Disarray - Anonymous employee Univar Solutions Employee Review

1.0
29 Dec 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Decent benefits, relatively flexible schedule, standard vacation and days off.

Cons

The company is owned by private equity right now and has been trying to go public for years but the timing is never right. Because of this, there is virtually no long-term planning and all decisions are made based on the immediate impact. For example, if the annual growth goal of a division is not hit (profitability goals are around 10% growth annually), employees will be laid off even though it hamstrings the opportunities for the following year. All management cares about is hitting the month's target. VERY top-heavy organization, almost weekly there is a new vice president of this or director of that. Senior management is disconnected from the average worker and believes it is beneath them to interact with the warehouse worker or driver that makes the company run. Sales positions are considered king and everyone else is basically a second-class citizen. No career paths and practically no hope for promotion, unless you're satisfied getting a slightly better title but doing the same job (e.g.: Salesman I to Salesman II).

Explore other reviews about Univar Solutions

5.0
3 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I enjoyed the job very stable and friendly people

Cons

A little outdated tech systems but doable

2.0
26 Mar 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Exposure to large, high-value accounts and complex operational challenges. The role builds resilience quickly and provides strong experience in account management, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. There is a high level of ownership in day-to-day responsibilities, which can accelerate skill development for those who are self-driven.

Cons

Since the acquisition by Apollo, the work environment has noticeably declined. While new processes were introduced, leadership often did not take the time to fully understand or follow them, creating confusion and inconsistency across teams. Employees who raised questions or tried to improve processes were not always received positively, which discouraged feedback and innovation. There is also a lack of alignment between departments, leading to inefficiencies, miscommunication, and added pressure on employees managing critical accounts. Workloads are frequently excessive without adequate support, contributing to burnout and turnover. Compensation does not consistently reflect the level of responsibility and workload expected, which further impacts morale and retention. Overall, the organization feels reactive rather than structured, and direction has become increasingly unclear.

2
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All