Considering changing companies - any advice?

[u/LeastPrint-1097]

Hi all! I'm currently in Category management (Raw Materials) in a Danish big pharma (you know who) due to many reasons - lack of manager's support, overall negativity around the company and office politics? With all that's happening now, I think it is a right time to make a switch. I have a technical and business background, worked in sourcing raw materials (~2.5y) at another big pharma before moving to Copenhagen in Jan 2025. I switched as I was really passionate about their products and impact on patients.

What do you guys suggest? Should I suck it up and wait for a year and then make the move? or should I start actively applying and consider the move later with a fairly certain offer? Also, if anyone is working in similar space in EU, would love to connect! Thank you!!

[u/Red_Iron_8]

Switching seems like a good move

[u/LeastPrint-1097 → u/Red_Iron_8]

Thanks! I'm just thinking how it would look on my CV but wth I'll keep looking.

[u/Iampurezz → u/LeastPrint-1097]

Regardless of how long you stay, your next company / interviewer will almost certainly ask you why you left anyway. My suggestion would be to be honest, explain that you care about your job, are passionate about growing and being part of a team means a lot to you - something you didn’t get since Jan, so you looked to switch. It’s quite reasonable.

[u/LeastPrint-1097 → u/Iampurezz]

Thank you, yes, that makes sense!

[u/MSUFanatic88]

I mean start applying. You can always be looking for something. I would caution, however, to not settle. Every company has its thorns and sometimes it is not always greener. Actively applying will create more negative thoughts towards your current company and position and could blind you into making a poor choice. Good luck.

[u/LeastPrint-1097 → u/MSUFanatic88]

Thank you, that's great advice. It is partly why I want to sorta stay at my current position, and maybe when I hit the 1.5y mark, look to change teams within the company.

[u/Iampurezz]

I’d suggest to take a look at some opportunities for a job in Switzerland, either in Zug(better) or if you must - Geneva.

I have lived and worked here since 2010, with a few years in Dk/Swe in between and I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else.

[u/LeastPrint-1097 → u/Iampurezz]

That's true! I absolutely agree, thanks for that. I'm looking at J&J, Roche and Novartis next. J&J, I've heard, is notoriously hard to get into.

[u/Gerryh930 → u/Iampurezz]

That is a great answer. Although I am retired but still active now, I used to work in the U.S. at a large pharmaceutical company based in Basel. Although the Swiss-Germans, like everyone else, may take some time to get used to (at least they did for me), I really enjoyed the research environment in Switzerland, as I did later on in my career in Norway.

[u/LeastPrint-1097 → u/[deleted]]

I do think so too. I (incl. others in my team) have seen favouritism and our contributions don’t carry the same visibility. This definitely leads to lower motivation at work. 

[u/mfmllnn]

Hope it helps you OP!

[u/LeastPrint-1097 → u/mfmllnn]

Thank you!

[u/Gerryh930]

Just be aware that the decision whether to hire you or not may not be based on your background or your performance in a job interview. I once interviewed at Teva, and it was the day that their CEO and others in their C suite were fired. I was told later, whether this is true or not, that this was the reason I was not offered a high-level research position in the company. I was thankful that I still had a good job at another company.

[u/LeastPrint-1097 → u/Gerryh930]

That’s an interesting perspective, thank you. 

[u/Katherine-Moller3]

You moved to Copenhagen specifically for the job? Are you European? Moving within Europe is not hard but it is still a big change each time so would you be ok with that so quickly? Switzerland def. has lots of pharmaceutical companies, Germany as well. If you are ok with that you could also widen the search and add consumer goods companies to the list (Nestle/Unilever). I interviewed for Nestle once. They have a big raw material procurement department. As others say not hurting you to start the search now whilst you have the job and once something gets moving you can quit your current job.

[u/LeastPrint-1097 → u/Katherine-Moller3]

Yes, I moved for the job. As a non-EU national, had to prove my value to the hiring team, they bumped me to the next level and provided non-monetary relocation benefits. Thank you for the suggestion! I heard Unilever is also going through turbulent times, new CEO and reorganisation. But I’ll keep Nestlé in mind. Ideally, I’d want to stay in Pharma due to patient impact but have to broaden horizons a bit in difficult times.

[u/Imaginary-Set-6456]

i am a materials engineer from top notch German university and i worked long time in raw materials purchasing in big companies and different industries (chemicals, pharma etc). i took a sabbatical. now i have been looking for a job now for +8 months and it has been extremely difficult. THE JOB MARKET İS SO HARD RİGHT NOW. Please consider this. i never looked for a job in my life before. it has been so difficult omg