What university and course did you study?
(Bio)Chemical Engineering at The University of Bath
Why did you join AstraZeneca?
I wanted to join a high profile multi-national to give me the flexibility and support in my career development I was looking for. I chose AstraZeneca because the company culture fitted well with my own views and beliefs. Right from the 1st interview I felt comfortable with the people I would potentially be working with.
What does your job involved?
As a Process Engineer I get involved with all aspects of developing manufacturing processes for drug supply. My role involves working with the Laboratory chemists and investigating new synthetic routes right the way through to working with the manufacturing teams at commercial scale to look at optimisation of existing processes.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
In a word, diversity. Process Engineers by background have a very broad education and are used to dealing with the many aspects the role demands. Working within AstraZeneca I get to interact with people of all disciplines from many parts of the business and need to know enough about what they do to communicate with a common language. This diversity in my role means no two days are the same and is the key to the enjoyment of my role.
What's the most challenging aspect of your role?
As well as making the role interesting the diversity of work is also what makes it so challenging. Process engineers within AstraZeneca must think about all aspects of a process and influence their project teams to ensure these issues are considered. This requires a working knowledge of both technical aspects or process engineering but also a good commercial awareness. Managing all these aspects and interfaces makes the role challenging but also provides a great learning opportunity.
What makes a great Process Engineer?
I believe it's big picture thinking that makes a great Process Engineer. Process Engineers are involved in all aspects of the business. The ability to look at the wider implications of what you are doing and consider the impact of your actions on other areas and work streams is key to becoming a successful Process Engineer.
What do you enjoy most about working for AstraZeneca?
The most enjoyable aspects of working for AstraZeneca are the responsibility and respect every individual is given from day one. This means real roles with real demands and deadlines and this gives me a real sense of worth and purpose within the organisation.
If you were not doing your current role what would you like to do?
If I were not working as a Process Engineer I would love a job within the Motor-Sports industry as a team technical director or similar. I motor race in my spare time and really enjoy both the technical and competitive aspects of doing this as a hobby.
What can you not live without?
I would have to say Microsoft Excel would be one of the major things I could not live without. I live on Excel, using it for data analysis both at work and as part of my hobby. Loosing it and having to resort to iterative paper calculations by hand would be a disaster.
Who would be invited to your fantasy dinner party?
I think it would have to be a top sports person of some sort. With my love for motor-sport I would say someone like Michael Schumacher or Damon Hill. But really I think any top sports person would be interesting. Anyone who is prepared to give such total commitment and dedication to achieve and succeed in achieving their desires would be very interesting to have a chat with - and hopefully pick up some tips from.
What's the trait you most admire in other people?
I would say determination in the face of adversity is the trait I most admire in other people. Both at work, but more importantly in everyday life people have to face great hardship such a disability or illness. People who don't give up in these situations and embrace the opportunities - they deserve everyone's admiration.
