Vice President - Executive Univar Solutions Employee Review

1.0
Feb 1, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Univar offers above average salary and competitive benefits. Very talented personnel

Cons

Top down culture with decision making authority consolidated in 4 senior leaders. Narcissistic personality traits run rampant with these leaders, 3 of whom have no chemical distribution experience. The focus has been to centralize management of functional groups, and to organize the business in a manner similar to that of chemical manufacturers. This has left GM's with little impact on local competitive requirements, and driven an exodus among experienced talent. Company hires great talent, mostly from outside of the industry, however Univar lacks strong training processes. The culture is extremely negative, due to repeated lay-offs. Negative sales growth for three years running has left supplier partners concerned with Univar's strategic direction. I would NOT recommend this company to any associates in the industry

Explore other reviews about Univar Solutions

5.0
Feb 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I enjoyed the job very stable and friendly people

Cons

A little outdated tech systems but doable

2.0
Mar 26, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Exposure to large, high-value accounts and complex operational challenges. The role builds resilience quickly and provides strong experience in account management, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. There is a high level of ownership in day-to-day responsibilities, which can accelerate skill development for those who are self-driven.

Cons

Since the acquisition by Apollo, the work environment has noticeably declined. While new processes were introduced, leadership often did not take the time to fully understand or follow them, creating confusion and inconsistency across teams. Employees who raised questions or tried to improve processes were not always received positively, which discouraged feedback and innovation. There is also a lack of alignment between departments, leading to inefficiencies, miscommunication, and added pressure on employees managing critical accounts. Workloads are frequently excessive without adequate support, contributing to burnout and turnover. Compensation does not consistently reflect the level of responsibility and workload expected, which further impacts morale and retention. Overall, the organization feels reactive rather than structured, and direction has become increasingly unclear.

2
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All