A Career in Science, from A Career in Science, from Synthesis to SalesSynthesis to Sales

Louisa Jane Quegan24th March 2011 louisa.quegan@sial.com

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Introduction

•Who am I?• Louisa Jane Quegan• Louisa.quegan@sial.com• 07787 862802

•What do I do?• Account Manager

•Where do I do it?• Sigma Aldrich UK, East Anglia and East Midlands

•How do I do it?

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Sigma Aldrich

• Leading supplier of products and services worldwide to the science industry

• 187,000 products

• ABCM

• 80% orders SSD

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Career Progression

PharmorphixScientistJun 04

Pfizer

Pharmorphix

PharmorphixScientist II

Jun 06

Sigma AldrichAccount Manager

Jun 10 topresent

OSIStudent ScientistJun 02 – Aug 03

2 :1 MChemUNIS

May 04

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OSI PharmaceuticalsStudent Scientist

A typical (small scale) reaction going on in chemical development.

Chris Hidden just completing a reaction in the 20 litre reactor.

The Chemical Development

Team:Dr Paul Briner

Ms Louisa CubittMr Andy Flood

Mr Chris HiddenMr David McArthurMs Emma Morris

Ms Esra MutluMr Clive PolleyDr Joe RechkaMr Mike Rogers

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Pharmorphix (Ltd)Scientist & Scientist II

• Scientist• Design and execution of experiments:

– Salt selection, polymorphism, crystallisation• Analysis of my samples

– XRPD, GVS, HPLC, TGA/DSC, HSM• Interpretation of my data• Presentation of my data

Scientist II• All of above• Project Management:

– Responsible for making sure Scientists understood the scope of the project

– Allowing the Scientists to manage their time – Responsible for projects invoicing on time

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Sigma AldrichAccount Manager• To be the face of Sigma Aldrich for set accounts within a territory

• To ensure customers are:• Happy• Aware• Supported

• To maintain a high level of activity within accounts and try to reach as many potential customers as possible

• Performance measured on financial target and activity

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Attributes required

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Transferable skills

The transition from the lab to sales

• Project management • People management• Sales• Meetings• Presentation skills• Computer skills• Networking / contacts• Customers

• New things I had to learn / still have to learn

• Marketing• Prioritising• Different ways of managing my time

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Summary

• It is your career and the rewards will depend on the effort you put in• Believe that opportunities are waiting round the corner• Do not feel pressured into climbing the ladder if it is not right for you• Think outside the box• Consider a laboratory based job first• Speak to as many people as possible if unsure (especially your boss)• Be prepared for change

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Acknowledgements

• Katy Mckenzie, Department of Chemistry University of Leicester

• Martin Coffey, Career Management Skills Developer University of Leicester

• Scale-up team at OSI Pharmaceuticals 2002-2003

• Dan Cowell, Alan Chorlton, Craig Grant (Founders of Pharmorphix)

• Mike Harris, Amanda Jones and Alan Farnaby Sigma Aldrich

ANY QUESTIONS ?