Pros
GP is a large, reputable company with many divisions and a great deal of opportunity. The Pro's include: Many manufacturing plants - Many different divisions and opportunities - Great benefits - you're not micromanaged, and trusted to perform within the role that you were hired for - Flexible - can be financially rewarding if you align with the right division, team and location and you perform and meet/ exceed your goals
Cons
The Cons are endless and unfortunately in my opinion, ruined my career... In sales, you are the only department compensated based on your performance, and the business you secure and retain. A great deal of that is based on the relationships you develop but that only carries you so far. At some point you must evolve and keep up with the industry. To be considered a competitor you must be able to compete in many facets or layers of the corrugated and paper industry. If you 1) There is no structure or training in place for employees 2) The equipment is OLD and dated compared to that of competitors in the same market 3) Does not have the capabilities of that of two competitor's Rock Tenn and IP in the market 4) Does not have the capacity that Rock Tenn or IP has 5) Does not have the diversity that Rock Tenn or IP has with paper grades, etc. 6) Does not have the resources that Rock Tenn or IP has for training, Production, Planning, Quality, or Design 7) Does not have new technology that performs at a rate or fashion that competition does 8) Constant and ongoing quality issues. Quality issues with paper types and grades that were never resolved 9) Lack of support from any department, including your direct or reporting manager 10) Management is primarily stuck in the plant and not in the field or available for customers needs and support 11) Inconsistent business models and practices. 12) Company and Plants constantly changing directions, with no real leadership, strategy or business know-how to reach goals 13) They have not made financial investments in any of the California Plants that would allow their company, team and customers to recognize cost reduction 14) over promised and under fulfilled almost daily due to changes in production that were not discussed or advised 15) No sense of urgency from the entire team. No person or department worked expeditiously to see anything through 16) Everyone I worked with tended to point fingers. No one ever took accountability and always blamed someone else for their short falls 17) Not cost competitive in the markets they target or desire business within 18) Lacked service or value added, so if you cannot be competitive, you must create or add value elsewhere and require the tools to do so 19) extremely negative and unprofessional team in every department, likely due to low moral or no consequences or structure needed in each department 20) I damaged almost every relationship and lost almost every customer I earned business from due to lack of support, unprofessional business practices, inability to compete, and consistent quality issues and poor customer service. Though I had a great boss, this was by far the worst job that I have ever had and ultimately ruined my career
