Engineering for Manufacturing

 

What first interested you in a career with AkzoNobel?

I was really impressed by the open atmosphere and the down to earth mentality of AkzoNobel, which was apparent even before I joined, but is especially present in the manufacturing site in Rotterdam, where I am based.

What were your first impressions of AkzoNobel?

I really like the large amount of freedom I have in my work and the responsibilities I have.  I was only working at AkzoNobel for a few weeks when I was given the responsibility for my first project which had a project of over 100,000 Euros.  Of course, I was coached by a senior technologist but still it was quite a responsibility when you’ve just left university!

What skills have you learnt and applied to your job?

So far, I have gained experience and training within project management and I’ve also had several technical training courses which have been specifically relevant to my job.  I’ve found the project management skills very useful in my first job as a process technologist as I was able to apply what I had learnt immediately to the role that I was carrying out.

What have been your experiences to date?

At the beginning of this year, I changed jobs from a Process Technology to a Production Coordinator.  The main difference is that I’m involved in the day to day running of a production plant which can often be quite hectic!  In my new role I also represent the production department in meetings and projects with other departments, for example planning, customer services and maintenance. 

What are you next career steps with AkzoNobel?

In the near future, I will be in charge of a group of process operators who are responsible for the operational side of maintenance and support projects within the plant.  These individuals will be transferred from a continuous shift pattern to a day shift pattern.  This new part of my role will be my first step in the direction of leadership and I’m really looking forward to it.