Customer Service Representative | High Point, NC | Feb 8, 2020
Long hours, little advancement
When you start at AkzoNobel, the first thing that stands out is that the training is very lackadaisical. There is very little written material, and you’re paired up with someone that you just have to hope performs the way that you are expected to perform. In my case, I was paired up with someone who did not perform well, and they were let go two weeks after I started, leaving me doing the job solo with only their (apparently bad) instruction. So, be prepared for a very steep learning curve.
I will not speak ill of my manager because they did everything that they could to help, but upper management is very difficult to work with. They implemented a very strict hiring freeze shortly after I started that prevented both bringing in new associates as well as replacing associates that left. So, as people left, full-time work was distributed among the remaining associates, who already had full-time work. Both this and training were issues across the entire facility where I worked, as well as the other facilities that I was in contact with.
Unfortunately, this results in a lowered ability to produce and ship in a timely manner. When I left, most of my day was trying to smooth the feathers of customers whose orders we did not ship on time (or correctly, or both).
The pay and benefits aren’t great, but they’re not bad, and my manager made an attempt to be very flexible with things that I needed such as doctors appointments, etc. Unfortunately, it’s a very able-bodied and Ch
5.0
Quality Assurance Analyst | Salisbury, NC | May 21, 2014
Good pay and benefits, but adjust your social and family life.
I worked in the analytical lab at Akzo Nobel for 8 years. I started out as a temp for 4 months then became a permanent hire. Its a fast paced environment and you are expected to show that you can keep up the first the day, even while training. However, there are some down days and you are able to slow down, but not sit still. The management and co-workers have a high turn-over, partly due to upper management difficulties or the swing shift. Adjusting to the swing shift maybe hard for some people to get used to, its really a life-style changer. The lab and the plant personnel are on different types of rotating schedules, so you get to meet a different crew every time you return. Akzo try to show their appreciation for their employees, with cook-outs and incentives, so its not all that bad. Its your attitude and how you look at it. I learned how to use most of the instrumentation, which makes the job easier because it makes you a more valuable employee. Take advantage of the training offered. I also learned about occupational and chemical safety. There are required monthly safety meetings and you learn a lot. Trust me you want to learn about safety at a chemical plant ! I really enjoyed working with my co-workers, spending that amount of time with someone makes them feel like family.
ProsGood benefits, Very safety oriented
ConsSwing shift, chemical smells, poor mangagement
Utilize broad scope of industry knowledge and dynamic engineering toward performing daily process troubleshooting (e.g. product quality issues, cycle times, cost improvements), including identifying and implementing forward-thinking improvements, designing and developing control systems, handling all configuration and installation of instrumentation; programming; communications; system architecture; human machine interface; human factors engineering; alarm management; trending; historical data; control room / panel arrangements; and automation / instrumentation projects. Expertly troubleshoot and / maintain Delta V DCS control systems, including assisting in developing control schemes, adding new instrumentation, and making changes to existing control systems. Maintain plant drawings (e.g. P&IDs, ISOs), equipment safety information / specifications, testing / inspection plans, and engineering standards. Provide daily support to plant personnel and maintenance teams. Collaborate with production and maintenance personnel to optimize plant instrumentation. Plan projects encompassing PIDs, wiring schematics, panel layouts, project scoping, as-built drawings, wiring, testing, and training
Good for entry level or recent science grads for couple years only
work was moderately interesting; management has a high-turnover rate and even worse for chemist/contractors, so get ready to wear multiple hats. young people don't stick around long, and for good reason. you are underappreciated and 'long-timers' act with sense of superiority just because of their years with company and not by relevant experience or educational background. These long-timers don't know how to act mature and mind their own business, they people-watch the heck out of you, talk behind your back and think every young college grad is out for their job. the more pleasant experiences i had were working with other employees outside of R&D like sales managers/plant techs/QC folks. they are nice, easy-going, and made my job worthwhile. depending on what group your in, you may be micro-managed and if your lucky you get a decent manager who lets you be more independent and work at your own pace and lets you lead projects. also, they do a good job of letting you decide how you want to develop (will pay for external seminars, travel to other sites for certain project, etc) but doesn't necessarily result in promotion.
Prosgood development, company paid lunches/parties, diverse work with QC/sales, no overtime required
Conswork culture, management, low retention for young chemists
Each and every day was a challenge that I embraced as there were no processes/guidelines or job description for what I was hired for. It was basically, starting out from scratch with the opportunity to put my processes and thought into managing a sound fleet of over 1000 vehicles.
