Best Places to Work 2024: No. 3 Supplier: Conventus Polymers LLC

Parsippany, N.J.-based Conventus Polymers LLC defines its culture as "one of creativity, ideation and continuous improvement."

The first core value of Conventus Polymers, which describes itself as "a plastics distribution company that specializes in the marketing and sales of high-performance polymers to plastic converters and original equipment manufacturers across North America," is entrepreneurialism.

"We challenge employees by pushing them outside of their comfort zone to create continuous improvement in processes, offered services and an employee's own professional development," the company said in its Best Places to Work questionnaire.

Diversity is its second core value: "We always seeking to create the best team of employees that are diverse in culture, gender, experiences and industry knowledge."

Conventus Polymers recruits diverse candidates through universities and cultural organizations. "We target recruitment of sales roles to more female and ethnically diverse candidates at career fairs across the country. In conjunction to university recruitment, we recruit from within the industry for more seasoned candidates, which provides diversity in age and background as well," the company said.

Its third core value is creativity and ideation. The company said it inspires team members to "seek new and innovative solutions for their customers."

"Our organization has a welcoming and diverse culture that values growth and innovation. We work as a team to create an environment where employees can contribute, thrive and grow in their own careers," it said. "We acknowledge our employees' contributions through top-notch benefits packages and various employee recognition programs."

Awards are given out at the yearly sales meeting to employees who demonstrate the company's core values.

Conventus Polymers takes its employees' concerns and feedback seriously, especially when it comes to those "top-notch benefits packages."

Its 401(k) program was modified with a new vendor that "provided more choices, more flexible investments, and employee training and assistance with product selections."

"We had feedback on health plans offered that were missing desired family planning coverages, so we changed the health plan carrier to a company which offered these covered services," it said. "We had feedback that employees wanted access to dental plans with higher max coverage amounts. We added an additional plan offering with twice the coverage as our previous max coverage plan."

The company offers an employee assistance program that supports team members with issues including mental health, wellness, parenting and more. Advisers are available to assist employees with questions or issues related to pay, benefits and retirement. There are also health advocate services for finding doctors and treatment options as well as resolving billing issues.

Conventus Polymers' Commercial Leadership Program trains new college graduates and candidates for a role in technical sales development.

"We also have mentorships and on-the-job training through direct managers," the company said. "We have a variety of online, asynchronous learning modules available to employees on various job skills such as leadership to help advancement."

Other benefits for employees include birthday celebrations with lunch, cake, a birthday card and decorated office or cubicle. There are also fun activities such as bowling or trivia night.

"Work anniversaries are acknowledged in the quarterly newsletter and via email," the company added.

Service Week includes breakfast, lunch, barbecues, bingo and other games.

"We have strong, effective leadership team that are approachable and who foster collaboration, innovation and respect among employees," the organization said. "This, along with career development and advancement available to all levels of employees, creates an environment where an employee feels appreciated and wants to be here each day."

Founded in 2012, Conventus Polymers has been named a Best Place to Work by Plastics News for the last three years.

"Being named among Plastics News' Best Places to Work for the third consecutive year is a true honor," the company said. "At Conventus Polymers, we deeply value our people, understanding they are our most important asset. That is why we dedicate significant effort to ensuring that Conventus Polymers is an exceptional environment for individuals to build their careers."