Not for the weak - FSQR Chemist Cargill Employee Review

3.0
Nov 25, 2025
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

You will get valuable skills and it looks good on a resume.

Cons

The schedule is harsh. You will work 12 hour shifts. Rotating between days and nights. You will be on-call 2-4 days per month. Cargill does not shut down for holidays. You can expect to work Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day etc. You will be salaried. You don't get paid extra for working holidays. There is no overtime. It is a dificult working environment. It is fast paced and stressful. The plant runs on steam. You will experience high temperatures and humidity like never before. You will get good at climbing steep metal stairs. If you think it smells bad from the outside, the inside smells are much worse:fermenting corn, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter. You will also test waste water which is code for sewage. You will be offered a hepatitis vacine. You will also walk on slippery floors. You will get samples in the rain and snow and freezing conditions.The plant is 50 years old. It has numerous environmental violations exceeding waste water permit limits and accidental discharge of material to waterways. Much of the stress and extra work is due to a lack of accoutability. The plant is union. There are operators that are only there to get a check. They do a very poor job but they can't be fired. Cargill does not get the best recruits in the lab either. You may find the person you relieve has no critical thinking skills. You may wonder how this person got a Science degree. You will be viewed as an expense, not an asset and corporate is constantly trying to eliminate expenses.

Explore other reviews about Cargill

5.0
May 15, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

great for someone tech savy.

Cons

Can be busy at times.

2.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Pay is good, especially on holidays! you get days off during the week and you work every other weekend

Cons

The schedule is hard, 12 hour days for 1 month then 12 hour nights then switch back. the environment is tough, the work load is heavy. not always the support you need to help you. favoritism, Management can be difficult, sink or swim type of culture, The testing is nearly impossible to get through. In the end you can do a great job in learning the job, if they don't want you, you will be replaced!

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