Joanna McKeeman

Can you describe your role at Umicore?

My main role is twofold – Program Manager and Team Leader. Together with my team we are responsible for the SAP system that’s used by the RBM and CSM business units. I oversee the program and my team are responsible for the hands on activities – implementations, rollouts, change request, improvements, interfaces, support etc.  
 
I also have a role in the IS Business Applications team as one of the department leaders. Together, the leaders oversee the wider program of applications used by the different BUs in the group. A lot of applications are integrated, so we always keep each other informed and up to date. It’s a bit like Inception – programs within programs within programs.

What do you like about your job?

It’s very diverse – I never know what’s going to come into my inbox from one day to the next. I work with a great team who always rise to the challenges we’re presented with. And, as we all know, Umicore is never short of challenges and having a good sense of humour can be essential sometimes.

What do you like about working at Umicore?

I like working for an international company as it allows me the cultural connection that I enjoy. In the IS department we have teams all over the world, not to mention all the BU and Corporate sites that we work and interact with. 
 
The fact that the company has committed so much to sustainability over the last few years is also a big plus. At least within my lifetime we’ll only have one planet, and it’s important to take care of it for the generations to come.

Why did you want to work at Umicore?

When I applied I was working as a project manager, but also implementing parts of the SAP solution in the projects I was managing. I really wanted to focus 100% on project management and that wasn’t possible in that company. A position opened up for a Sr Project Manager in Umicore and it was exactly what I was looking for. 
 
Honestly, I didn’t know much about Umicore as a company so had to do my homework, but I’m very happy that my application was successful.

What do you look forward to when you leave for work in the morning?

Definitely not the traffic!!  Although, I do get to sing along in the car without any complaints about my voice. 
 
When I’m in the office I enjoy the social interaction with the team and the face to face catchup. MS Teams has been an invaluable tool in a difficult situation, but it can’t replace the coffee corner chat.

What has been the highlight of your time at Umicore so far?

I’d have to say becoming a Team Leader.  I have a wonderful team working with me and they have delivered consistently through very challenging projects.  I’m a very democratic leader and I find that the team really engages when they’re able to make decisions themselves.  We’ve built a lot of trust and I absolutely value their opinions. 
 
I’m somewhat unconventional by Belgian standards, especially as a leader, and I think it’s been a bit of a shock for some of the team.  But we work well together and I don’t think there’s much I can surprise them with anymore.

Any advice for newcomers?

I have two pieces of advice: 
First is to pace yourself.  When you’re new and keen and hungry to prove everything to everyone, remember that there is a life outside work.  Start off your career with a healthy work/life balance and take it with you throughout your working life.  There will always be times where you need to work late or on the weekend, but it shouldn’t be structural. 
 
Second is don’t be afraid to take a chance if an opportunity comes your way.  I’ve taken many chances in my life so far.  In my more youthful years, being a consummate petrol head, I left a steady job to go to collage and study to be a car mechanic (and then an Accident Assessor). 
 
In hindsight it was the best decision I ever made.  It led to a cascade of events that eventually brought me to Belgium.  I’ve had opportunities in Belgium that I would never have dreamt possible had I remained in the UK. We often wish for something. That wish goes out into the universe and the universe responds. It might not be in the way that you expect – but it will respond, and you have to be open to hearing it.