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| Tracy Baune has been with Schwan's for more than 30 years. |
Baune is proud of the crew she has built
Jan. 9, 2019 — Production Supervisor Tracy Baune has been part of the Schwan’s team since she was a teenager. As one can imagine, Tracy has seen a lot in her 30-plus year career with the company. She is the latest person featured in the “Schwan’s People You Need to Know” series, which explores the day-to-day operations and journeys of employees all across Schwan’s.
Tracy’s journey with Schwan’s initially began as a summer job (for six years) at the ice cream plant in Marshall, Minnesota, as a frozen-treat packer while in college. After
graduation, she returned to the ice cream plant where she stayed to this day.
She recently took time to tell us more about her journey at Schwan’s. Here is what she had to say:
Q: How have you grown since working at Schwan’s?
A: One of my colleagues said it best as he was leaving for another job. He said it was very hard to leave here because this is where he grew up. I feel the same way. I started as a teenager and was a little wild and crazy at times and may have pushed authority around some when I could. As I grew older, I learned how to take care of people on the lines and to be of help to my co-workers. Now as I mature further, I see myself in some of the younger ones that are starting and realize that I need to help them mature into employees that will help keep the company thriving.
Q: What is a typical day like in your role?
A: I start each day out by getting results ready from the previous day. I take the information to the morning meeting with the crew. After the morning crew meeting, my days will vary depending on products we are running and how well they are running. I try to check in with each department to make sure they have everything they need for the day. After that, I keep busy helping out where needed and making sure that everything is going as it should. In the afternoons, I will make out all the paperwork that is needed for the next day and check in to see if anyone needs something to make the next day successful.
Q: What are you passionate about in your job?
A: I am passionate about making a quality ice-cream product that people will love to eat. I also am passionate about keeping the people I work with satisfied with their jobs. I listen to a lot of them and try to help them out to the best of my abilities.
Having done most of the jobs at the plant helps because I can step in and help wherever needed throughout the day.
Q: What do our company vision and values mean to you?
A: I believe in Marvin’s vision. I want to work in a company that is willing to help you out when needed. A company that values what you do on a day-to-day basis. I try to demonstrate these same things daily with my crew. I know most of my crew’s families from talking to them, and I try to be there when they need me. I am willing to help out on the line whenever needed and am willing to do even the unpleasant jobs. I believe my crew knows that about me and that is why they are willing to help me out as well. The longevity of my crew is around 15 years. I’ve gotten a few new employees this year, but we don’t have much turnover in my department. It’s nice.
Q: We often talk about working as “one Schwan’s team.” What does that mean to you?
A: Being willing to step in and help wherever needed and doing the best job you can do.
Q: What do you like best about the culture?
A: I like how at the plant we are all willing to work together and help each other out – most of the time without asking. I work with three other supervisors, and we all watch out for each other. If one is having a bad day in production, the others will step in and try to help solve the issue, or at least help them clean up.
Q: What are you most proud of in your career with Schwan’s?
A: I am most proud of my crew. They are hard working, dedicated and caring people. I wouldn’t trade any of them. They back me up just like I back them up. They are proud of making quality products, and it truly bothers them when we have bad days. I would like to think that I had a little bit to do with that.
Q: What would you tell someone considering a career with Schwan’s Company?
A: I would tell them that Schwan’s is a stable place to work. You will be expected to carry your own weight and be productive daily. You will get to work with ice cream and that is great.
