Very tough place to make money - Account Manager Grainger Employee Review

2.0
12 May 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Profit sharing trust has been second to none, but is being cut in half starting in 2016. Good upward job mobility if you work in Lake Forest, are willing to relocate or live in a major metropolitan market.

Cons

Very low morale among most AM's. Would you want to sell for a company who's model only allows forty some odd percent of AM's to be over sales goal? The company routinely gives its sellers obscene double digit growth goals and sets them every six months. Good fundamental selling, or small ball will not be rewarded. The only sellers achieving sales plan are the ones who either hit a big project, or have a large plant or two where we have won a robust national agreement. The comp plan metrics are cumbersome and frustrating. This company was built on the high margin spot buy business, but is demanding that we capture the planned consumable spend from the vertical and local distributors who gladly operate at lower margins and can provide relatively the same service. This was a nice place to sell for "back in the day" but within the last decade the expectations have become unrealistic, the pressure high and your work day very prescriptive. Did I mention you will have a very hard time making money in this role??

Explore other reviews about Grainger

5.0
24 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Easy going job with not too much stress

Cons

Have to come into work all days

4.0
6 June 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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