In addition to fleet, I was also responsible for price changes that were performed in SAP, as well as providing payment information to vendors and training for our store managers when it came to ordering via the SRM tool.
The most difficult job I encountered was that there was a lack of communication even within the department. It was everyone for themselves so there was a lot of tasks that were duplicated instead of sharing the knowledge. Many things were implemented that I ended up cleaning up instead of being asked since I was the person dealing with it on a day to day basis. This was very frustating.
I truly enjoyed dealing with everyone in the field in regards to their vehicle and maintenance so they were able to devote more time into selling the materials, rather than dealing with the vendor. I also enjoyed working with many of our vendors that unfortunately were not paid in a timely manner as we switched systems from an old legacy systems to SAP.
Proslearning on the fly
Conslack of communication
5.0
Accounts Payable Clerk | Waukegan, IL | Jul 30, 2014
Fast pace, acceptable to change, and one that encourages commitment and communication.
A typical work day entails checking emails, answering phone calls, posting invoices, correcting problems as they arise, and working close with vendors and co-workers. Attending meetings as need be.
I have learned a lot at my current job, from AP, AR, to GL and month end tasks. I have even done different projects for finance and controlling. I am currently working on a project for cost accounting.
I have been fortunate to have a great manager. She has been a great mentor always helping me to achieve my goals. She wants the best for me and actually cares about my wellbeing and advancing in my career which means and says a lot to me.
I enjoy my co-workers and get along with them great. I am an esay person to get along with.
I would have to say the hardest part of my job is during month end. Things tend to get a little chaotic and sometimes stressfull, however, I manage to stay calm and get all my tasks done effectivly and in a timely manner.
I enjoy my job and everything it entails. I love the company, co-workers , vendors, and even the atmosphere.
Unfortuantly the company is outsourcing acocunting which therefore means I will be losing my job shortly.
• Performing and recording Cash Application for Banks daily.
• Clearing the manual payments to the appropriate GL and posting to the correct BU bank statement that did not post automatically.
• Performing the transfer of funds on daily basis if needed.
• Performing the payment proposal and Daily Cash Reconciliations
• Making sure that everything is ZBA’s between IHB (SAP) and Banks
• Reconciling Treasury GL accounts on a daily basis.
• Coordinating credit process such as stops and voids.
• Monitoring the SysAid website on a daily basis
• Maintaining a balance in petty cash.
• Preventing frauds while investigating Positive Pay Exceptions.
• Pulling and preparing ACH returns’ information on a daily basis.
• Maintaining and organizing treasury bank statements.
• Analyzing, allocating and reporting monthly bank fees.
• Calculating quarterly intercompany interest rates.
• Registering bank checks images on CD Rom’s on monthly basis for BOA, JP Morgan, and TD banks.
• Creating Promissory Notes and sending them to BU’s annually.
• Preparing and tracking return of Promissory Notes and copy to Tax Department annually.
• Placing Issues, Voids and Stop Payments on checks for General Accounting via JP Morgan ACCESS and Bank of America CashPro.
3.0
Inventory Control Specialist | Pontiac, MI | Jun 4, 2015
Fast paced, challenging, rewarding,,,
Typical day starts at 6 A.M., checking EMAILS concerning inventory issues from off shift, rectify as needed. Check with color build unit (CBU) for inventory needs, make all transfers, physically and systematically. Check automatic dispensing unit (ADU) levels, physically and systematically move all materials needed. Once all CBU needs are met, off to the distribution center for cycle counts, home location managing, consolidations, shipping error rectification, periodically checking EMAILS for other department ( CBU, QC, plant, staging, pilot,R&D ) needs.After lunch check with CBU for material needed for the next 2 shifts.
What I learned: Independence, proactive approach, many SAP system movements from department to department, plant to plant. Many different department operations.
Management: supportive
Co Workers: Team atmosphere, always ready to help.
Hardest part of my job: Balancing all above duties, making sure all needs are met.
Most enjoyable part of my day: Contact with different department co workers, personalities and the daily challenges each day brought.
Prosalways busy, always something to do
Conslocating machines and equipment for physical transfers.
I took this job because I had a friend who worked there and because they promised me that the company "did what was right for the employee" i.e. I would be able to work from home when my kids were sick (TOTAL LIE) and because there were "so many advancement opportunities" Oh there are opportunities, but if you don't know 5 people who have already decided that you got the job before you even applied, then you won't have a chance of getting that job. I have now worked here over a year. I have asked for training opportunities CONSTANTLY and have been denied 99.9% of the time. I was told that I would get promoted this year and today I was just told now it is MAYBE next year. Do not believe the hype- this company is only good to its high level executives who make 100k and up. Everyone under them is a peon and there is a one in a million chance that you will ever leave your current position. This company is a dead end if you are looking for fast advancement opportunities. You will have to rot and kiss a lot of rear ends for YEARS before you will get anywhere. Steer clear.
