Ana-Maria Ilie
Name: Ana-Maria Ilie
Age: 34
Company/ Position: thyssenkrupp Materials Romania, Chief Purchasing Officer
Education: Doctor Engineer: Material Science and Engineering, University “Politehnica” of Bucharest
Hobby: Travelling to discover new cultures and places, snowboarding, reading and writing, movies
Why did you choose the steel industry and why thyssenkrupp Materials Romania?
When I finished the college I had a lot of options for Universities and I chose “Material Science and Engineering” because I wanted to make something different and after this I can say that the steel industry chose me. During my first year as PhD I was recommended by my academic teacher to take part to an interview at thyssenkrupp which was a real success and an important start for my career.
What are the daily challenges for someone who chooses to work in such a „tough industry”?
As a Chief Purchasing Officer, finding the most reliable resources is counterbalanced by controlling the selling, marketing and managing the products and the fun comes in the market times we are experiencing nowadays in this industry where only keen observers succeed.
What makes it exciting? What is it that attracts you to this industry or to thyssenkrupp Materials Romania?
The steel industry in general is exciting, a domain so less attractive for women yet so rewarded in discoveries and knowledge.
Doing your job may get into a routine after almost 9 years in the company, but somehow when the company is an international group with common sense policies where promoting is open to anyone, things don’t get bored. On the contrary, you have the chance to learn and develop yourself day by day. I started as a Contracting and Purchasing Representative Spot Orders and in 2 years I controlled in turn more products, learning thus a lot of things and crossing a lot of challenges. Another interesting topic is the global projects we are involved in. So diverse, yet all converging to getting a better real control of the business, being part of the change every day. I’m attracted to a company that is in the middle of things, if it happens in the world, we are experiencing it within the Group. In thyssenkrupp Materials Romania I found out that women are seen as professionals only, an energetic environment, open-minded with a lot of opportunities.
How can you best balance work and private life to make time for everything? Is it even possible? What is the secret of your success?
Agility is something you learn everyday, starting from parental education, when organizing and prioritizing seemed abstract, now they’ve become fully practical. I slide through challenges with optimism and a lot of positive attitude saying yes to new things and challenges.
Why do you recommend the women@MX initiative to your female colleagues?
I really do recommend women@MX initiative to all my female colleagues because they have a big chance to be seen and to be heard. It might seem uncomfortable at the beginning, but what great thing has ever been done inside the comfort zone?