Careers with ABB Energy Industries

• Briefly explain who you are and what you do

I am a Project Manager for ABB, I work within the Process Automation, Energy Industries Department.

• Have you always worked in Project Management?

I started my career as an apprentice chef, I qualified and quickly realised I really enjoyed working under pressure, but I loved working with people, keeping people motivated in a high-pressure environment. I got a job as a Project Co-ordinater and I was exposed to the project environment, organising, managing projects and leading people, I loved it!  I have been a Project Manager for over 10 years now, and I still love it!

• Why did you want to work for ABB?

I wanted to work for ABB as they are international engineering company that is continuing to develop technologies.  I knew they had some really exciting projects and wanted to be part of it.

• What were you doing before you joined ABB?

Previously to working for ABB, I worked for a large telecoms company, managing the decommissioning of redundant equipment and the installation of replacement equipment.

• What were you expecting when you took on the role?

I didn’t really know what to expect when I started, everyone I had interviewed with and met on my tour of the facility has been really nice, and I got a really nice feel from the place.  Its really important to me to work in an environment with a positive and healthy culture, and I felt that from ABB. Prior to starting I received a mail, it was a video saying Welcome to ABB, we can’t wait for you to start.  It was so well thought out, I was really impressed and it made me excited to see what they would have to offer. 

• What are the best things about working for the Energy Industries business?

I really enjoy working in Energy Industries, every day is a learning day.  As a Company ABB dedicate a lot of time and money to research and development, and they are never fazed by a challenge.  If a client needs a solution, the team get their heads together and come up with a solution.  It’s a really exciting environment to work in, that is ever changing and evolving.

• What would you say to young females looking to work in project management?

If you are a young female thinking about a career in Project Management, I would highly recommend it.  It’s a great career, challenging but rewarding. And if you are looking for a role as a PM in ABB, then there couldn’t be a better place.  As an engineering company we have a higher male headcount in our projects department, but ABB has great equality policies, and I feel like part of the team, just another PM treated no different from my male counterparts. But there are loads of resources and support out there should I feel I, or one of my colleagues need it, our Global Female Mentoring Program, Shadow a Women Leader Programme, as well as flexible working practices.

• Looking forward, how would you like to see your career developing with ABB?

I hope to be working at ABB for a long time and think there are lots of opportunities to grow and develop not as a project manager, but within other disciplines.  I’m excited to see where the future takes me.

• Briefly explain who you are and what you do

I’m James and I’ve worked for ABB since 2011 and I am currently part of the PAEN UK Sales Management team. My role is Sales Manager – Key Accounts and Studies and I’m focused on three main areas. Firstly, I personally manage several Key Accounts that are strategically important to ABB, and also provide guidance and development to other account managers in the team. I lead the development of ABBs Study offering, its sales strategy and oversight of the sales funnel. Lastly, I lead a number of large project pursuits that have links to the accounts I manage.   

• Was this your first Account Management role?

No, I joined the sales team in 2018 and my first role was an Account Manager in our service and consulting team, this developed with the business to a full portfolio role. I applied and was promoted to my current role in 2022.

• What were you doing before you joined ABB?

Immediately before joining ABB I worked for Invensy’s IMServ business as a project application engineer. I was part of a team that engineered and installed systems to automate heating and lighting control for commercial buildings and retail outlets, with the aim of reducing energy consumption.  

• Why did you want to work for ABB?

I’ve always been fascinated and impressed by large engineering and infrastructure projects, I’ve also always enjoyed travelling and had an urge to work in different places and with different cultures. ABB was able to offer a career that satisfied both ambitions. ABB being a very well respected company in its field sealed the deal! 

• What was your first role in the company?

I joined ABB on the graduate scheme and my first role was a graduate control systems engineer. I did all parts of building a control system from coding graphics and writing sequences to system testing and creating documents and drawings.

• What were you expecting when you took on the role? Did it meet or surpass your expectations?

I didn’t know what to expect when I joined ABB, I was a bit disenfranchised with work and career at the time and needed something to ‘get my teeth into’. Everyone I worked with was very supportive and encouraging, and happy to help me learn and so my first months and years were happy times.

• How would you describe your experience of working with ABB?

In work as in life you have ups and downs, but I’ve always had much more ups than downs working for ABB. Its testament I’m still here after 13 years. I’ve seen positive change through the years and we are in a strong position now to make the most of what we do best. I’ve had a fulfilling and rewarding career to date with ABB and I can still see more to come.  

• What have been your highlights in your ABB career to date?

There have been so many good moments that I reflect on, but I can condense to 4 main.

1. Going to Australia as part of the team to build and commission the QGC Surat Basin coal seam gas project. I’d achieved my ambition to be part of a large infrastructure project (for comparison, the asset covered an area the size of Wales). It was an amazing time both personally and professionally, I made some great friends and saw some fantastic places.
2. Lead Engineer for TANAP Containers, my first proper lead role was to design and build 80 of the equipment room for the TANAP pipeline in Turkey. Providing leadership to a team of engineers and vendors was a steep learning curve but we successfully delivered, and the time I spent in Turkey I will never forget.
3. Securing my first large sale – proving I could develop a strategy and carry through to sell a solution to a client. This was a 3MGBP Electrical Substation to an LPG import terminal in the UK, it’s a great feeling to see it implemented and working after a good delivery.
4. Taking a step up to sales manager. It’s a lot of responsibility but it feels good to be able to provide leadership and guidance to others and drive towards a common goal.

• What would you say to a young person looking to work in Sales and Account Management?

Invest time to understand what we do and how we do it, my time in engineering gave me the grounding for sales. Listen – especially to your customers and understand what it is they really want or need, also to your colleagues as they will help you. Be curious, never be afraid to ask questions or consider a new or different idea. Learn resilience, you will be challenged and sometimes you wont like it. Be cool, learn how to remain positive and deal with difficult situations, take 5 when you need it. Lastly, have fun – make sure you enjoy what you do for a living – and if you don’t then change it.