I was employed at Univar for over 10 years. - Manager Univar Solutions Employee Review

2.0
31 Oct 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Chemical Distribution is a very good business segment space to be in.It has long term sustainability. Because of its size/resources Univar can be attractively profitable if managed properly.Big is better in Chemical distribution due to critical mass as long as management understands that the customer needs to feel that Univar is a local service business.....

Cons

Private Equity Ownership has demanded unreasonable short term profit objectives.This has proven counterproductive given several of the panic type moves made to support an attempt to reach those profit goals. Univar seems to have made change for simply changes sake....Many times the "baby has been thrown out with the bath water" There has been far too many senior and field management changes in too short of a time span (2 years) span.Many of those personnel changes have been filled by leadership with little or no experience in the industry.Profitability has suffered due to gaps in local business knowledge and P&L management (revenue decreases/expense increases). Univar is extremely top heavy with a producer like organizational structure.This has not produced the revenue impact needed to properly return the people investment. Extremely Poor employee morale exists.

Explore other reviews about Univar Solutions

5.0
3 Feb 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A little outdated tech systems but doable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
26 Mar 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.

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