Markus Hadley, PhD – Engineering & Investment Manager, Hangzhou, China

Choice of studies
Technology and even more so the things made possible by it have fascinated me since I was a child. I wanted to achieve a deeper understanding of technical relationships and therefore decided to study mechanical engineering at the University of Paderborn, specializing in process technology. I wrote my doctoral thesis on “Condensation of binary vapors” and made the jump to Bayer with this subject. In 1996 I started out as a section manager in what was then Technical Development and is now known as Bayer Technology Services-Process Technology.

My career path to and at Bayer
As an integrated company with the CropScience, HealthCare and MaterialScience subgroups, Bayer has always been one of the most attractive international destinations for young process engineers. The opportunities existing within the company, the working environment and the friendly colleagues won me over at an early stage.
My entry into what was then a more broadly diversified company was challenging, as new tasks from very different parts of the company presented themselves each day. This period laid the foundation for my further development, and I have fond memories of it.
I worked for two years as a section manager before assuming responsibility for the specialist section Heat Transfer and Concentration. Two years later, I transferred to the crop protection business group of Bayer CropScience. My work there as a project engineer for process optimization in existing plants was the ideal way to familiarize myself with the tasks and focal points of production.
After a year and a half in this position, I became Technical Plant Manager – a so-called “ section engineer” – in one of the six production facilities for chemical crop protection products. In addition to technology, I now had to deal with laws and ordinances, as well as with the operation of a chemical production plant in a way that is safe for both people and the environment.
Four years later, I transferred to a position outside Germany for the first time. I spent half a year as a project manager implementing a process for remediating a mother liquor in Widnes near Liverpool, England. My work together with my English colleagues had a impact on my further career path. Once I had returned to Dormagen, I was entrusted with production portfolio streamlining tasks and studies on the efficient deployment of personnel.
As I was keen to work in an international environment, I transferred to the Global Engineering Department at BCS headquarters in Monheim after nearly 11 years at Bayer in positions with six different focus areas. Now my main task was the engineering support for our site in Hangzhou, China.

ni hao – we manufacture crop protection products in China too
It already became clear to me during my first trip to Hangzhou that it would not be possible to oversee the plant there from Monheim with the required intensity. My next foreign assignment lay ahead, and after some convincing my family agreed to face the “adventure” of China. Since the middle of last year, I have been responsible for the Hangzhou site as Engineering & Investment Manager.

New projects must be constantly initiated in order to achieve growth rates of between 20 and 30 percent annually. In this context, I of course work together with my Chinese colleagues, but also with my co-workers at headquarters in Monheim. The integrated position between the two cultural circles is very exciting and challenging. We learn something new each day – and each day new possibilities and opportunities open up for improving production and mastering difficult situations together.

The bottom line: fascination through continually new challenges
Bayer AG offers both young and experienced engineers outstanding perspectives, as multifaceted tasks throughout the field of engineering need to be solved. The company’s international alignment provides numerous opportunities to work together with highly qualified colleagues from different backgrounds and walks of life in mastering both individual projects and day-to-day business activities.

I am fascinated by these multi-faceted opportunities. And what’s more, I am excited to find out what my next challenge will be at Bayer!