HOVENSA Reviews

Pros

Excellent pay and lots of opportunities to advance. Unfortunately will be shutting down the refinery and converting to a Terminal.

Cons

Unfortunately will be shutting down the refinery and converting to a Terminal. I hope it will succeed as a terminal.

Advice to Senior Management

Well it doesn't matter anymore cause its closing but a lot a bad decisions were made which contributed to its closing.

Pros

Hovensa is a big Refinery that exposes you to many different technologies. You gain experience real fast if you are in management good graces and are given the right exposure.

Cons

Overworked and understaffed. Preferential treatment is obvious with some managers. There's really no development program and advancement options are very limited.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat employees fairly and equally.

Pros

Close proximity to home. Have met some wonderful individuals. Great learning experience altogether.

Cons

Prejudice. Management gets all the perks, while the employees on the lower level performs the hard work daily and are treated poorly.

Advice to Senior Management

Management does not respond to feedback. We tried on many occasions but they seem to know better.

Pros

The pay, the area, diversity of the island and the exopsure to different cultures. The abundance of different units and technology.

Cons

The island is isolated and the quality of life may not be what is expected. The refinery culture is one of oppression and reactiveness. The safety programs change often.

Advice to Senior Management

A refinery should be run by people who are experts in running a refinery.

Pros

Great salary and benefits even at entry level or recruitment out of a university.
Plenty of positions available for advancement and to gain new skills
Island life (pro and con)

Cons

Island life (pro and con)
Well entrenched procedures and culture, can be frustrating for certain personality types
Questionable safety record in old process units (most have been shut down since I left)

Pros

Good salary for professionals. Good benefits including flex time, housing onsite or monthly housing stipend, annual cost of living stipend. Good location based on weather and beauty.

Cons

Significant issue is improper or lack of effective communication from all areas of the organization. Lack of or ineffective career development programs including lack of mentorship. Unfair practices in promotions and/or career opportunities. Vindictive attitude of senior leadership.

Other cons are severe financial issues including major lost profits with limited drive to change culture of low reliability of equipment and infrastructure.

Limited accountability for actions of employees including all levels of the organization.

Advice to Senior Management

Major leadership changes at the senior level should be implemented. Provide more opportunities for internal advance and development. Clearly communicate organizational strategies to employees honestly and openly.

Pros

Well compensated, pays housing allowance for exempt positions fringe benefits include reimbursment for education for two kids.

Cons

Non functioning biased feedback system from managers, no life work balance company has expectation that yor job comes first and family second.

Advice to Senior Management

Practice what you preach , company values spell I CARE.

Pros

If you like Caribbean maybe it's worth trying. This is the only way to make some decent living in the area. Pension (vested after 5 years); 401 K upon hiring with 6% company match; medical (blue Cross Blue Shield BUT you must pay first 2500 / 5500 for family. Then the insurance will cover 85%); dental. 9/80 work schedules for the office staff. Company housing if you are grade 8 or above; housing allowance if you prefer to live outside the camp ( $2,200 and above ). If you decide to live in the camp you must become a Fire Brigade member.

Cons

The company is very, very top heavy. The information is on "need to know" basis and goes one way only. I had NONE one-on-one meetings with direct supervisors to discuss issues or concerns unless i initiate it and then i become troublemaker. Performance management and development opportunities is based upon that relationship, rather than on an objective evaluation of ability or suitability.

Advice to Senior Management

Too many changes in a short period of time. It leaves the impression that the management does not really know what it wants.

Pros

There are many benefits and lots of room to move up within the company. HOVENSA is a large company with a lot of positions, no matter what your profession or major. From Engineering to Process Tech and Human Resources. They also have very competitive pay rates even in entry level positions. You can learn alot every day and if you enjoy learning you should give it a try just for the experience. Senior Management s very friendly and communicate on a personal level with everyone. You could say we operate on a first name basis with everyone including the President of the Company, Larry Kupfer who comes down to the different areas to review your work and give you praise when your department has been doing well.

Cons

You basically give up your personal life to work in Operations

Advice to Senior Management

Allow communication without consequence, its the only way to learn from your mistakes