Good place to build skills, then move on - Manufacturing Associate IV Biogen Employee Review

3.0
Jul 15, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits are good, very goal-oriented; no one cares how long you go for breaks, as long as you get the job done. Biogen-Idec is exemplary at picking talent at the operator level, I have worked with some very passionate and knowledgeable people whose work ethic is inspiring, and who have influenced me to become a better operator. BIogen-Idec is also a good place to start a biotech manufacturing career, due to great networking opportunities and adherence to cGMP's, which is critical to understand if you want to become a great contributor.

Cons

Unfortunately, Biogen-Idec is awful at picking talent in the management level; lower performers are constantly being promoted due to politicking and back-room dealings; most promotions announcements are met with shock and groans from the operators, even through there are very, very, very few exceptions. Management is very company-oriented and not employee-oriented; members of management are not judged by their superiors in knowledge and subordinate growth but simply bowing to their demands; and it seems that the supervisors most disliked by the operators are the ones getting promoted. Communication between night and day shifts is horrendous, with constant blame game playing and finger pointing when things go wrong. Bonuses are so-so, pay is probably slightly below average compared to other companies I have worked.

Explore other reviews about Biogen

5.0
Apr 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company with talented people to work with.

Cons

Less room to grow on the ladder.

5.0
May 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits package is strong and competitive, which adds a lot of overall value. There are many internal departments and career paths, making it relatively easy to explore new roles and grow within the company. On-site cafeteria is a convenient and appreciated perk. Many colleagues are highly experienced and have been with the company and industry for years, making them great resources for learning and mentorship.

Cons

Promotion policies can be limiting—there seems to be an informal rule that prevents employees from being promoted more than once in a year, even for high performers. Salary could be more competitive compared to market rates. Equipment and internal systems feel outdated and could benefit from modernization to improve efficiency.

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Biogen Response
2w
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed and constructive feedback. We’re glad to hear you value our competitive benefits, diverse career paths, and the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues, as well as perks like our on-site amenities. We also sincerely appreciate your candid input on promotion timelines, and compensation. We recognize how important it is to reward high performance, remain competitive in the market, and provide efficient tools that enable our teams to do their best work. These are areas we continue to evaluate and improve through ongoing reviews of our talent processes, compensation programs, and technology investments. Your insights and suggestions are incredibly valuable as we evolve, and we encourage you to continue sharing feedback to help us strengthen the employee experience and support long-term growth and success. Any additional feedback you can provide related to your experience is always helpful. You can do so confidentially by emailing talentfeedback@biogen.com. - Maria, HR
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