Case studies: Metallurgist: Richard

Richard enjoys the variety that the job holds. It may involve a day in the office interrogating data, or he may be called out to the shop floor to provide technical expertise.

My university degree was in biomaterials, and many of the modules I studied involved metallurgy and the processing of materials, including steel making and rolling. These prepared me for my chosen career in metallurgy and provided me with a very useful background to what I do now on a day-to-day basis. As materials engineering is quite a specialised subject, I feel that I have been able to apply in my job both the theoretical and - as some of my job is lab-based - the practical elements of my degree as well.

After graduating, I spotted a technical graduate position at Outokumpu Stainless Ltd in Sheffield. After an initial application to a third-party recruitment company, I was invited to a lengthy graduate assessment day, after which I was invited back to the site in Sheffield for a tour of the plant and a final interview.

Upon joining Outokumpu, I spent time learning the steel-making process and building up relationships with the shop floor. At first I was actively involved in projects to improve the efficiency of the melt-shop and also cooperating with the shop floor to decrease the defect levels. I was given my own small project with limited responsibility and my project was heavily guided by my mentor and manager in the early stages.

As time has progressed, my role has developed, and I'm now the leader of a continuous improvement team of seven technical staff. We work to reduce defect levels in stainless steel that is supplied to our customers and regularly consult with external suppliers to set up trials that will increase the quality of the steel. We also deal with customer enquiries and customer complaints. We actively work with the customers, both internal and external, to improve the quality of the product. This liaison with the customers involves requesting samples, examining them, analysing the defects that have arisen and feeding back our findings to the shop floor to ensure that defects do not repeat. I'm also actively involved in continuous improvement projects within the company.

Obviously a background in materials/metallurgy helps to acquire the role initially, but the job may not be suitable for everyone. A friendly, easy-going attitude is often needed within the steel industry as some time is spent out on plant, interacting with shop floor and organising trials. The success and quality of feedback often depend on the relationships built up with the operators on plant.

Analytical and problem-solving skills are essential for work as a metallurgist. Often data must be interrogated in order to determine the origin of defects in the steel sold to our customers. Problem-solving skills must then be utilised to ensure these defects do not arise again.

I enjoy the variety that the job holds. It may involve a day in the office interrogating data, or I may be called out to the shop floor to provide technical expertise. This also provides me with a chance to learn from the operators, some of whom are very experienced and highly opinionated.

The development of new stainless steel grades I find particularly interesting. I also enjoy the atmosphere within the workplace, which certainly helps some trials go quicker!

Working for an international company provides opportunity to travel. As we are based in Sweden and Finland, I think I'll spend several months next year gaining experience in some other business units abroad. After this, I think it would be a good idea to gain some practical steel making experience working within the melt shop, which will hopefully help me to progress into management.

As we produce steel 24/7, trials may not be during normal working hours. They may be in the middle of the night, usually with me there! But it’s all worth it when it comes together! Metallurgy has numerous closely related branches and offers many opportunities both within the UK and abroad. I also believe that a career in the steel industry has a bright future. The industry has been going through dramatic change over the past few years with new, large investments and up-to-date mills.