ALZA Reviews

Pros

Alza is part of Johnson & Johnson. We had great benefits at a lower than average cost to employees. Because of the different technologies we used, it was a very interesting place to work. I would gladly work there again.

Cons

Since J&J purchased Alza, everything has been streamlined. While Alza used to be the largest private employer in town, that is not the case anymore.

Advice to Senior Management

It's been rather depressing over the last few years with a new leader every two years sent from the East Coast. Some of the leaders' families didn't even move to the area. If you don't believe enough in our plant to live here, why should we? Why should we listen when we know you're leaving in two years and not fully committed to us and our community?

Pros

Nice people
Nice working enviroment

Cons

senior management lacking good guidance
J&J

Advice to Senior Management

N/A

Pros

The pre-J&J days were more financially rewarding to employees. The original Alza provided a very good total compensation package which included stock options to ALL employees and an excellent stock purchase plan, which really helped motivate employees. J&J only provides the really good compensation perks to top management.

Cons

J&J did provide some good management technologies such as Process Excellence. However, I feel that a review of management outcomes over the time since J&J bought Alza would show that a "east coast (think big old school manufacturing)" vs "west coast (think innovation and high tech)" culture clash was a major motivator in the departure of most of the highly experienced Alza "long-timers", you can only do so much with a steady stream of new inexperienced people. The previous reviewers comment on the two-year rotation of senior managers from the east coast also hit the target spot on.

Advice to Senior Management

Next time J&J buys a high tech company make a better effort to retain the people and benefits that will keep the innovation going instead of staffing top management via two-year stints from the company headquarters in NJ and zeroxing the J&J corporate compensation plan.

Pros

product line, benefits, fitness centers, resources

Cons

johnson and johnson, Human resources, forced enterprise systems

Advice to Senior Management

don't take away the perks and benefits

Pros

I really enjoyed the opportunity afforded to work in a continuous learning environment. ALZA's use of Process Excellence tools provided outstanding development opportunities while improving business operations. The process excellence team was well-educated and possessed outstanding communications skills. I am an advocate for innovation, which made me a good fit for this organization. The production operators were always willing to learn and were a great team to work with.

Cons

A downside was ALZA's use of corporate supervision that often protected unproductive supervisors and employees. This structure often left a false impression of actual performance measures at the local plants. I believe a better plan is for promotions and layoffs to be decided at the local plants (where performance is observed) and decisions elevated to corporate levels.

Advice to Senior Management

My advice to senior management is to gain a better understanding of career succession planning and actively mentor top performers for career progression.

Pros

johnson and johnson. can transfer anywhere within jnj to retain seniority

Cons

GPSG johnson and johnson policy overrides local policies without looking at local standards and practices

Advice to Senior Management

benchmarking and leveraging does not always have to be looked at externally.

Pros

It is a great place to get pharmaceutical manufacturing experience. The products require more complicated process technology than other pharmaceuticals and they are interesting themselves. You are part of the Johnson & Johnson corporation so career opportunities are great if you are proactive, willing to relocate, and are a good performer in your job.

Cons

It is easy to get pigeon holed in a function or group, for example lab workers and process operators. The Vacaville location is far from metropolitan areas, but may be good for families to move there. The previous culture of ALZA before Johnson & Johnson has been wiped away and some people who have lingered may still be bitter.

Advice to Senior Management

Try to retain key talent by active career development opportunities. Reward talented individuals. Continue to offer people perks to offset the lower than standard salaries. Encourage more efficiency improvements.