Getting better...maybe - Project Manager JBT Marel Employee Review

1.0
Jan 17, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very good pay. Ok Medical Good 401K and benefits Steady Work - JBT - Jetway in Ogden owns 70% of the market. Good Job Security for now.

Cons

They lack any form of mentorship. Projects are thrown over walls to let other departments deal with problems. They have contempt for their customers. I was a project manager. After being there for a year I started calling myself a Customer expectation manager as my job was to take my customers expectation from where it was...down to the level of service they would actually get. Product was almost always late - if it wasn't late it was guaranteed that we would have missed shipping something vital. 8 to 12 hours preparing for one monthly meeting to explain all the finanacials for all projects where PM's were seldomly backed up for their work (which they had little control over anyway). PM's are viewed as expendable assets. I can't say I wasn't warned as multiple people (including PM's who "made the cut" and were being promoted) stated that there were major issues with the operation of this plant. In short management appears ambivalent about the success of their people, or the efficiency of their operation as long as the bottom line is met. And 'the bottom line' is different for each department so if feels like a tug-o-war to get things moving. Multiple customers are repeat customers. At the beginning of the job most would say something like "Don't let this go south like it did last time" It would invariably go south. I asked multiple customers why they went with JBT Jetway if it always ended like this. They answered "Because your competition is worse than you" As a PM they replace you after 3 years or fire you. I was one of the oldest PM's when I hit my 2 year mark (the only one who was there longer was my boss). I was "Let go" shortly after that. Surprisingly the CEO is a pretty good guy, we just didn't see him or the culture he purported to want in his company, much in Utah. That is not a good reason to get repeat business. JBT was in the process of changing for the better from 30 years of mismanagement. I predict it will take at least until 2023 until a lot of the damage from those years is reversed culturally enough to effect good change. Hopefully it's still progressing to be better.

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JBT Marel Response
6y
Thank you for providing feedback on your experience working for JBT. We will continue to review our current processes to ensure we are proactive, not reactive. We hold the belief that customers are what make a business who they are, and are sorry that you were not able to experience this.

Explore other reviews about JBT Marel

5.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Team Internal growth opportunities Company card Hotel and Airlines Miles

Cons

Intense travel schedule that is not for everyone Small bonuses and raises

1.0
Apr 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some good people work here.

Cons

Since Marel’s involvement, the organization has changed significantly—and not for the better. While leadership promotes the idea of a unified “JBT Marel,” in practice Marel appears to drive nearly all major decisions. Core systems are being replaced with legacy Marel platforms, and many long-time JBT employees who previously held administrative responsibilities have seen those rights reassigned to Marel personnel. The annual goal-setting and performance review process feels poorly designed and largely ineffective. Employees are not required to finalize their goals until the end of the first quarter, which effectively shortens the time available to work toward them by several months. Similarly, year-end review activities begin as early as October, further compressing the period in which meaningful progress can be made. Financial and operational planning also seem misaligned. The AOP (Annual Operating Plan) is routinely not finalized until late in the first quarter, despite planning activities beginning months earlier in October. This delay creates confusion and undermines clear direction for the business. The culture has become highly micromanaged, with HR appearing disproportionately large compared to other departments, and much of that function based overseas. The overall environment feels unsupportive and, at times, uncomfortable. In particular, some leadership behaviors foster a sense of cultural bias—for example, repeatedly emphasizing the supposed superiority of Swedish work ethic over that of American employees—which can be demoralizing and divisive. Given these issues—unclear governance, ineffective processes, heavy micromanagement, and a strained culture—this is not a company I would recommend to prospective employees.

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JBT Marel Response
2mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for your long-standing contribution to JBT Marel. We understand that periods of integration and organizational change can bring challenges, uncertainty, and strong emotions. Feedback like yours is important because it helps us better understand how these changes are being experienced across the business. Our goal in bringing JBT and Marel together is to build a stronger organization by combining the best of both companies, not to diminish the value of either legacy business. We recognize that alignment of systems, processes, and ways of working can be difficult, and we continue working to improve clarity, transparency, and collaboration throughout this journey. We also take concerns around leadership style, workplace culture, and employee experience seriously. Creating an environment where people feel respected, supported, and able to do their best work is a priority, and we know this requires continuous attention and improvement. We appreciate your honesty and your commitment over the past years. Feedback like this helps us reflect and continue working toward a better employee experience for everyone.
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