Pros
When you start, lots of opportunities to move to new roles and be promoted within the company. People are generally smart and kind. Profit sharing, 5% 401K match, and access to company store. Great company story, brands, and products with global presence.
Cons
Forced ranking performance review. Compensation is underwhelming for people living in Chicago. At higher levels, roles filled by non-SCJ folks vs. promoting from within. Some categories in decline and lack of innovation. Nearly all the directors and above have the same personality: hard-charging and direct. There doesn't seem to be a place for reflective, thoughtful people at those levels; see very few at the director level and almost none at the highest levels. Expect career to stagnate if you're not actively working to change roles regularly. Even then, can expect to wait for stars to align to make move. Meeting heavy culture. Telecommuting allowed only for those that live 20 miles or more away. Can expect a company reorg every 2-3 years. Was there for 7.5 years, was part of 3 big ones.
