Research & Development

 

What influenced you to join AkzoNobel?

I joined the company because I wanted to work for a large multinational, which would hopefully give me variety in my job as well as potential opportunity to travel a bit too.  I felt that the Graduate Development Programme offered me good opportunities to progress within the company in a relatively short space of time, and it seemed like I would be given real challenges right from the start.  I also wanted to work for a company which made products I could be proud of, that were on sale in shops – giving me a great sense of job satisfaction.

How would you sum up AkzoNobel both as a company and as an employer?

I feel that AkzoNobel is a very dynamic company which is always looking for ways to grow and improve.  My experiences to date have allowed me to be very creative and innovative.  Some of the projects I have worked on or seen my peers work on in other departments have been very exciting and I have really enjoyed working for a business that promotes “courage and curiosity to question”.  This philosophy suits me very well as I have always experimented with new ways of doing things and I feel I have the freedom and encouragement to do this in AkzoNobel.

What training have you undergone?

In addition to the training and development that I have obtained as part of the Graduate Development Programme, I have also had various other training opportunities so far, including Six Sigma (Green Belt), experimental design, project management, first aid and many more.  The Green Belt course has taught me about the importance of using facts and statistics in a logical manner in order to make informed decisions and the project I have been working on as part of my Green Belt training will improve the efficiency of my department as well as staff morale.  I am now managing my own projects and the skills I have learnt on the project management course will be invaluable in my new role.

What have been the main challenges you’ve encountered and how has this helped you in your role?

I joined Akzonobel in May 2007 after completing my PhD in Chemistry.  I had no previous formulation experience so the main challenge I faced was learning a lot in a short space of time.  This was probably the most satisfying challenge I have faced up to, as I now feel I can apply the principles I have learnt in my new projects. 

Up until now, I have been working on a 2010 Project, which has involved a major reformulation of our current solvent-borne trim products and has involved working to some very tight deadlines.  I have recently taken on responsibility for project managing a new innovation project through the development stage and this is something that I am very excited about.  I am also now starting to gain experience as a line manager (managing people), which I hope will be useful to me when it comes to applying for a more senior role in the future.

What does the future hold for you?

I am currently very much enjoying my role and the variety of tasks I do.  I am planning on staying in the business unit that I work in, for at least a few more years and I would like to take on a more managerial R&D role.  I would then possibly think about a secondment to another part of the business especially as working abroad has always excited me.  I feel I have lots of opportunity to progress within the company and I have been given plenty of support from my line managers which has helped me gain some of the experience I will need to do this. 

Do you have a work/life balance?

Outside of work, I play the oboe and have recently joined a local band.  I also enjoy going to the gym and swimming.  Having spent a few years living abroad I also try and visit the friends I made whilst there and I am intending to travel a bit more in the future.  I have recently bought a flat and am currently spending a large amount of time decorating it and fixing it up.  I feel I have a good work/life balance and I am planning on keeping it that way in the future!