The PVF Industry : A Dynamic Career Path
An Interview with Courtney Rau – Global Project Materials Manager , Chevron Corporation
Between engaging Chevron Business Units and Major
Projects on valve and pipe procurement and contracting strategies , Global Project Materials Manager Courtney Rau took the time to speak to Valve World about her work in the PVF industry . She discusses the ways that she brings subject matter experts SME ’ s , suppliers and business units ( BU ) together to strategically plan objectives for execution , and her thoughts on the future of the PVF industry .
By Sarah Bradley
Chevron Corporation is active in over 180 countries and engaged in every aspect of the oil and natural gas industries , including : hydrocarbon exploration and production ; refining and transport ; chemicals manufacturing ; and power generation . The company ’ s earliest predecessor was founded in 1876 and is considered highly influential in establishing the oil industry in California . Branded as Chevron in 1911 , the company has grown to become one of the largest companies in the world and the second largest oil company in the United States . Courtney graduated from the University of Texas with a double major in French and Finance , while working with Chevron ’ s account as a recruiter for a staffing agency for light industrial businesses . Upon completion of her degree in 2006 , she was
Courtney Rau . offered a position and began her career with Chevron in Supply Chain Management . “ I was nervous because I was used to being in steel-toes — not high heels ! I was approached by one of my customers that was looking for a document controller – he wanted me for the role , and not someone that I would have placed through the staffing agency . With permission from agency leadership , I got started ,” said Courtney . “ I knew nothing about document control , but learned quickly as a contractor , before Chevron hired me on full time , doing Accounts Receivable . I have been happy ever since !” In her 18 years with the company , Courtney has held multiple positions from Project Document Control , Accounts Receivable , Procurement Management Category Management , Business Management , and now a dual role as Global Project Materials Manager and IRIS ( Investment Recovery & Inventory Solution ) Discipline Lead . “ I provide support for the projects on material selection , location and storage of warehouse spaces , and project turnover of materials to base business . On the base business side as the IRIS lead , I work with all the business units to essentially help offload their surplus assets in a way that will give them the best return for the asset . When projects turn over surplus to the base business units , it creates excess inventory that may sometimes end up used , but most likely not . It is my job to support the decisions being made around intercompany transfer , sale ,
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Our business units do keep a lot of stock – mostly based on project surplus being pushed down to the business unit , and then standard spare parts that we need .”
20 Valve World September 2022 www . valve-world . net