Pros
High Autonomy for Self-Starters: If you're the kind of person who can carve out your own path, you'll find opportunities to lead impactful projects. I was able to drive digital innovation from the lab to production and beyond. Cross-Functional Exposure: Started in process chemistry and gradually moved into digital modelling and AI applications - rare flexibility for an industrial business. Opportunities to Innovate: If you’ve got ideas, there’s room to build. Smart Colleagues: Some of the most knowledgeable engineers and chemists I've worked with. Plenty to learn if you're proactive. Niche Tech Opportunities: Advanced manufacturing, real-time modelling, process data science, and industrial AI aren't buzzwords here - they’re actual priorities if you're in the right team.
Cons
Frequent Restructuring: The business has been in a near-constant state of reorganization. Feels like short-term financial engineering has replaced long-term strategy. Top-Down Culture: Decision-making is still very hierarchical. Some excellent grassroots ideas never get traction due to internal politics. Unclear Progression for Tech Roles: Despite high-impact contributions, career progression into leadership or strategic roles can be murky if you're not in the "right" network. Risk-Averse at the Top: Innovation is celebrated in theory but often met with caution when it challenges traditional structures or revenue models.