Anton's fast track from engineering graduate to supply chain consultant
Anton Moreels - August 2, 2023
Picture this: It’s September 2022, and I’ve just graduated from Ghent University with a master's degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR). Stoked to kickstart my career, I had a clear wishlist in mind: work-life balance, applying my tech skills, and never-ending learning. And believe it or not, in just three months, I transformed from an engineering grad to a supply chain implementation consultant! Let me take you through my awesome journey.
Job hunting: finding the perfect fit
First things first, the job hunt! I was on a mission to find the perfect job that ticked all my boxes. I was looking for freedom and autonomy to plan my work, so none of that corporate pressure that squeezes the life out of junior employees at big consulting firms.
I also wanted to work for a successful company that was growing sustainably but at a healthy pace. And of course, I wanted to put my IEOR skills to good use and learn from industry experts.
While chatting with my good friend Thomas, who happened to work at OMP, he suggested that the company would be a perfect fit for me. OMP, a rapidly growing software company, founded in Belgium and known for its supply chain expertise. As a consultant at OMP, I would have the chance to work across various industries and become an expert in one of them. Intrigued, I decided to give it a shot after a few interviews with other companies.
"I was looking for freedom and autonomy to plan my work, so none of that corporate pressure that squeezes the life out of junior employees at big consulting firms."
Signed, sealed, employed!
The application process at OMP was smooth and efficient. Thanks to Thomas’ referral, I got invited to their career day, which was packed with assessments and interviews. It was intense but exciting. I tackled individual tests on programming and supply chain knowledge, followed by interviews with managers from different teams. If everything went well, I could leave with a job offer on the same day.
Unfortunately, I could not attend due to thesis obligations. But OMP showed flexibility and allowed me to present my topic of choice on another day, which turned out to be a success. My presentation on a real-life application of the traveling salesman problem landed me the job offer. Woohoo! 🎉
Classroom training: building a strong foundation
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Month 1 started with classroom training at OMP’s auditorium, bringing together around 30 new faces, including mine. It felt like being back in university but with a more relaxed vibe. The best part? It was all about teamwork and collaboration. If we got stuck during a test, we could just ask our neighbors for help. It quickly became clear that OMP is all about working together, not competing against each other.
Through this training, I met a bunch of fun and inspiring people. We even organized a trip to the Belgian Ardennes! Of course, the early mornings were a challenge for this night owl. Living an hour and a half away from the office meant leaving home at 7 a.m. each day, but the experience was worth it.
"It felt like being back in university but with a more relaxed vibe. The best part? It was all about teamwork and collaboration".
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The onboarding project: trial and error
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During the onboarding project, we immersed ourselves in a simulated customer project using real-life data from a fictional company. It was an opportunity to put our learning into practice, working in small groups with the support of a dedicated coach. We explored the complexity of the OMP application through trial and error, and yes, we even managed to break the repository, much to our coach’s surprise. Oops. đź¤
To wrap up the project, our more experienced colleagues played the role of customers, and we had to present and hand over our work. It was a valuable learning experience that boosted my confidence and skills.
"We explored the complexity of the OMP application through trial and error, and yes, we even managed to break the repository, much to our coach’s surprise. Oops."
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Customer projects: the real deal
Finally, in month 3, it was time for the real deal – customer projects. I was assigned to work with chemical industry customers Huntsman and Unipetrol. To my surprise, I was able to contribute more than I had expected, thanks to the combination of my education, the OMP courses, and the onboarding project.
Today, my work involves a mix of project-specific tasks and solution-oriented work. In the projects, I implement the OMP Solution, conduct analyses, and identify and resolve any issues that arise. On top of that, I help develop OMP's industry-specific chemical solution.
Enjoying the perks
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As I became more autonomous in my role, the perks kicked in. Now, I sometimes work from home, and let’s just say it’s been a sweet goodbye to those early mornings. I’ve got the best of both worlds with my office days split between the Ghent office, which is closer to home, and the head office in Antwerp. And whenever I’m at the head office, I always try to make sure to hit the padel court with my colleagues after work.
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Looking back, moving forward
In just three months, my wishlist turned into a list of achievements. It's been a rollercoaster, packed with challenges, teamwork, and a ton of learning. And guess what? I even got to play the role of a demanding customer for the newbies on our latest onboarding project. It was a blast and it made me realize how much I’ve grown in such a short time.
So, where do I dream of being three years from now? I see myself in a position with more responsibilities and exciting challenges, surrounded by a bunch of cool colleagues – still learning, still growing, and still making a meaningful impact on the world.
If you're an engineering graduate like I was, looking for a fast-paced yet supportive environment, I totally recommend exploring the world of supply chain consulting. Who knows, it might lead you on an adventure just like mine.
Anton Moreels
Supply Chain Consultant
Biography
Joining OMP in 2022 as a fresh graduate, Anton dove straight into the chemicals industry. As part of the Delivery team, he works as an implementation consultant, providing tailored solutions to customers. Leveraging his technical skills, he also helps develop OMP's industry-specific chemicals solution.