ProsDecent laptops
ConsNO advancement ops, political blackballing, no training, no management support
The company is a great company. They pay well and offer great benefits, however, the management and culture in the lab needs a serious overhaul. Supervisors gossip about other employees and foster animosity between different shifts (there is plenty WITHOUT their help, but they make it worse). There is little to no disciplinary action against favorites or on shifts that lack proper supervision so the same people make the same mistakes on a daily basis with no consequences. These mistakes/ short-cuts end up causing whomever is unlucky enough to pick up that person's batch to spend HOURS trying to fix an error that could have been prevented had the person done the right thing initially. Why would they though if no one cares and there are no consequences for doing the wrong thing? People falsify results and manipulate test parameters to get batches in spec and management doesn't care. This job is less about QUALITY and more about NUMBERS. I'm not entirely sure I would even recommend this position at this location to someone I DIDN'T like, much les someone that I did.
En vanlig dag på Akzo kan se ut på följande sätt..
Jag börjar jobba kl 06.00, Jag går fram till planeringstavlan och ser vilket recept jag har fått för dagen. Alla operatörer har vars två små magneter med sitt namn på. receptet har en liten adresslapp på sista sidan där ett unikt satsnummer och batchnummer står. Man river alltid av den lilla adresslappen, lägger den i en liten plastficka och lägger den på planeringstavlan bredvid sitt namn så att andra operatörer kan se att receptet är "påbörjat".
Nästa steg är att tillverka färgen. Det är bara att följa ett recept väldigt noga och kolla så att man väger upp rätt mängd råvaror var gång för att inte sabba färgen. Precis som att baka en kaka. Alla arbetsplatser har både sina för och nackdelar. Min personliga åsikt är att det finns många fler nackdelar än fördelar på Akzo Nobel. Tjänstemännen och cheferna är ofta inte ärliga mot sina arbetare och operatörerna känner sig utnyttjade vid flera tillfällen. Det finns en ständig oro hos de anställda då de inte vet hur det går för företaget. Produktionen har minskat drastiskt den senaste tiden och många kunder har lämnat Akzo Nobel. Vissa tjänstemän är ärliga och förklarar vad det kan bero på, andra chefer (speciellt avdelningschefer) klandrar sina arbetare och säger att det är för att de sitter för mycket. Vilket inte alls stämmer.
Min resa på Akzo Nobel har varit otroligt lärorik. Som 19 åring fick jag anställning och var den yngsta arbetaren bland ungefär 400 personer. Jag fick
Prosfamiljär stämning mellan operatörerna
Consrelationen mellan tjänstemän och arbetarna.
4.0
Industrial Placement Student | Slough | Jun 3, 2014
I had a throughly enjoyable year
I would arrive at work in the morning and get settled, have a quick catch-up with my colleagues in the office. Breakfast and hot drinks were available, which was always a good start to the day. I'd check for any new e-mails before starting with the work. I may be in the labs, working on formulations or I may be checking products that had been put on weathering trials outside. Usually, once a week I would meet with my manager(s), discuss what I had done that week, and a look forward to what I would do next week. Sometimes I would have meetings with other departments such as marketing to have a discussion on the products.
I learned a great deal about how to effectively manage my time. I was personally working on two projects at the same time, so needed to divide my time accordingly. I needed to be confident in working independently and with other people in the company. I Improved on my presentation and communication skills as I gave presentations each week to my managers and periodically to my department. I learned about different departments and how important sustainability was to the company through seminars that were available.
My managers were always available for me to talk to. We had regular meetings with each other on the work that had been and needed to be done. They were open and honest when giving feedback which was helpful so that I could improve myself as a better scientist.
My co-workers were friendly, willing to give advice. There were a number of activi
4.0
Management Secretary IC Competence Teams/HSE&RA | Amersfoort | Aug 22, 2014
bijzonder collegiale werksfeer, goede ontwikkelingsmogelijkheden, hard werken met een gepaste waardering
De voertaal binnen het bedrijf is Engels. Het werk was zeer afwisselend, Je wist van te voren nooit hoe een werkdag eruit ging zien en moest je eigen planning regelmatig bijstellen. Werkzaamheden bestonden hoofdzakelijk uit het bijhouden van de agenda's voor de director HSE en de director Technology. Organiseren van bijeenkomsten, opstellen van agenda's voor vergaderingen, notuleren van vergaderingen, opvolging van actiepunten. Het bewaken en het goed (laten) keuren van P.O. 's Ontvangen van gasten. Bijhouden van de website voor de afdeling. Algehele ondersteuning van de twee directors en hun managers.
