We've had a lot of friction for a very long time. Things have steadily got worse for years, over such a long time it wasn't obvious what was going on.

I'm supposed to be a site manager responsible for the whole site on a technical level. My manager is responsible for multiple sites, budgets and the team with several sites across the country.

The issue is that he doesn't communicate. He doesn't communicate ongoing issues, projects, upcoming plans etc. He doesn't involve me in any meetings about the site or systems I'm responsible for. He will also undermine systems that are functional if he wasn't the one to project lead or come up with the idea, often taking them backwards in time to "old school" ways of working and removing automation because he doesn't understand it. None of the changes are documented or communicated. He tends to prefer dealing with the young technicians that have months of experience and avoids the more senior staff. I expect it's because they won't push back.

I've tried a million different ways to manage up, but it doesn't work. He just doesn't engage. The only engagement left now is when he picks systems and projects apart after the fact. Normally when it's not done exactly how he wants it done. He won't actually communicate what he wants until after the work is done and will not make a decision on anything even when pushed.

I've finally realised that he doesn't actually want to be a manager and is holding onto being a senior technician with all his might.

There are many many more issues that are shocking that I won't go into here.

I think I need to move on to a less toxic environment where I have a real manager that empowers me and their team, gives them the direction and resources to succeed... and can actually communicate!