Average and politics are the key to success!! - Strategic Account Executive Grainger Employee Review

4.0
3 May 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Strong brand recognition with great products, services, and suppliers. With pricing realignment and a focus on selling value, makes selling the Grainger story easy. However, stay in the box!! They have built a nice box, and they don’t deviate from it easily, even for their largest customers. The people are top rate, and army’s of them...which leads for lots of personal growth and learning as well as advancement (at lower levels). Also one of the most diverse and inclusive companies I’ve worked for, EXCEPT for women in Senior Management.

Cons

Politics rule the roost. If you want to advance beyond lower management you MUST be connected and drink the Kool-Aid. They do not like outside opinion or challenging individuals. Few women in Mid and Senior Leader roles. The tend to reward the average and above average, more the plodder than the exceptional. Average tenure is 15-20 years which stifles aggressive/energy.

Explore other reviews about Grainger

5.0
1 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

My teammates and leader help me get to where I am today. This company inspired me to help others and motivated my coworkers. The benefit, PTO and the people here what make me thrive working my career here at Grainger.

Cons

No Con about working Grainger.

4.0
6 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Benefits are decent and reasonably priced. They offer a 401k match, BCBS insurance, FSA, HSA, dental, vision, life insurance, and accidental D&D coverage. They also do a 3‑to‑1 match for donations to non‑religious 501(c) organizations. There’s a big emphasis on volunteering, with plenty of opportunities to get involved. The building itself is beautiful, with a free on‑site gym, a coffee shop, real trees in the atrium, a waterfall, and a large cafeteria (though the food can vary). They’re also flexible about which days you come on‑site, depending on the team’s schedule. If I needed to switch a Monday for a Thursday, it was never an issue. My manager was also supportive of remote work on days when the weather made commuting difficult.

Cons

Admins do not get an annual bonus. They're really strict on Overtime, really weird about worrying about mini costs. Like they'll spend 50k on a week-long training but freak out if people want to rent a car while being in town. Can't buy lunch for this 3 hour meeting to cut costs, but we'll drop 10k on this other thing. It's also so unfair that some people get to work remotely and others are forced to come in 3 times a week, for the exact same roles. Every meeting is basically online, so it's just silly and a power trip.

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