Eastman Reviews

Pros

Headquarters sits 20+ miles from a beautiful, mountainous region. TN has no state income tax, which is valuable in retirement. If satisfied with rural living, then the region has some allure. In the Kingsport area of the company, there is a great "family feel" culture in the manufacturing side and their facilities. There is a terrible culture fostered in the Headquarters.

Cons

You get the sentiment, through all the resources that are thrown into quarterly investor calls, that the company is extremely sensitive to investor demands. There is a substantial level of tension in the executive suites leading up to every investor call. Historically, the organization had a longer term vision. Right now it's just "Journey to Specialty." The CEO doesn't live in the region, which is a huge... statement (I believe he lives in Florida). If you want to thrive in the specialty chemical space, and have career options, it's best to identify employers around other dense populations. If you relocate to Kingsport, and lose your position (there have been lay-offs and cost pressures consistently on a 3 year tick), you may damage the opportunities for your family. There are no other substantial chemical employers within 100's of miles. The HQ is a brand-new facility, but when you go around the other facilities in Kingsport, they scream 'old age and lack of investment.' It truly is a facade. I'm not 100% sure why a young professional (male or female) would relocate here, other than to be near family. Johnson City continues to grow and that's good to see, but Kingsport with its plumes of steam in the air and the smell, it gives you the feeling you may be getting cancer every day. Beyond diversity in the CHRO seat, there is little female or diverse representation in their executive board (all white males), and I think future employees should look at this, because it is a reflection of leadership values and mindset towards diversity AND diversity of thought. If you have a family, and want your children growing in a diverse environment, this may not be the best region for you. Eastman Chemical is an underwhelming employer through a global lens. You would do much better to look elsewhere. If you are physically tied to the region...then this is your best financial option.

Advice to Management

It's best to raise your pay structure to be competitive with Energy Companies. Why relocate to Kingsport, when you can be in growing regions across the country (unlike East TN), where there are tremendous volume of opportunities with greater pay? I relocate, you gain, I lose. This can't be a sustainable philosophy.

Pros

team environment with good networking

Cons

No cons that I can think of

Pros

Everything Great benefits, great balance on work and family etc...

Cons

None that I can think of

Pros

There are a lot of opportunities to try a lot of different kinds of jobs. Changing jobs every three years to try something new not uncommon, great way to get a good view of the company. People are genuinely nice, polite southern culture, and East Tennessee is a gorgeous place to live.

Cons

Management does have their favorites, options for growth if you weren’t on that list are limited. With the southern culture comes some passive aggressiveness, they are not great with conflict. There are some limitations to the culture of the area, lack of diversity especially with trying to raise a young family.

Advice to Management

Trying to drive accountability is a good thing, but all the metrics Put in place around sales Calls is not driving the right behavior. Also building a business plan from the bottom up is a great concept but only if upper management doesn’t completely change the number at the end.

Pros

Engages well across multiple channels. Robust innovation pipeline.

Cons

Too many people directing work. Not enough people doing work.

Pros

Transparent organization with clear vision and positive environment.

Cons

No transport facility but compensated by work from home option

Pros

Company innovation is solving problems the world needs solved (e.g. circular economy) so a strong purpose; seeing improvements in inclusion and diversity and commitment to employees with more of a focus now in these areas; in the long term the investments in growth along with the reshaping of the business will pay off

Cons

Short term financial challenges while trying to make change in the midst of a difficult external environment; change is slow because still a lot of people who want things to stay the way they have been in the past and resist change, and management slow to deal with that

Advice to Management

Don't forget to invest in your employees even during difficult financial times as you need your employees to feel valued and give their discretionary effort to make the turnaround needed actually happen

Pros

Great job and people and location

Cons

Pay scale and hours and environment