Puritan Yardman

Puritan Yardman

All of us being students here in Southern California, we likely all know one flavor - the unmistakable taste of an In-N-Out burger. It may seem out of the blue to talk about hamburgers at this moment but stick with me. Envision an In-N-Out Double-Double. Regardless of personal preferences for toppings, every burger shares one constant that often goes unnoticed yet is essential to the iconic flavor - the bun. However, unlike most fast-food restaurants, In-N-Out's bun contains zero preservatives, ensuring the quality of every burger sold. Now, it might seem weird I know this much about a burger bun, but I gained this knowledge because of my role last summer. I had the opportunity to work for Puritan bakery, as a yardman and a part-time member of their sales team. This might not sound like the most glorious position, and most people probably don’t know what a yardman even does, so that’s where I’m going to begin.

At Puritan Bakery, the role of a yardman falls outside traditional boundaries. Yardmen play a crucial role in the bakery’s day-to-day operations. They work tirelessly in shifts covering every second of the 24-hour day, ensuring the bakery's heart never skips a beat. Each yardman handles their own critical tasks, from overseeing the quality of bread as it exits the ovens, to the perfect wrapping and organizing of each batch for distribution. Their responsibilities also extend beyond the bakery walls as they take the fresh breads, from a huge range of product types that span from classic Texas toast to everything bagels, directly to the tables of many local restaurants.

Puritan prides itself on the freshness of its product, a standard made possible by eliminating preservatives and emphasizing quick delivery. Daily, local restaurants across the Greater Los Angeles area place orders for their preferred products, confident that they will receive them within hours, guaranteeing the freshness. Puritan's client list includes the likes of Five Guys, Islands, Tams, and Umami Burger, to name a few. Once a team processes an order, a yardman finds the products in the yard. Finishing with then transferring them to a delivery van. Once in the van, the yardman drives the product directly to the restaurants.

Over the course of my time at Puritan, I identified these as the most important responsibilities of a yardman:

• Cooperative

• Active

• Sociable

As you keep reading, I’ll help you better understand how yardmen use these daily.

Cooperative

As yardmen, we understand that we are a piece of a larger puzzle. All members’ efforts are critical to ensure maximum success. This means working smoothly with others, anticipating the team's needs, and stepping up to help whenever necessary. Despite occasionally facing language barriers, we developed effective communication strategies that transcended words. Occasionally, while I was learning the ropes of the factory, I would find myself without any work of my own. To combat this, I would individually go to other team members and ask them what I could do to help them. This not only helped build relationships, but on busy days, I found them doing the same for me when I would be slightly confused. Through gestures and demonstrations, we ensure no message gets lost in translation, reinforcing the unity of the team, and ensuring that everyone stays on the same page.

Active

A yardman's day consists of constant movement. We must stay constantly active, navigating the warehouse to monitor products, manage inventory, and prepare orders for distribution. This constant activity is vital to maintain the speed required to meet the bakery's delivery schedules. This doesn’t mean we’re constantly speeding around the warehouse, but rather that everyone is always working. In our world, wasted time is not a luxury - every moment presents an opportunity for action, even if you have completed your job, there’s always something more you can do.

Sociable

The attribute of sociability is crucial for a yardman, especially when it comes to client interaction. When distributing the products to clientele, it’s important to always wear a smile. Every interaction reflects the Puritan brand, which constantly strives for perfection and satisfaction. In the event of an order issue or if a product fails to meet Puritan's quality standards, it falls on us to navigate these challenges proficiently. Whether it’s helping provide a refund, offering complimentary products, or arranging for an expedited replacement, effective communication is always key. Our ability to resolve issues not only reinforces the bakery's standards but also maintains and strengthens client relationships.