunities to learn new things.

Cons – The salary ranges could be better. Focus is on being lean (extremely lean) which leads to underperformance in some programs. More investment in infrastructure up front for large projects and implementations would lead to better long term success.

Advice to Senior Management – Less focus on short term bumps and more focus on investing upfront to hopefully operate correctly for years going forward.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at Ralcorp full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – I am overpaid and constantly asked to "dumb it down"

Cons – Everyone is incompetent that has worked there longer than 2 years

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at Ralcorp full-time for more than 10 years

Pros – salary fair, PTO decent but not great, benefits are decent. Some employee's care about their jobs

Cons – Plant management and upper management is deaf to employee's, They do not want to hear what is truly going on. Does not invest in equipment and Obsolescence of plant electronics.

Advice to Senior Management – Listen to your employee's. Maybe it will be better under Conagra.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

I worked at Ralcorp as an intern for less than a year

Pros – Free food samples to take home
safety

Cons – food manufacturing
dirty place... typical of plant environment

Advice to Senior Management – not sure... i was an intern

I have been working at Ralcorp full-time

Pros – Good work life balance. Avg Salary. Freedom to explore.

Cons – Poor employee development programs, promotions almost non-existent.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at Ralcorp

Pros – Great people, good work-life balance, able to contribute and make a difference

Cons – Restructuring from this summer was poorly designed and executed. Very demoralizing to all including those retained.

Advice to Senior Management – Doesn't matter anymore as will become part of ConAgra

I have been working at Ralcorp full-time for more than a year

Pros – Pay is decent, benefits are typical of your average FORTUNE company

Cons – Highly political work environment. Everyone seems to be a snake and will stab a fellow coworker in the back as soon as s/he turn around.

Advice to Senior Management – Reorganize middle management. They lack the skills needed to do their jobs.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at Ralcorp full-time for more than 10 years

Pros – Company mission is clearly stated: growth through acquisitions, keep a diverse product portfolio, and increase the overall store-brand market share. It's a smart industry to be involved with during hard economic times.

Benefits are good; 401K matching up to 6%, PTO, formalized annual review & salary adjustment process. Turnover is historically very low and many people work their entire careers at Ralcorp.

Location is fun; right next to Busch Stadium, City Garden, Kiener Plaza and within walking distance of the Arch. Not much expectation for company socialization on personal time.

Cafeteria, convenience store, atrium and bank lobby give some nice onsite comforts.

There are a lot of great people who work at Ralcorp. If you are smart, play a decent game of politics, have tolerance for imperfect people, and have a little luck on your side, your time at the company will be rewarding, memorable, and beneficial, and you'll add some great contacts to your network.

Cons – Politics drive decision making.

The company has grown more quickly than it could handle, and there's now a level of chaos that risks major errors in execution. There are many more concurrent projects than are possible to accomplish with available resources, and planning and status reporting doesn't always consider current workload and deadline commitments, so be prepared to stick up for yourself.

Training employees is low priority.

There is little enforcement of company policies, which has led to a decline in atmosphere (violations of standards of conduct, sharing of inappropriate humor and photos, derogatory jokes about people groups like women and minorities, physical intimidation complete with display of various weapons). Also, HR has been known to casually share confidential information inappropriately, including medical situations, with other employees. To be fair, there have been recent org changes, so perhaps this will improve.

Productivity relies on relatively few great performers and it's not uncommon to witness long stretches of playtime (not just appropriate relationship building conversations) involving consultants and employees alike. If you are a strong contributor, you will become a victim of your success (to quote Dave Skarie former co-CEO).

The office is bland with dark hallways and dim bathrooms despite the beautiful downtown location. A huge renovation is planned, but the new space will limit or remove access to helpful features (fewer convenient spaces for loud collaborative or private coaching conversations, fewer whiteboards, limited document storage and desk space). On the bright side, the addition of white noise will help keep the distraction level down.

You'll pay 1% of your salary in city tax, and another $1200 per year in parking.

Advice to Senior Management – Put business decisions ahead of politics.

Invest in stabilizing the company's foundation before adding more acquisitions (identify your bona fide talent with business acumen, rationalize projects, deploy and enforce best practices and reduce tolerance for assumptions, and address ethics and policy violations).

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at Ralcorp full-time for less than a year

Pros – People within the same department work well with each. Benefits are ok for management but excellent for hourly employees.

Cons – In need of a technology overhaul...everything is paper driven. All departments work against each other. Company has no real identity. Management attemps to build on failed processes.

Advice to Senior Management – If it doesn't work, dont add more steps.

I have been working at Ralcorp full-time for more than 10 years

Pros – Great place to work - supportive culture, low turnover

Cons – The challenges of being a large, publicly traded company present obvious pressures.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend