Careers with Polymershapes

Why did I choose Polymershapes? Hmmm. What is it that you’re looking for in an occupation? Is it money, is it experience, is it new challenges or are you searching for something deeper – purpose. The reason I ask is simple, I was searching for the same meaning 12 years ago when I stumbled upon Polymershapes on Indeed.com. At that time I was thinking about occupational impact, I was thinking about occupational fit and most importantly, I was thinking about occupational fulfillment. If you find yourself staring outside the west-facing window of your cubicle wondering what an occupation with fit, impact and fulfillment feels like, have a listen to the following. Twelve years ago I started at a company called Polymershapes and didn’t have a clue what a performance plastic was. Was it plastic cutlery? Was it those bags that go over your dry cleaning? I remember I had just returned from backpacking in Europe and needed to generate some income quickly – did submitting a resume to Polymershapes ever turn out to be one of the luckiest days of my life. What I discovered was a job that developed into a life-altering career – the proverbial house to a home. I’ll assume you’re asking the same question I did when I walked through the door on day one, what’s a performance plastic? Imagine working on new bushings going into wind turbine development, high optic and coated materials that become the latest in heavy equipment window production, bullet resistant materials that keep many of our front line professionals safe or just being a part of the specification process for materials going into your favorite retailer. Imagine you get to do all this in a day and you get to do it with a great group of friends. Why did I choose to work at Polymershapes? I didn’t. Why did I choose to stay at Polymershapes? Because I wanted a career with fit, fulfillment and impact! Who wouldn’t want to change the world with a great group of friends!

One of my favorite things about working for Polymershapes is the company culture as a whole and at the branch level. Everyone I have had the opportunity to work with is focused on personal and professional growth and is so helpful and genuinely interested in assisting others in their development. I love working a sales role in the profit share model as well. It eliminates a lot of unhealthy internal competition that is typical in an individual commission based sales role. Everyone is truly working as a team and it makes things more efficient and provides a higher level of customer service that sets us significantly above our competition. The company has great benefits and is genuinely supportive of and encourages personal and professional development. There are always trainings and educational opportunities aimed at professional development that cover diverse topics and strategies such as product knowledge, sales techniques, and creating value for our customers.

One of the things that has impressed me most at Polymershapes is our model of local empowerment. With over 85 locations, each facility operates with significant autonomy, enabling us to make quick, tailored decisions that directly address the unique needs of our local customers and markets. This decentralized approach ensures a highly responsive, personalized service while still leveraging the collective strength, resources, and expertise of our entire network and centralized support teams. For me, it’s been the perfect balance: the freedom to act locally with the confidence of large-scale backing.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working at Polymershapes is having the backing of a large organization with local flexibility. It lets us move fast and truly partner with customers to develop solutions, not just supply material.

Polymershapes has been a perfect fit for me, especially because of the culture here in Milwaukee. The inside sales team works incredibly well together, and the dynamic with Lauren and Val has been a great addition. Jesse and Ben do a fantastic job creating a family-like environment where collaboration and friendly banter come naturally.

The culture at Polymershapes is absolutely energizing!! The levels of collaboration and professionalism are truly off the charts. What truly sets Polymershapes apart is our locally empowered teams with a fast response mentality along with our customer-first approach creating true partnerships with all our clients. The strength of our manufacturing partners with our tailored solutions and value-added capabilities sets us apart.

Polymershapes combines a strong team culture with local empowerment. The ability to move fast, add value locally, and build real customer relationships makes it a great place to work.

At Polymershapes, we have a strong culture of teamwork that connects management, sales, and warehouse staff. Everyone works together to share ideas and solve problems, which helps us serve our customers better. Local empowerment is important, as we encourage employees to make decisions that can improve their work and the company. This collaboration creates a friendly and supportive environment where everyone feels valued, and it helps us reach our goals more effectively. Together, we are building a positive workplace for all.

I chose Polymershapes because it was apparent from the beginning that there is an emphasis on hiring talent, integrity, and enthusiasm, and helping those people flourish. Local centers are empowered to make decisions that benefit the company and client in real time. This helps us win deals by telling clients “YES!” more often. We emphasize partnerships with customers and encourage them to lean on us for the most important projects. The Polymershapes culture focuses on removing obstacles to my success, and I can do the same for my team!

My decision to join the Polymershapes family was an easy one for me. From my very first interview with Tanner Larson, I was embraced and given refreshing honesty that is rare. The company has done a great job hiring good people, which has created a culture like no other. No matter who I reach out to, everyone is supportive and willing to help. The same approach is taken with our customers. Being apart of a company that prioritizes relationships with their customers and not just having transactions is important to me. Having a sales structure where inventory aligns with the market allows me to maintain and grow those relationships because we can deliver what customers need, when they need it. Polymershapes has provided me with the recipe and ingredients to be successful here, now it is up to me to chef it up and grow.

I am a 41-year veteran of the plastics industry and have worked for both large and small companies. What makes Polymershapes different is that it combines large-company strength with a small-company feel. Our location has the ability to decide what type of business to pursue and how to pursue it. That local decision making allows us to align our team’s knowledge and skillset with the specific needs of our customer base. Empowerment is not limited to management. Everyone’s perspective matters. Polymershapes is a forward-thinking company. Rather than simply reacting to market conditions, we focus on anticipating trends and customer needs. We invest in the right people, equipment, and inventory to stay ahead. That mindset is a big part of why we are North America’s largest plastics distributor.

The reason why I love working at Polymershapes so much is because of the people – both our customers and my coworkers. I’ve stayed with the company for so long (30+ years!) due to a really supportive leadership team – one that that gives me room to grow, teaches me, and encourages me to better myself. The combination of these things – the people and the environment, is why I want to be here!

The major reason I’ve stayed with Polymershapes for more than 38 years is the incredible team around me. Working together to meet our customers’ requirements and tackle their challenges has driven our success — not just as a team, but for our customers as well. Over the years, I’ve also built close relationships and friendships with both customers and vendors, which have been extremely rewarding. They’re a big part of what has made this journey so meaningful.

What made me decide to join Polymershapes was how clear it was from the start that the company truly values both its employees and its customers. That commitment is grounded in a simple but powerful principle: “Do the right thing.” It is reflected in the way decisions are made every day. One of the most rewarding aspects of working here is the ability to operate within a decentralized model. It allows me to lead with a high level of ownership, make decisions that best serve our local market, and build strong, lasting customer relationships. Polymershapes also encourages initiative and innovation, rewards hard work, and provides the tools needed to succeed. It is a place where you feel valued, empowered, and excited to grow.