Meet Natasha Jan, a newly promoted Alstom Aftermarket Bid Manager working in our rail services team
Meet Natasha Jan, a newly promoted Alstom Aftermarket Bid Manager working in our rail services team
Natasha Jan joined Alstom six years ago, and was just promoted from her most recent role as a Project Manager in Parts, Components, Repairs and Overhauls, (P&CRO), an important part of our rail services business. From working in aviation and non-profit to taking a career break, she shares how her experiences had an impact in her career, including co-chairing a chapter of the Alstom Women of Excellence (AWE) employee resource group.
What do you do at Alstom?
Up until recently, I was the P&CRO Project Manager, working on aftermarket projects where the customer needs Alstom’s services to perform a repair, overhaul or upgrade on their fleet. Additionally, I worked on business development projects for P&CRO in collaboration with our Sales, Engineering, Customer Service and Procurement teams to develop parts catalog pricing, and selling of kits and obsolescence management solutions to Alstom’s install base. This work positioned me well for this new role as Bid Manager that I am currently transitioning into for the North American market.
What has been your favourite part of your work, and why?
On my last project as a Project Manager, I was responsible for managing the cost, quality and schedule, as well as maintaining regular communication with the customer throughout the project. My favourite aspect of the project was collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders. Internally, I worked closely with Engineering, Procurement, Finance, Quality and our key suppliers, ensuring that all functions are aligned. With our customer, regular communication helped build trust and collaboration. The cross functional nature of the job allows me to build a better overall understanding of our business.
How do you ensure continuous improvement and innovation in your projects?
Sometimes when we think about innovation, we think about a very complex idea or product. On a day-to-day basis though, when we observe gaps in our ability to do our jobs, this becomes a seed for innovation or continuous improvement. Many of my improvements or innovations are related to reporting as this is a vital project management skillset. Our customers are also a key source of feedback that help shape our innovation strategy!
Can you share about your experience prior to joining Alstom?
I spent over ten years in the aviation industry, as a Business Analyst, Customer Account Representative, with roles in Sales Forecasting, and Customer Satisfaction. I also worked as a consultant and project manager for a non-profit, honing my skills in proposal writing and managing social services projects with multiple community partners in Montreal.
What are some key differences you’ve observed between managing projects in the aviation industry and the transportation sector?
Rail products are more customised to customer requirements and operating environments, whereas aviation is more standardised. As an example, rail often requires setting up local content manufacturing to comply with contracts, unlike aviation, which has specialised industry standards and regulatory requirements In rail, adaptability and agility are crucial for meeting customer requirements, maintaining project schedules, costs, quality, and customer satisfaction.
After a five-year career break, how did you overcome challenges in returning to work?
I had to reflect on my skills and career goals before deciding on my career path. I started as a Proposals Coordinator at Alstom, then as a Project Manager in P&CRO, and have now progressed to Bid Manager, working to deliver aftermarket proposals to our customers.
The biggest challenge in a new company is learning the acronyms and navigating the complexities of the organisation. Persistence, initiative, and getting to know colleagues inside and outside your department are key. I also went on site visits for opportunities to learn about our products and our customers. This helped me significantly.
Can you tell us about being co-chair of the AWE chapter in Saint-Bruno, Canada?
AWE offers a safe space for women and allies to discuss experiences and exchange on ideas that can drive inclusion at work. Women represent approximately 25% of our global workforce, and the goal is to grow that percentage. AWE also helps provide opportunities for personal and professional development, networking and recognition events, and some fun socialising time. We are helping make Alstom a great place to work!
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