Process Engineer turned Purchasing Engineer
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In the blink of an eye, I’ve been a process engineer for almost eight years; this year it’s seven years, and I’ve also risen to the position of process lead. These days, while guiding driving on-site, I suddenly feel like I don’t want to work in the manufacturing field anymore. Why? Process engineers can tolerate frequent business trips, but overseeing driving tasks really seems a bit dangerous, especially when it’s not a project they designed themselves; China still doesn’t pay enough attention to safety issues. I’d like to switch to a job that allows me to spend more time at home with my wife and children; I’m okay with working long hours as long as I can get home. I didn’t want to leave home and be away for a long time. After thinking it over, I think switching to procurement could work; the technical aspects aren’t an issue. I just need to learn some things related to procurement, and in the future I can become a procurement engineer who has a deep understanding of technology. I’m not sure if my manager will agree. Anyway, I already earn a decent salary now, so I guess I’ll have to accept a lower salary if I switch to procurement, as I’d be considered a newcomer there. I’d appreciate suggestions from the experts～Thank you!
Those in procurement also often need to go to the manufacturing site for supervision and on-site guidance, but this is definitely better than being a process representative.
Salute to the process experts; we’ve lost a key member in the procurement team!
You are valuable because you know the skills and can drive; everyone gets bored after working for a long time, and I also hope to change environments. But working in procurement isn’t easy either; at least your salary will drop sharply. Choose whatever the original poster values most, and follow your own heart~
This post was last edited by konglongmaomi on 2016-1-14 at 19:33. Thank you to everyone who replied~~~ I’m not an expert in any particular craft; I’m just a beginner who has made some progress. Actually, going to the site isn’t that bad; it’s just a bit tough. The key issue is driving, and that’s a very troublesome problem. As an engineering company, we don’t conduct Hazop analyses; we refuse to replace materials if the inspection results are unsatisfactory. The operators we use are amateurs – people who drive tractors or work on cars. How am I supposed to do my job in such conditions? Do you think I’d dare to? In a good company, it’s an honor to work as a process engineer – the designs are sound and the systems are safe and reliable. But in a small company, no one cares about such things; the only focus is on cutting costs, and managers treat the lives of employees as nothing, let alone those of the operators. Sometimes I think about it and feel sorry for those who work there; such factories pose great risks. I can’t save them – all I can do is save myself. . . . .
Purchasing also requires being on-site, right?
Alas! Purchasing isn’t that easy either. All kinds of mental exhaustion
I noticed today that there are still comrades responding to this post; thank you all. In the blink of an eye, four months have passed. Since the company rejected my application earlier, I was forced to leave my job, and as a result I was unable to continue working as a process engineer. If I had to choose again, I might not opt for this approach to transformation; there are still too many obstacles. The chemical industry is in a poor state right now; I hope everyone will work harder and persevere~~~
I suggest not making the transfer; working in procurement involves a lot of social interactions, and there is little room for career advancement. This is just my personal suggestion.