A battery may be small, but it can bring about innovative change in our lives. Batteries require the perfect manufacturing infrastructure and efficient management to be produced. The Construction Department of LG Energy Solution is building customized facilities for its global production in not only South Korea but also North America, Europe, and other Asian countries. Here is what the current Construction Planning Team members of LG Energy Solution have to say about their work.
Q. Please introduce your job.
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
The Construction Department of LG Energy Solution consists of construction teams in North America, Europe, Asia, and South Korea as well as the Construction Planning Team. Among them, the last one has 3 parts: Planning and Management, Construction Investment, and Standard Construction. My job is planning and management at the Construction Planning Team.
(Yeom Ayeong, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
My job is personnel management and planning which include assigning employees to the right positions, which is considered especially important in construction, at the Planning & Management. My duties include job appointment of expatriates to overseas subsidies, corporate restructuring, rewards, evaluation, and planning.
(Park Junha, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
I review new investment plans at the Construction Investment. I cover all steps necessary for projects, such as calculation of investment costs, setting plans, and reviewing layouts.
Q. Please describe your workplace.
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
The Construction Planning Team is at Parc One, where the Yeouido headquarters are located. The building features “Entral Park” on the 63rd floor. Employees enjoy a quick break with tea or have meetings there. Above all, it has an amazing view of sunset!
(Park Junha, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
Other teams, which are the Europe Construction Team, North America JV Construction Team, and Asia Construction Team, work in local places. They can experience the local culture.
Q. How is the atmosphere in the team?
(Yeom Ayeong, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
The Construction Department practices equality in the organization. We respect each other, calling each other by their names, instead of their titles.
(Park Junha, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
That does not mean the department has an informal atmosphere. It is more like we just freely make suggestions when we discuss our business. Accordingly, we achieved a remarkable result, scoring 90 in “horizontal organizational culture” and “positive organizational culture” in the survey on the organizational culture this year.
Q. What is especially appealing about working for the Construction Department?
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
The first thing to do in manufacturing batteries is to build infrastructure for production. Therefore, the first that goes to LG Energy Solution’s overseas business site is the construction field. So, we can be proud to take an important role as a pioneer in cooperation with other departments.
Also, LG Energy Solution may be the world’s top battery plant builder in terms of size. You can see that by the scale of the more than 10 plants we are building now. To be part of the project lets us have a new experience.
(Park Junha, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
Personally, I feel like the members of the Construction Department are the “Avengers.” More than 90% of them are relatively new to this field. The different experiences and expertise they have created a significant synergy when they work together. Doesn’t that sound like the Avengers fulfilling their duties?
Q. Do you go on domestic or overseas business trips often?
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
For the North America project, employees are sent as expatriates. They can go alone or with their families depending on their situation. For Europe and Asia projects, they are sent on a long business trip.
(Yeom Ayeong, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
Business trips of the Construction Department are for various purposes, not only construction. I have been to Germany to visit an exhibition related to my job. Such overseas trips can be another advantage, as they give employees the opportunity for more experience.
Q. Please walk us through the scale of overseas construction projects and the differences of each site.
(Yeom Ayeong, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
The North American project is ongoing in Arizona, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Georgia in the U.S. as well as Ontario in Canada.
The Ohio plant is as large as about 230,000㎡, equivalent to about 30 football fields. The combined size of all the LG Energy Solution’s sites amounts to about 300 football fields.
(Park Junha, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
In South Korea, China, and Poland, we design multi-floored plants because of a shortage of sites and high land costs. In the U.S. and Canada, our plants are single-floored. Although their structures may be different, the same battery manufacturing process is applied.
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
The Ochang Energy Plant in South Korea is one of the most important plants. LG Energy Solution is turning it into “Mother Factory,” the hub of our global energy production. Also, we are building a second battery production complex on the site.
Q. How good do you have to be in foreign languages to work in a construction team?
(Yeom Ayeong, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
Since employees are assigned to global sites, language skills are an important part. English is essential for conversation, and Polish and Chinese abilities will also help.
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
Indeed, language is one of the essential requirements for the construction department, and there will be English job interviews going forward.
Q. Can non-construction majors or people with no experience in the field apply for the job?
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
You may not be qualified for application if you are a non-construction major or do not have relevant experience. However, you can apply if you have a career experience. There is a recent example where an applicant with work experience at a construction company passed the document screening.
Q. Would you give us advice for writing a personal statement?
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
Those emphasized with keywords tend to draw more attention. If you can make your strengths shine, you are more likely to pass the document screening.
(Yeom Ayeong, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
When I was writing one, I thought a lot about how I could appeal, since I had no noteworthy achievement. So, I put the stress on “What I could do for the organization.”
(Park Junha, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
If you are experienced, it would be better to summarize it with a focus on your overseas experience and expertise in construction than to try to make it look better with long explanations.
Q. Please say what you have to say for job seekers.
(Oh Sehyeok, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
The Construction Department of LG Energy Solution is committed to creating a fun work culture so that employees can work in a joyful atmosphere. We hope many of them will apply for the job.
(Park Junha, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
Many applicants are so qualified that I am incomparable to them. Do not hesitate and make a challenge with confidence.
(Yeom Ayeong, Construction Planning Team of the Construction Department)
If you want to be a pioneer at LG Energy Solution, please make sure to apply for the Construction Department.