Suburban Propane hiring event targets drivers, techs, CSRs

The human resources department at Whippany, New Jersey-based Suburban Propane was the driving force behind the company’s first national hiring event, with local teams on the front lines working to attract high-quality talent, says President and CEO Michael Stivala.

Suburban Propane’s national hiring event spanned 47 locations over 22 states to promote openings for drivers, service techs and CSRs. Photo: iStock.com/Urupong

Suburban held the event on a Friday and Saturday in September at 47 locations in 22 states. The company promoted openings for drivers, service technicians and customer service representatives, and received more than 400 applications.

“Our biggest hiring is around drivers and service technicians,” Stivala says. “In this environment, especially with the movement of product in a good economy, the competition for drivers is pretty intense.”

Suburban has committed to hiring military veterans, whose training in operational and managerial tasks makes them a natural fit in the propane industry, Stivala says. The company also promotes an apprenticeship program directed at candidates who are interested in a career as a driver or service technician.

With companies challenged to fill open positions, Stivala says it’s just as important for companies to retain their top talent. Suburban notes that 34 percent of its 3,200-plus employees have been with the company for 15 years or more.

Suburban works to retain its employees, Stivala says, by creating a family-oriented culture. It also provides career development and movement opportunities, given the company’s size and scope, as well as health and welfare plans and sound retirement packages.

“It becomes harder in an economy that is as good as it has been for the past couple of years,” Stivala says. “You have competition for bringing in new people, but also just making sure that you are providing a good work environment and place where people don’t want to leave.”