Growing with Rheem

Where People Come for a Job and Stay for a Career

Andy Z. joined Rheem 13 years ago as a sales support specialist. He is now the director of retail sales. Everything that happened in between is emblematic of the learning, development, and growth opportunities that Rheem offers its people throughout their career journeys. Andy’s career at Rheem boasts many titles, including assistant product manager, commercial product manager, and senior innovation manager. Those titles, however, are more than just lines on a resume. Each one represents Andy’s versatility, curiosity, and his very purposeful approach to planning a career.

“I kept my eye on the prize,” he says. “Sometimes it required a lateral move, but it gave me broader experience and more access to get to the ultimate bigger move.”

As much as he wanted to grow his career, Andy had mentors who were equally invested in helping him leave his comfort zone and achieve his goals. “Conversations were more targeted,” Andy says. “They constantly asked me ‘where do you want to go?’ and ‘what do we need to get you there?’ When you have that kind of leadership at the top, it opens doors to many other positions across the company.”

Sara C., who joined Rheem in 2010, also credits leaders and mentors with a career trajectory she never would have imagined eleven years ago when she accepted a job as a graphic design manager. “My managers and leaders have always wanted me to succeed not only on a personal level, but on a professional level,” she says. “They’ve always given me the encouragement and the motivation.”

Her graphic design role leveraged her design agency experience. Soon, however, she went from working on marketing campaigns to working on branding to, ultimately, leading up the brand function for the company. She also led a research department at the company’s enterprise level and, later, the company’s sustainability initiative. By 2019, 75% of her work focused on sustainability (which, by the way, was no accident, considering Rheem had made its sustainability program a top priority).

Sara’s career grew, not because she followed a typical job map, but because she saw the opportunity to learn and grow outside her area of expertise. “I think at other companies, they wouldn’t take someone who didn’t have experience in a specific area and allow them to lead a project there. I think that is something unique to Rheem, where they will take a chance on you, and you, ultimately, will be capable to take on the challenge.”

In Rodrigo C.’s case, Rheem took a chance on him when he was right out of college. That was sixteen years ago. Starting as a project engineer, he has successfully moved into five different roles since. His is an inspiring story. Born, raised, and educated in Mexico City, his first relocation took him to Rheem’s Water Heater facility in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Within three and a half years, he was promoted to engineering superintendent and joined the startup team for the company’s new Air Conditioning plant in Nuevo Laredo. He has since worked with offices in Chile, the Middle East, and the United States where he now serves as a program manager at Rheem’s Lewisville, Texas site.

“It’s been a great journey so far from the growth standpoint,” he says. “But the relationship building was just as important as the career growth, itself. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with people from many different backgrounds who have shared their expertise about their different roles. That is extremely valuable. As people have helped me, I’ve been able to pay it forward and help others, too.”

As he has grown and developed at Rheem, Rodrigo has worked across divisions, functions, and teams: Water, Air, Refrigeration, engineering, R&D, and product portfolio development. Like Andy and Sara, Rodrigo says curiosity is key and believes others can grow their careers by listening to some simple advice:  “If you’re curious or interested in learning another area in another division or function, speak about it,” he suggests. “Don’t be shy to express that interest. Our leadership, everyone I’ve interacted with, they are very approachable.”

Veronica G., who joined the company 22 years ago, has certainly never been shy about learning new things. She was hired as a temporary factory worker at Rheem’s Water Heater plant in Montgomery, Alabama. She worked different jobs on different lines on different shifts. “I like trying new things,” she says.

“I don’t want to be stationary in just one place.”

She is now a full-time Team Lead, overseeing more than a dozen people. “When I found out my team lead was retiring, I decided I’m going to try for the job,” Veronica explains. “I knew what to do. I knew the parts. And I said, ‘I’m going for it.’ So, they posted it and I bid on it, and here I am today.”

These stories are not the exception at Rheem. Investing in its people is a top priority for the company. It’s not just good for business; it’s great for company culture. But Andy offers one caveat, and it’s a good one because it puts a lot of responsibility on the employee:

“Be diligent about your own career. It’s not your boss’s job to map out your career for you. You own where you ultimately want to go,” he says. “I have yet to see someone turned down for development opportunities. If you can map out what development you need, you can ultimately write your ticket.”