Pull out the popcorn bowl, and get ready for a mixture of drama with tragedy. Bridgestone has been on the decline for operating profits globally year over year since about 2012. As a result, this company has always been about layoffs, forced retirements, restructuring and outsourcing-- and that was BEFORE the pandemic. I have known teammates that have had to "re-interview" for their same job position 4 times due to restructuring-- in all areas including auditing, education, finance, retail- no job is safe. With each restructure, it always comes with a new job title, TWICE the work for the SAME pay. The company tends to limit internal growth and upward mobility including pay. They would rather hire external hires with poorer skill sets if it means saving a dime. Job postings may have one set of qualifiers while HR will tell you different requirements are necessary. Management will perform interviews inappropriately, asking for your business ideas in order to excel and shine on their own. Additionally, they have severely limited the growth of maintenance technicians and many stores run a shoestring crew. This would be laughable if it weren't so sad. Any person with access to Google can tell you the job outlook for mechanics is on a downward trend. (Less people going into the field). Despite this, Bridgestone knowingly has limited their labor force thus reducing the natural mentorship that occurs. Essentially, they are killing their future hiring pools. All in the name in saving money today. Where Bridgestone truly fails (beyond how they treat their employees), is their lack of strategy and a lack of willingness to invest in new systems. They are slow to adapt to new technologies and when they do transition to something new, it still is to something else outdated and riddled with issues. IT systems are outdated and ineffective. Less qualified teams fighting these old systems are just trying their best to keep their heads above water. Due to lack of strategy and mismanagement, the company is bleeding money and customers in several divisions. My advice to anyone considering a position with Bridgestone or wanting to stay with Bridgestone- don't walk- RUN for the exit. The company is a sinking ship and would be happy to drown you to keep hanging on a little longer.
