How to know when your manager/boss is setting you up to FAIL

First of all, I would like to keep this anonymous and honestly, keep it to myself until i move to another job however, i couldn't help but vent, I can't even tell my co-workers since i don't want to put our professional relationship in jeopardy also, If i leave i wanted to have a good note on my stay there and no bridges are burned, just in case in the future, we might cross paths again.So before i tell my story, i would like to share a brief background about myself. I'm a product manager for a high growth ecommerce agency. The CEO actually recruited me to be part of his team and at the same time, i was offered a product owner role from a logistics company. They have the same offer in terms of compensation, benefits and opportunity. But what struck me the most is the CEO believed in my capabilities - i used to own my website development and management agency/ a former co-founder of a fashion ecommerce companyand they are looking into filling out that role - Product Manager for Web Dev/Management UnitSo I jumped shipped to join his company with the intention of growing my skills and experiences in Product Management. The contract states "Product Manager who will handle said unit" So i was excited that finally i got the expected salary and the work/position i'm passionate about. I said to myself I can't wait to grow with this company.but wait.... I was wrong after a year. On my first day, It was expectations vs reality.at my first few months, The clear expectation of me was to grow the unit and build the business. There was the other side of the spectrum, I don't know the commercials behind ecommerce. I started my career as a developer and worked towards a product role. so i handled most of the tech side not on the b2c commercial side. During my stay there, there was many changes in business direction with my business unit and sometimes no plans or directions at all. Also, This is the kind of company who restructures their organization every quarter. One time i had to report to the CBO instead and would mainly focus on building the websites for the client, next i would report to head of digital marketing then just focus on building webstores for clients. Then after a few months, i became my "own business unit head", now managing both commercials and website building without being informed, it became one whole unit at that moment - my boss at the time wanted to put both units together and I had to step up because at the time, clients are already complaining and they were still looking to hire someone for the head of this unit.you know what's worse is that they make these decision but set you up to fail. i didn't know until after a year that my pay-grade is "director level" and my job expectation was to be the actual head of the business unit until i was given feedback and appraisal after a year of staying there. Circling back - i straight up told them, "But i was under the impression that i will do this and instead of this since that is what the CEO told me"what i actually wish i said "You didn't hire me for said role, I actually had to step up for that role because we didn't have anyone to do it and Didn't i hit the yearly target this year for the role you are supposed to hire for?" mic drop. but we are professionals here. so I kept my calm and composed even though deep inside, i wanted to cry in front of him and fight back.Funny how my former manager at the time is based off my appraisal over emotion and on a subjective level but none on any key measurable metrics because he didn't know how to measure it and even where to begin.What's worse is when the board changes direction every quarter that they intended to have no clear plan for me and my business unit. - I asked the CEO what would be the expectation of me during my stay, he said do what you are hired to do and so I did- One time, I overheard the CEO and the team to stop sales acquisition to grow my business unit.- I was "director level" in terms of pay but was treated like middle management - I stayed there thinking a lot would change over a year and thinking i can prove myself - I did work beyond my duty - working beyond my scope even though it is out of my capabilities. and even the weekends/staying up late meeting deadlines (they actually commend this on my appraisal LOL)- Even my co-workers knew i should have been given a chance but still no- I did not came from "POPULAR" ecommerce platform and probably why they think i don't deserve the salary even though i had the same offers from other companies - I was the only business unit who was never given an opportunity to present my plans for next year and request for a budget and my colleague even warned me about this and he is part of the EXECOM team - happy to have friends like him- Another red flag is the CEO decided to create their in-house product, a competitor of my own business unit!! One time, He even offered me the opportunity to be the "Product manager" finally. The actual role i applied for, but had to take it back, given that they would rather hire someone else for the role even though i have already expressed my interest and excitement. Another red flag is My former manager at the time did everything in his power to finally demote me and reduce my pay at 30% during my appraisal and I was honestly expecting for a salary increase. So i accepted the pay cut since he framed it that i have been hired as the "Head of both units" instead of Product Manager. (i didn't know until then since he was hiring for a Commercial Manager at the time) And in that moment i felt that it is really time to leave this company. Not only did i feel mistreated and devalued. My market value even went down too.He sugarcoated it with saying that he wants to gear me towards success. When in reality, My manager and the CEO set me up to fail because they did the wrong thing of hiring me in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I'm culturally fit and everyone loves working with me but i guess there are certain people in my organization that don't believe in me since i didn't came from "POPULAR" ecommerce platform and that is okay. I do not live to please them. And right now, Funny how they would hire more people under me but cut my pay since my business unit is growing. Kinda wanna say it, kinda wanna keep it professional still.I know there is no way for me to get back my old salary since my other colleague who has been there for 3 years - only received 10% of increase when he should be getting paid more. Even though, my new manager said he will bring my salary back in 3 months, i didn't believe him.So Morale Lesson of the story - Leave when there is a lot of red flag and I felt it everyday when i'm in that office. I know you might be thinking. You should have left early on, But i had to sticked it out in a year because i love what i do, i love the people i worked with, the people i mentor but i don't see myself growing in an organization who doesn't want to give me a chance and an opportunity. I don't see it changing from then on since they would prefer to hire outside than promote inside. I've seen it with some employees who has been there for more than 3 years.so that is my whole year at this company, I had no one to talk to and just keep it to myself i guess. So i'm thankful that this support community is here. It was really a painful experience and up until now, I'm still staying at this company until i secure a better offer. I know my worth and i know what i bring to the table. I know my skills and talent would go tremendously in a company where they would give me a chance. I believe they just lost a dedicated employee with an unwavering loyalty and lifetime commitment. I used to work for a start up who pays me less than i deserve but i was there through the good and the bad.Now i'm looking for other opportunities and update - companies are offering me an opportunity with the same salary i had and a real Product role. But the most important part for me is culture fit and what is the real expectations of the role. I have learned my lesson already.so well thank you for making it up until here and hope you enjoyed my rant.