BASF reviews about "upper management"

Little guidance from upper management

Upper management has not a clue

Upper management is too heavy with accountants.

Limited diversity in upper management

They turnover upper leadership every 2-4 years, so projects move very slow and the onboarding process is constant, which distracts from getting projects done. They are stuck in the 1980s (some sites in the 50's), trying to dig out with a digitalization initiative... there is an incredible lack of resources you would not expect from a large company. There is a lack of efficiency. The compliance group is not operating well, and many toxic and dangerous people exist in upper management. Necessary to avoid upsetting these people (the goal is not always to make money for the business, but rather to make leaders look good).

Some upper Management needing to be more open to ideas

I worked for BASF for 30 years (3.5 at the Resins Plant) and this was by far the worst facility I’d ever been a part of. They bring new hires in at an extremely low wage, expect operators to troubleshoot and fix broken machinery which is constantly falling apart. There are maintenance at the plant however they don’t work the rotating shift so the vast majority of the time, operators are expected to do their job AND repair the broken equipment. Management is clueless as to what goes on out in the plant (field). There is no accountability in regards to production output whereas all they’re concerned about is if you’re “obedient” and that you keep up with your computer training modules. If you fall behind, you get written up AND it’ll affect your raise and bonus. I was asked by the production manager to make a “job aid” for a urinal in the men’s restroom that depicts how to shut the water off in case it overfilled once again. I told her that I was a chemical operator, not a janitor or a maintenance worker and she was visibly upset. In fact, it was noted on my review and I lost money because of it. The Resins plant has their own HR person there which is mind blowing. She’s very nice to your face, however be careful, she’s a snake and likes to feed off the gossip and will call individuals in her office to confirm such talk. Yes, I’d seen it first hand. They will conveniently schedule you to come in on your off days for training. Working the rotating schedule is hard enough but it doesn’t affect management or the EHS person so they could care less what your reason is for declining to come in. And yes, that will affect your raise and bonus. The shift leaders are knowledgeable and overall good guys other than Jose. He’s a keyboard warrior and anything you say to him privately will end up in an email to upper management. He spends 95% of the shift in his office or the control room and is CLUELESS as to how the operation runs out in the field.

Slow decision making, bureaucratic, zero career path, old upper management,

Site is old Preventative maintenance is often delayed Upper management is stressing lean manufacturing and becoming profit over people