Ik werkte samen met een collega management assistente. Omdat ik zelf erg flexibel en klantgericht ben, heb ik soms de neiging daar in door te slaan. Zij heeft me geleerd consequent en rechtlijnig te zijn.
De directie bestond uit kwalitatief hoog opgeleid personeel maar had een prettig menselijke inslag.
Moeilijkste van de baan was het inhoudelijk begrijpen van de acties en contracten van de Technology afdeling. Omdat ik geen opleiding in deze richting heb gevolgd kostte het mij veel inspanning om hier inhoudelijk vat op te krijgen.
Het leukste van de baan vond ik het organiseren van (meerdaagse) bijeenkomsten
ProsAfwisselende werkzaamheden, werken in een omgeving waar ieder respect voor elkaar toont. Regelmatig teambuilding events
ConsDe starheid waar een grote organisatie (begrijpelijkerwijs) soms mee te maken heeft.
3.0
Magazijnmedewerker (m/v) | Wapenveld | Nov 2, 2016
Productieve omgeving waar we autolakken voor de gehele benelux expiditeren
Gewerkt bij Car Refinishes waar we autolakken maakten voor de gehele benelux.
We beschikten hierover een hele grote kleurmakerij, expeditie en magazijn waaruit we expediteren voor de gehele benelux.
Ik was hier all round magazijnmedewerker.
Tevens was ik actief voor de BHV en de bedrijfsbrandweer.
Waar ik ook de benodigde rijksdiploma's behaald heb.
Helaas had ik in dit distributiecentrum niet de meest leuke collega's
Een leiding die nogal wat van je vereiste in de vorm van veel heel veel overwerken om de goederen elke dag maar weer de deur uit krijgen .
Ik viel een klein beetje buiten de groep omdat ik vanuit friesland kwam en moest samenwerken met zwollenaren en wapenvelders mensen die niet altijd even eerlijk waren.
We hebben in deze organisatie de nodige wisselingen van de wacht meegemaakt en zelfs een aantal keer een interimmanager gehad.
Tot het moment dat ik een nieuwe vacature zag bij sikkens verkoop waar ik in het verleden al eerder had gewerkt.
Ik wist wat voor organisatie dit was en wilde wel weer terug solliciteren bij Sikkens Verkoop en dit lukte waardoor ik een functie kreeg als vliegende brigadier voor de regio Noord-Oost en Midden Nederland.
Hierdoor kreeg ik de beschikking over een auto van de zaak om alle verkoop locaties te bemannen in Midden en Noord-Oost Nederland hier voerde ik taken uit als all round balie medewerker.
En typisk arbetsdag för mig är inventeringar, postningar mellan produktion och lager.
Transportskador & en del avrop.
Även problem som uppstår i systemet eller problem mellan orderberedning dvs problem att få ut order till verksamheten.
Jag har fått en fantastisk utbildning på plats inom Akzo Nobel.
När jag startade 1989 var jag plockare av färg ut till kunder inom Sverige.
Några år senare sökte jag mig in på exportavdelningen där arbetet genast blev både mer intressant & lite mer komplicerat.
Det blev mycket containerpackning & flygpackningar.
Sen efter några år dök där upp en ledig tjänst på administrationen som jag sökte & fick.
Där och då jobbade vi i ett förlegat system som hette RMS vilket jag ansåg var ett väldigt trubbigt affärssystem.
Jag lärde mig allt inom inventeringar, lagerhållning & bokföringar.
Där var en hel del avrop på mitt bord och jag började att följa upp statistik inom felplock bland annat.
2007 införde vi SAP på företaget.
Jag var med på alla workshops före golive och fick lära mig grunderna inom LE ( Logistic execution SAP R/3 )
Jag blev keyuser vilket betyder att jag ska kunna mer än en vanlig SAP användare.
Det innebär också att jag ska vara med på regresion tester och göra flödes beskrivningar och manualer på olika transaktioner som används på avdelningen.
Dessutom har jag fått utbildningar genom åren på trucktyperna
A1-A4, B1-B3 Jag har kört truck mer eller mindre dagligen från 1989 fram till idag.
A typical day of work starts with the ware house management.
Reviewing the consumed materials and comparing the daily consumption with the availability of materials. Raising purchase orders .Responding to customer issues through CRM and preparing the analysis report based and publish it in the global level.
