Waly Sarr
Masters in Chemical Engineering, ENSIC-Nancy
Masters in Petrochemicals, Polymers and Plastics, L'Institut Français du Pétrole & McGill University, Montreal
Joined National Starch & Chemical: 2002
Currently working as a Process Engineer & Sealant Supervisor Manufacturing function
Where did you first hear about a graduate career with ICI?
I discovered ICI through the website. The company was not that well known outside the UK, so British friends were really influential too. My first impression was that of a company operating in a tough market, but prepared to take the challenge on - I liked that idea. We are very much in the proecess of taking on that challenge now and it gives me a sense of being involved in something like an adventure - exciting! I have never had that feeling more than during graduate events and it is very satisfying.
So what have your experiences been?
My first set of assignments was improving processes at a water based emulsions factory near Manchester, UK. Those emulsions are used in paints and adhesives. this involved a lot of good, complex process engineering,w hich was satisfying just after school! But it provided me with at least as much satisfaction and learning on project and innovation management, on top of the training received throughout the EGDP. I find working with people at a factory very rich, especially outside my own country - I learned about football and rugby aplenty!
Yet another great aspect was to work with lots of people from outside my site and function - R&D in the UK and on the continent, other manufacturing sites and all our contractors!
Then I moved to another division at a site near Lyon, France where I am now based. I look after a small team manufacturing high-value sealants, mainly for the auto industry. Now I focus a lot on people management, building effective teams and keeping people motivated.
ICI wants people to be very focused on their jobs - it's about being an efficient company. Yet there is scope for widening your horizons which is how I became an active part in the UK Chemical Industries Association Sustainability work group. And that activity was recognised as being part and parcel of my job!
And the future...
As the company becomes healthier, it also becomes more aggressive. So many extremely exciting opportunities arise in Europe and globally - and that's what our future is about!
