Koch is once again "Wichita's Best Place to Work," showing when contribution-motivated employees practice and apply Koch's Principle Based Management™ framework, they can realize their potential and maximize contributions to Koch's long-term success.
For the second year in a row, our employees and community members have selected Koch as “Wichita’s Best Place to Work.”
The award is part of The Wichita Eagle’s “Best of Wichita” magazine, which celebrates the businesses and places the community loves most. Employees, readers and community members selected their favorites from more than 7,000 businesses, organizations and individuals competing in more than 239 categories.
“We could not be prouder to salute and pay tribute to the great businesses that were voted the best in their individual categories,” the Eagle said while announcing the honors.
Koch employs about 2,900 people in the Wichita area. Its headquarters has 1.3 million square feet of office space, two full-service cafes and a coffeehouse. But beyond those simple amenities, the real value Koch offers its employees is an opportunity to find a role where they can pursue their passions as they learn and apply their skills and abilities to create value for themselves and society.
As one of the world’s largest private companies, Koch’s products and services span consumer goods, medical products, agriculture and energy, cutting-edge electronics and much more. However, what sets Koch apart is its commitment to Principle Based Management™ – a philosophy developed by Charles Koch that involves applying principles of human progress. These principles include respecting employees as individuals, continually evaluating their roles and responsibilities, and providing the kind of ongoing coaching and feedback that promotes learning, growth and development.
Central to Koch’s values, the company seeks employees who are contribution motivated and embrace growth and challenge. Such employees pursue work that they care about, are good at and that maximizes their contributions. They are naturally curious about how things work, are eager to learn and believe that no matter how well things are going, they could always be better. They define success as making a positive difference for others while creating value for Koch and society.
According to Cara Chennault-Reid, Koch’s corporate human resources director, “We want to help every employee become what they are fully capable of becoming. At Koch, this means we must change our paradigm of who we believe can be successful and what is required for a job – this requires taking risks and thinking differently about how we hire, develop and retain employees.”
At Koch, thinking differently about talent means valuing the individual over credentials, and considering their aptitudes, skills, interests and characteristics over what is on the resume. That’s why Koch’s hiring initiatives open avenues for talented employees who may have otherwise been overlooked.
Derly Apaza is an example. He found his passion for numbers working at a local health clinic’s billing department. Though he thrived, he faced barriers to future opportunities due to his lack of formal education. He discovered Koch’s Accounting Apprenticeship Program, which provides people who have natural aptitudes and an interest in accounting — regardless of their background or experience — an opportunity to develop their skills and obtain full-time employment.
“Perhaps we don't have the education," Derly says. "But we have the knowledge and skills, and we are capable of doing a lot of jobs that typically might not be open for somebody without a degree.”
Today, Derly is thriving as an accountant at Koch.
Koch’s approach also applies to existing employees who may be looking for new opportunities. Starting as an intern, Kassidy Frederick demonstrated her passion and willingness to learn while moving through different roles, including tax, logistics and production planning. With the support of her supervisors, she transitioned into a product management role where she continues to add even more value.
“Everyone talks about the culture at Koch,” says Kassidy. “When people come in, the first thing they say is, ‘Wow, you guys actually live by it.’ It’s not just something we talk about — it’s how we think, it’s how we work, it’s how we coach employees. It truly gives us the principles of how to live a more fulfilling life.”
With its wide range of businesses, products and services, and commitment to hiring, developing and retaining contribution-motivated employees, Koch is honored to be recognized as “Wichita’s Best Place to Work.”
Find your opportunity at Koch by visiting KochCareers.com.
