PepsiCo Reviews

Pros

Level of investment in research and training is above normal.

Cons

The organization seems to be constantly running daily fire drills.

Pros

Overall PepsiCo is a high energy, fast paced environment with a true fighter spirit and drive for results. I think that is what makes it an "exciting" place to work (albeit it some excitement is really a mask for chaos!)

Cons

Because of it's extreme drive for results, however, so many decisions are made with only the short term results in mind, regardless of how it can negatively impact the future. That strategy has never been sustainable, and is definitely an indication of the lukewarm results we are seeing now.

Pros

Great organization with respect to training and work environment

Cons

Reorganization replaces experienced people with recent college graduates

Advice to Senior Management

Value people who work hard and give the company years of dedication instead of always looking for recent graduates to hire

Pros

Good pay for little work

Cons

True dog eat dog corporate world

Advice to Senior Management

Don't reward the low performers, challenge employees to be better

Pros

Intellectually engaging environment with smart folks

Cons

Promotion tilted too heavily towards the D&I agenda

Advice to Senior Management

Keep going but don't ignore the majority

Pros

Some good opportunities but only if you have a "sponsor" who is in senior management.
OK compensation.

Cons

Promotions not typically given due to capability or subject matter knowledge. Mostly based upon who is the pushiest to get his/her agenda done.
Many bullies, much like high school.
Bad benefits.

Advice to Senior Management

Most of the issues are created at your level

Pros

Solid brands in a Fortune 500 company.

Cons

Company acts like it is going out of business which hurts morale.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus more on giving the consumer value and less on the non sustainable cost cutting that destroys morale. Consider expanding products into other high margin products that are similar to core brands such as dried cereals and boxed cookies/crackers. Insider moving the company from just margin growth to total profit growth.

Pros

Smart, hardworking people. Co-workers are the best I've had in my career--always willing to help out. Compensation is good.

Cons

Senior management is incompetent and has no accountability for their own mistakes. Zero employee empowerment, everyone just has to do what they're told. Constant turnover in many groups due to working atmosphere.

Advice to Senior Management

Give power back to your employees. We're smart and we have experience. Let us use them. Require all potential new hires to take a Myers-Briggs so we can weed out anyone with narcissistic personality disorder (and take one yourself--you might learn a few things).

Pros

The dynamic nature of the DSD business will put you in a position to learn and gain experience in everything from marketing and finance to people management and customer relations. Also, Pepsi attracts great talent and genuine, good people who are passionate about the business.

Cons

Resources: Pepsi has cut back so much that the resources necessary to complete simple day-to-day activities are inadequate. Critical information is often late coming from company decision makers so I find myself constantly needing to apologize to my accounts for things that are outside of my control.
Leadership: Can someone PLEASE just make a decision?! There is the absolute possibility that we might guarantee something in the future. You can pretty much count on it.
Training: My multi-million dollar accounts totaled more than 50% of my locations business. I received NO training, on anything, until 1 year and 7 months from my start date. It's a great place to learn from your mistakes!
Technology: My company issued phone can't send/receive text messages, can't take photos (necessary with this position), and is just slightly smaller than Michael Douglas's 'brick' in the original Wall Street movie.
Work/Work Balance: There is no 'life' in this equation. I can work 15hr days, 7 days a week, and still be buried.
Meetings: The corporate meeting -- to support meetings with sub-committees that need to regroup because individuals often need to take the discussion off line so that details can be confirmed and calendar locks be sent out for additional meetings -- structure is in full effect here.
Compensation: 2% is that targeted raise for 2012 ... last time I checked, inflation was running higher than that.
Useless Trivia: Did you know that none of the 250+ employees at the facility I work at can get a single case of free or discounted product?! Not one case!

Advice to Senior Management

Stop letting the competition dictate how we manage our business. We are way too reactive, focus only on the short term, and lack overall vision. Let's have a clear plan that will allow us to be proactive and drive our business through better sales, execution, and leadership.

Pros

Lots of work = lots of experience, fast. It's important to be able to connect with others and be a mini-entrepreneur.

Cons

Sometimes you wonder whether all the work you do is really a good use of time. Senior Management has made some very risky decisions over the last few years and not all of them turned out well.