Wei Shi

 

My name is Wei Shi. I am 30 years old and work in Shanghai as a technical manager for Woodcare & HPC product segments. I graduated at Fudan University China in BSc Chemistry in 2003 before going on to do an MSc in Nottingham University in the UK. My final thesis was on hydrogen storage in carbon nanomaterials.

My primary area of expertise is developing emulsion paints and woodcare coatings. I first joined ICI in January, 2005, as a senior research chemist working on interior and exterior emulsion paints in Guangzhou, China. Later that year I took up a post as management trainee in the woodcare business in Guangzhou. This was followed by another stint in the UK in 2007 as a management trainee in the research, international woodcare and trade emulsion teams. 

Since the end of 2008, I have been working in Shanghai as a product development and project manager. My work ranges from developing new Levis & Dulux retail products, raw material integration and product rationalization to heading projects such as project arrow and a new slurry change over. In my new position, I lead two teams at separate locations for Woodcare & High performance coating. This brings new challenges in product chemistry as well as in areas such as application, customer relations and management.

I really enjoy this combination of research and frontline application work because I’m able to pursue my love of chemistry, while getting to know how the business works and how customers tick. It’s fantastic that AkzoNobel provides the working climate and opportunity to work on business skills that drive innovation in which contact with customers is central.

From a scientist’s point of view, it´s an opportunity to progress on all fronts. Both on a pure research level, as well as contributing to the business operation. Do I have time for myself? Certainly. AkzoNobel actively encourages a healthy work-life balance in which I can make a meaningful contribution to society and develop as an individual.