Rita Sheng: the making of an Expert
For her job as a Technical Specialist working for Quality & Technical Center at Vallourec Tianda in Chuzhou, Rita Sheng has been recognized as Vallourec Expert in 2021, and she is one of the first female experts in the Middle-East Asia Region.
What exactly does your job imply?
My main duties consist in defining the product catalog for each produc family and communicating it to the sales department. I also have to monitor the process performance, exchange with the process engineer of each line and manage the related technical data. Sometimes, product inquiries are unusual, and I coordinate with the process engineer to analyze the technical requirement.
I also support the new industry route or product development by following up on the development process and collecting the related data and preparing the appropriate report afterwards. I check the technical documents given to the customer, including quality plan documents, and I exchange with the sales department to get a general idea of the market requirements. Finally, I support the sales team in all the technical problems, as well as customer audit and other technical issues.
Working at Vallourec Tianda is especially interesting because, since the integration, this plant (formerly known as Tianda Oil Pipe) has undergone many changes. For example, through the audits of divisions, the mill has improved a lot and passed many crucial tests launched by Vallourec Group. The direct supports from corporate company has helped Vallourec Tianda analyze the root causes more systematically and track the KPIs more easily.
What is your background?
I majored in metal material science and engineering. I have then spent seven years with Vallourec, first working in a testing laboratory, before moving to the export department to provide sales management and technical support. For the past four years, I have worked at my local technical center.
As a woman with a technical background in a predominantly male sector, I have determined the exact ratio of firmness to flexibility necessary to do her job. I excel in my chosen field, putting my creativity, patience and determination to work on fixing complex technical issues for industrial projects.
What do you especially like about working at Vallourec?
Vallourec offers a good framework to develop employees’ skills. We have hardworking and empathetic teams that help you achieve rapid personal development.
You have been recognized as a Vallourec Expert in 2021. What does this title mean?
Vallourec Experts program recognition system is consistent with what is done in operations; it gives visibility internally and it is also understandable by our external partners. Therefore, back in July 2020, when I applied, I realized how big the recognition would be for me. I was also one of the first female experts in the MEA region.
As a participant I learned a lot through the many different challenges I faced. For example, since the market situation today is quite tough, I need to work with my team to simultaneously save money on raw material and develop new premium products to meet market demands. Although it’s challenging, I am confident we will overcome the difficulties as a team.
What did you recently accomplish that makes you proud?
I have learnt how to teach a technical module related to mechanical trials and I can now support employees’ knowledge development in Vallourec Tianda regarding material science. I am currently teaching a course on the topic.
The first sessions took place at the end of August, and I am happy to say that a dozen of employees attended. It will help them get a theoretical background and improve their way to operate in the plant.
What advice would you give to young women who want to work in your field?
Always trust yourself and be confident in your abilities. No one knows better than you do what your skills are, or how much you can accomplish.
