Kerry Group Reviews

Pros

much freedo and /flexibility in moving forward

Cons

lack of communication from top to bottom

Pros

Experience gained is excellent, there are a lot of opportunities to learn and grow a valuable skill set so if you are someone who is a go getter and can learn wt little or no training, this is a good thing.

Cons

Unless an employee is wiling to make political alliances, the money just isn't there. My experience, as I look around me is that this is a "pay for popularity" and not a "pay for performance" company.

Advice to Senior Management

Start monitoring your employees for performance and promoting accordingly. also, compensation should be fair and equitable with market rates before you can expect a level of employee commitment that will lead Kerry to the position of global envy for both profits and as a desired place of employemnt

Pros

Great facility
Great holiday parties

Cons

No set processes
Assigned projects are never used
No development program for interns
Poor communication from management
No clear expectations for interns
Management only interested in pleasing the next level above them
Cycle through interns with no expectations of staying with the company
Given work that no one else wants to do

Advice to Senior Management

Better Communication between employees and other departments

Pros

Great opportunities for new grads.

Cons

Long hours, no communication, closed culture, not allowed to make decisions. Rules are very different for men versus women. Limited opportunities for professional development. People are not considered to be of value. Repeated low percentage raises without any recognition for the countless hours worked. $$$ over ethics.

Advice to Senior Management

Culture needs to change. Very negative environment to work in. Recognize more than accountants with opportunities.

Pros

Company has a great, modern office building with on-site fitness center and cafeteria. Great Christmas party and summer picnic. Growing company in stable industry.

Cons

Communication is terrible. No formal policies. Very inconsistent. No job stability due to constant change and reorganization. VERY POLITICAL. 60-70 hours a week is normal and expected at all levels. Treated as a number. Very high turnover.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to employees. Treat employees with respect. Empower managers to make decisions. Encourage a work life balance with some flexibility.. Provide some training for managers.

Pros

Nice people
State of the art building and equipment
Value work/life balance
Solid financial position
Attractive compensation for new grads

Cons

Prefer to hire new grads and let go senior members to keep salaries down
no career development opportunities
lateral promotions
very hierarchical and political
promotions based on politics. not performance
little consideration to improper behavior at workplace

Advice to Senior Management

Reward employees for their actual performance

Pros

Unlimited potential
Challenging work
Diversity of position

Cons

Lots of travel
Very fast pace environment with long working days

Pros

Growing company so there are plenty of opportunities for advancement. Enjoyed working with some of my co-workers. Good travel per-diem.

Cons

Expectation is to work tons of hours, regardless of your productivity. Company is run by accountants and so $$ is all that matters in the end. Good ol' boys club. Pay is only OK.

Advice to Senior Management

Show all your employees respect and understand they have lives outside of work. Anyone with talent gets over-worked until they leave while losers get a free pass.

Pros

One of the best reasons to work at Kerry would have to be it's size and the perceived notion that it is a "well-oiled" function operation. If you're looking for growth opportunities it seems as it would be an ideal choice. They have locations all over the world so growth seems like it would be an obvious. If becoming part of the stereotypical Corporate America is in your cards, then Kerry is the place for you. It's a great place to have on your resume, but that's about it. It's probably a great choice if living the American dream in the middle of nowhere is high on your list.

Cons

Communication, Location, Personnel, Management, Internal Structure, Organization, the list goes on. Unfortunately the downsides of working at Kerry outweigh the good. This is a problem on all levels. Besides the fact that their corporate HQ are in Beloit, WI, their organization and professionalism lack in more ways than one. It is impersonal beyond belief, and from my experiences there is zero communication. Each department head is so focused on pleasing the next person up the latter that the quality of output suffers tremendously. Teamwork does not exist in this company. I've worked for several Fortune 500s and never seen such disorganization under one roof. Departments do not communicate so there is an unnecessary amount of double and triple work. If you want to sit and collect a paycheck in the middle of nowhere then this is the place for you. For people who are goal oriented and focused on results you may need to look elsewhere.

Advice to Senior Management

My advice to Management would be to start with the most basic understanding of what Management means. In order to accomplish a common goal it is important to be efficient and effective. Create a positive work environment and remember that communication in key. Work off that and the rests will fall into place. Best of luck.

Pros

Own multiple projects and learn systematic approach to food development. Talented people with willingness to learn and grow. Excellent opportunities to meet and work with people from every top food company in the world. Access to other Kerry scientists throughout the world.

Cons

Incredibly negative feedback approach, and casually state "oh, we manage by sharp elbows" and "I just don't give positive feedback, so assume no news is good news. You'll know when I'm unhappy." Consistently over-promise capabilities to customers, then expect scientists to resolve. When experienced managers and scientists leave, they are replaced with new grads - leading to new scientists handling projects and being sent to plants without enough training or understanding of product lines.

Advice to Senior Management

Bring in leadership from organizations that are known to create happy, ethical environments, and listen to them. No transparency between business units and corporate leads to bad business decisions and needs to be changed - and it won't happen with current BU leaders. Corporate culture starts at the top, and stern unpleasantness and completely ignoring people when passing in the building aren't characteristics of good leaders.