Career Profile
Dave Bentley
Process Engineer
With a Masters in Chemical Engineering and some experience of Process Engineering gained within the petro-chemical industry, I joined Dow Corning in October 1996 on the recommendation of a graduate friend of mine who was already working here. At the time a major capacity expansion project was underway at the Barry site. So I knew this was a company that was as serious about its future as I was about mine: we both had ambition.
My first six years were spent in Manufacturing, where I was involved in short to mid-term process improvements. I’ve spent the last four-and-a-half years as a Project Leader within S&T (Science & Technology), focusing more on the mid to long-term development of processes from a holistic viewpoint. I’m currently in charge of a number of projects that fall mainly into the category of Learning Curve Development - essentially, we add value to raw materials and improve the total cost of manufacturing. Additionally, I’m a Technology Steward and a member of the Global Silicon Quality Team.
I enjoy my work immensely, and as you can deduce from my remit, I enjoy plenty of variety, too. Although based within S&T I’m not, as some people might assume, solely confined to the lab - the nature of my role means there is considerable contact with the commercial side of the business, for example. There’s also a lot of liaison with our department in Kentucky, which I’ve visited on numerous occasions; in fact, I’ve travelled widely since I’ve been with Dow Corning, including places as far afield as China. For me, the opportunity to work alongside people from different backgrounds and within different industries is one of the things I most like about my role... that and constantly striving to solve the ‘Holy Grails’ of S&T!
Whereas other companies can often channel your way of thinking, Dow Corning actively encourages you to think creatively, to acknowledge that there are many approaches to solving one particular problem. In that respect, the culture here is very refreshing. And very open, too - a flat organisational structure means you can approach anybody within the company for advice or help. As far as training goes, well, it would be something of an understatement to say it’s comprehensive. Since I’ve been here I’ve enjoyed technical, safety, legal and behavioural training, as well as training in project management techniques and Six Sigma methodologies - all of which have increased my value within the company.
If you were to ask me to sum up Dow Corning in one word, it would have to be ‘opportunity’. The opportunity to identify and exploit your strengths. The opportunity to explore a diverse range of career paths within one company. And the opportunity to make your mark on a truly global business. You couldn’t really ask for more than that.
