D. Agyemang
Can you describe your role/position at Umicore?
As an R&D Manager in the Products Development Team, I manage both human and material resources for the Rechargeable Battery Materials business unit (RBM).
What do you like about your job?
Personally, I like new challenges because it brings up the best in me. My team is very international and diverse. Some of my colleagues come from different continents with their own cultural backgrounds. When you bring in so many different ideas into one pool, you realize that you have to push more to obtain the best results. This is very enriching and it challenges me to do more and better.
What do you like about working at Umicore?
There are multiple reasons. What I like the most, is that the company puts its employees, their development and their safety first. Apart from the diversity and the different cultures, Umicore has a very strong culture of openness, respect and teamwork. No matter what your background or position is, you are allowed to express your opinion, and you are respected because of who you are.
Why did you want to work at Umicore?
Umicore is very focused on making a real difference in materials technology and recycling with immense dedication for clean mobility and sustainability, I wanted to be part of this movement to create a safer, cleaner and better world. Developing technology for rechargeable battery materials was highly motivating to me.
What do you look forward to when you set off to work in the morning?
When I leave for work every morning, I look forward to meeting with my colleagues during the day. Umicore employs a lot of young and energetic researchers, with whom you can discuss many different topics. We all have the strong ambition to make a positive impact and a meaningful difference.
What has been the highlight of your time at Umicore so far?
In my first six months I took over a strategic and challenging project that involves evaluating, positioning and defining material specification from several external precursor vendors towards product development. Even though it was quite a challenging task which included a lot of activities, my team and I were able to narrow down, proposed specifications, and have made recommendations to be used as a model system for the future product development.
Any advice for newcomers?
Umicore is a very dynamic company and we see ourselves as one family. I would encourage newcomers to open up and share their ideas. Make sure to express your ambitions and the company will help you to develop them.