Insecure, and bumbling 19th century nostalgic thinking senior and middle management - Supply Chain Planning Engineer Caterpillar Employee Review

1.0
Mar 27, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Caterpillar has a lot of opportunity but it is stuck in its philosophy of the 19/20th century thinking in its practices "Touting" industry leading standards which looks good on the outside to those external to the company but ran like a small business. Positions of responsibility are rewarded to "Yes" people who do not have the integrity nor fortitude to do what is right claiming "Values in Action" and the only thing they have going is tenure, a "Good-ole" guy or gal looking out for them and Black belt rating which is as good as kickstand for a cycle with no wheels.

Cons

Leadership tout the catchphrases of "Values, Integrity, Teamwork, Honor" as these things fill the halls on posters and boards but they don't practice it. If you are a ambitious, professional mid-careerist who came to the company looking to extend your career you are absolutely wasting your time. It is either the "CAT" way or you are viewed as a non-conformist not aligning yourself to their practices. It is degrading to see those who are the supposed tenured "Experts" tout their experience while living in nostalgia. I resigned after realizing that I am wasting my talent here only to receive various offers to do the same things from more "Forward" thinking organizations with with less headaches. Promotions are not about what you have done but more aligned to who you know and as long as you "Tow" the line, create nice Excel Pivot table or an occasional Power point, stay in our cube and not a threat to your boss you will be advanced.

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5.0
Jun 7, 2026
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Pros

Great benefits Great WLB Great pay

Cons

Low mobility to move up within company

2.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good health insurance and benefits, good yearly bonuses. The pay is good.

Cons

They are enforcing returning to office by any means necessary. They have lost many high-quality producers who have refused to relocate or refuse to come in. Here's the kicker - they are requiring in-person attendance at the Chicago office and there aren't even enough desks for everyone. It would be a literal fire hazard if we all came into the Chicago office at the same time, M-F, during business hours. No one knows how or if they are going to actually enforce this. Cost of gas is insane, Joe doesn't care about the workers. Or the work for that matter. It's obvious this is a soft layoff, they have made a bunch of people quit. Their internal design agency is falling apart, lots of people have quit, not only because of return to office but because of the toxic politics, favoritism, and lack of direction and accountability. Mediocre workers are allowed to keep their jobs ONLY because of their ability to put their bodies in a chair and work in-person. The other relocation option HR gave besides Chicago was Peoria. No one wants to live in Peoria for any reason whatsoever, be for real.

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