You had no prior work experience before joining IIM Shillong. Was it difficult to cope with the management world, coming straight away from an engineering background?
I would say no. Initially, there were certain hiccups where understanding the structure of the corporate world was difficult. But, you get to meet a lot of students who have prior work experience and in a b-school, there are a lot of team activities that give you an opportunity for peer learning.
You got through to Tata Steel in your campus placement round. Was Tata Steel a company you were looking forward to working with during your placement? What were the few factors that motivated you for this decision?
Tata Steel is a great company to work with. Students from IIMs look forward to getting an opportunity to get placed in Tata Steel. Coming from a Mining background, I knew how Tata Steel works and this was one of the major reasons I wanted to be part of this manufacturing giant. Also, the brand value, career growth, diversity, and the overall culture of Tata Steel were some of the major factors to cement my decision to work with the company.
At Tata Steel, you undergo a 3 months Management Trainee program. You don’t have any prior work experience and this was your first on-ground experience. Were you intimidated at the start and how did you cope with it?
The MT program that I was part of was handled by SNTI (Shavak Nanavati Technical Institute) at Tata Steel. They have designed the course very thoroughly for the new joinees. During the training period, quite a few sessions get scheduled. The candidates are made accustomed to the processes, policies, plant visits, etc., to understand the company better.
In the third month, candidates are supposed to take up a one month project in their respective verticals, which gives them actual hands-on experience about the role. Once we were placed in our roles, one mentor was assigned by our superior to everyone in order to understand all the processes and activities that needed to be carried out. So, it is a lot to grasp in the beginning, but then you get accustomed to it and with the help of others you start delivering.
You joined as a procurement manager at Tata Steel and work from the Jamshedpur office. What are some of the initial challenges that you faced in coming in terms with the role that you were provided and how did the organization support you in dealing with the same?
I was placed in IT Procurement as a Category Manager. Initially, I did not know much about IT and the negotiation processes and order placements. However, the team here is very helpful and they guided me to understand the processes with a lot of ease. Their responsiveness and support make you comfortable. I am constantly on a learning curve while I am learning on the job.
What aspect of Tata Steel do you like the most? How is a peer to peer learning and what excites you the most to come to work every day?
My team consists of 12 members. I feel like I am part of a small family. We don't just treat ourselves as colleagues. The co-ordination and the bonding between us are unparalleled. Even the workplace is super cool as employees take pride in working at TSL. For generations, the legacy of Tata Steel and its work culture has continued and it is pretty evident in the way people work here with a lot of commitment and heart. I get to attend regular meetings with vendors and business users. Ensuring customer (business user) satisfaction falls under my purview. Making sure the nuts and bolts are at the proper place and if anything is amiss, I ring the alarm for fixing it. Overall, it's a fun ride.
Now that you are in a managerial position and take care of IT procurement for Tata Steel’s TSG (IT) central buying section, what are the things that you started doing differently than what you have done when you joined? Give us anecdotes.
I was the youngest in my team in terms of age and experience when I joined. My reporting manager encouraged me to do new and innovative things every day that could help me grow in my role and help our team. I made a dashboard and worked with trackers under my team’s guidance, which is currently being used by the entire team. My spirit to do my job with the utmost passion still remains the same, as it was on day one.
How does Chandra Sekhar see himself grow from here? What are the avenues that you want to explore and where do you see yourself next within Tata Steel?
Tata Steel encourages a regular change of roles so that there are maximum learning and outcomes from its Human Resource. There are a lot of opportunities to explore within Tata Steel. You get an opportunity to shift between cross-functional roles in Sales, Marketing, HR, etc. I honestly don’t want to miss out on any.
How is the lockdown period going for you? What are some of the measures that Tata Steel has taken so that you and other employees can continue work from home and stay safe during the global pandemic?
Lockdown period is going well for me in terms of exploring myself as an individual. I am upgrading my skills and indulging myself in activities like cooking, sketching, etc. This is a good time to observe one’s patience level and managing skills. Tata Steel ensures that all its employees are safe and happy at any point in time. They are currently organizing many events online to engage the employees and help them in case of any need. Helpline numbers, emergency contact person details, hospitals, etc. have been shared with everyone. I think I am in a good mental state.
What would be your message for those who don’t have work experience like you and want to join an MNC like Tata Steel? How is Tata Steel an ideal place for learning and growing as a manager?
I would say it is a great start for anyone looking for an opportunity to work in an MNC. The Management Trainee program is well scheduled in such a way that the new joinees will get better orientation. Once placed in the role, the top management ensures that the newly joined get sufficient training and guidance towards understanding the role and responsibilities.
Those who do not have prior experience will have an open mind and this helps an individual to learn and analyze the ongoing processes. The management encourages new and innovative ideas that can be implemented. There is equal opportunity for everyone in terms of growth in the organization.
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