The major things which I learnt about my current job are the skills to maintain the ware house management and raising purchase orders based on the consumption. Skills to know the requirement of the customer and focusing on customer satisfactions.
Management has been very co-operative in giving us opportunity to learn and explore new process and has been supportive in collecting the innovative ideas and implementing the suitable ones.
I have been able to work with a large team of 25 co-workers and also in a sub-team of 5 co-workers. I have been a good asset to the team I have been and also sure i can be the same to the team i work with.
The hardest part of my job is to raise a purchase order for the consumption of materials projecting 6 months consumption.
The challenging part of my job is that to respond to customer issues with solution within 1 day.
The most enjoyable part of the job is that the interaction with the other teams and individuals. Have been given the authority to implement new ideas to improve the process activity.
I don’t know where to start with this place. Don’t even bother applying for a decent job unless you’re a close friend or family of someone in a management position.
It’s not hard to see why the plant is so far behind in terms of production, people with a number of years paint manufacturing experience were tossed aside in favour of bringing in friends and family with little or no experience of even working, let alone making paint. Don’t dare point out the obvious though, you’ll be sacked.
As far as mistakes go, don’t dare make one either. There are a lot of people here who aren’t used to having leadership roles and are desperate to try and discipline anyone making even the slightest mistake.
The site used to use what they called the ‘engagement survey’ to find out how happy people are, it was a complete waste of time. Should you decide to score any part lower than a 5/5 you’ll be prompted to fill in why exactly this is. Sometimes this would be done as a team, should the team mark any lower then they would be sat down in a room and told why they’re wrong.
The overtime situation has slightly improved lately, however over the last couple of years the manning levels have improved. Overtime was virtually enforced, people were even put into a rota. Speaking to a lot of people, they feared for their jobs as the majority were agency workers (permanent jobs reserved for family of course) if they refused overtime.
Aprendi muito com esta renomada multinacional do setor de tintas e vernizes.
Trabalhei na Akzo Nobel primeiramente como temporária e depois fui efetivada, Empresa multinacional do ramo de tintas imobiliárias, onde tive a oportunidade de aprender muito sobre vários departamentos. Trabalhei na área de markeitng técnico e análise de produtos. Como sou engenheira Quimica , tive a oportunidade de utilizar meus conhecimentos técnicos para auxilar e desenvolver projetos e idéias, Tive contato com arquitetos e pintores diretamente ministrando palestras e cursos sobre tintas. Já que também possuo certificação de cursos de tintas e resinas na USP. Minha rotina tinha boa qualidade, Tive a oportunidade trabalhar por vários anos para profissionais competentes e o ambiente de trabalho era excelente e a minha equopie de trabalho, em todos os setores que trabalhei, eram pessoa muito agradáveis e competentes.
Tive a oportunidace também de conhecer a matriz da Akzo Nobel na Suécia na cidade de Malmö onde desenvolvi um trabalho de resinas naturais para pisos de madeira.
Bom a parte mais agradável tratava-se do próprio dia a dia e a parte mais dificil eram as inúmeras viagens que tive que começar a realizar, quando comecei a trabalhar numa BU externa da companhia, sendo que sou casada e tenho três filhos.
Aqui deixo meu registro.
Questions And Answers about AkzoNobel
How often do you get paid?
Asked Feb 2, 2017
Twice a month
Answered Sep 24, 2017
We got paid every week.
Answered Aug 11, 2017
How would you describe the pace of work at AkzoNobel?
Asked Nov 3, 2016
The manager shows favoritism so when it comes to work it goes to one individual. I recommend only somone looking to pay of a car to apply honestly.
Answered Aug 13, 2020
They go through people like wire they don't pay management is a joke
Answered Aug 5, 2017
What is the interview process like at AkzoNobel?
Asked Jul 10, 2016
There are around 3-5 rounds.
1) personal interview
2) ZM round
3) RM round
4) aptitude test
Answered Sep 27, 2017
Very long.
Can take upto 6-9 months to get hired. They are very slow and do not fill all positions either. The company's culture is poor and work environment is difficult to work in. As much as possible, they will try not to hire anyone. If the department is budgeted for 4 employees, then they will hire one person. Nothing ever gets done. And the managers make heavy bonus for all this.
Answered Apr 8, 2017
What is the work environment and culture like at AkzoNobel?
Asked Aug 31, 2016
Turmoil, outsourcing, change.
Answered Nov 27, 2017
Very friendly.
Answered Nov 2, 2017
What are the working days?
Asked Jun 13, 2018
Management jobs are Monday - Friday but with call-ins likely and often. Hourly positions are normally 4 shift operations.
