Product and Supplier Management
Pros
Lot's of great people and in particular good people below senior management. Flexible working but varies across the business Good analysis systems
Cons
Imagine a large slow oil tanker that should have been put out of service for repairs and the engine and hull repaired. Unfortunately RS decided not to repair it but spray it a nice shiny gold so it almost looks gold plated. They then added 12 steering wheels and got 12 captains to not talk to each other and try and steer the boat in different directions. 4 of them did not want to steer the boat as would have made them accountable for any future issues and why would you want to make a decision if you are a politician!. 4 others would talk about steering the boat but did not have any idea how to but hey they really do talk a good game. The other 4 went every other direction possible but again did not talk to eachother.... but hey that boat looks good from the surface. Also change the speedometer so to the crew it makes it look like we are going faster. Also bring in some new captains but throw them overboard after 9 months after they start to challenge the slow, non customer/colleague focused culture. If you want to work for a company where you can get stuff done, where the customer is truly valued rather than being spoken about, where you feel that everyone is working in the same direction, where you are 9 months away from another cost cutting program with no job security (Performance Improvement Plan), a culture that does not promote bullying and where poor management and leadership that is either shrug of a shoulder not my problem culture is not allowed, a focus on diversity in the workplace that is not a bit touchy/feely. Then suggest you look elsewhere. This really is a toxic company where if you want to keep your head down, be a politician and tell anyone senior that all is well and nothing needs improving then give it a go. It is a real shame that over time RS has lost its DNA and the morale is awful. I am a massive fan of change management but unfortunately the company has not progressed and is an example of one of the best ever wallpaper/repaint jobs ever and does a brilliant job of being seen to promote great initiatives such as women and children in engineering etc but unfortunately does not breathe these internally and has spent little time fixing things internally.
