To support the professional journeys of its people, De Nora offers various development opportunities, including Job Rotation and international mobility. These initiatives enable everyone to pursue their ambitions, explore new areas of the business, and gain exposure to different cultural contexts.
In this article, we explore how professional development is shaped at De Nora, through the voices of our colleagues and the opportunities offered by Job Rotation and International Mobility.
1. Job rotation and development plan
At De Nora, everyone has the opportunity to define an individual development plan each year together with their manager.
This plan is tailored to personal aspirations and provides access to a wide range of professional development opportunities, from traditional classroom training to Job Rotation and International Mobility.
Job Rotation was designed to give people the opportunity to change roles and responsibilities, experience different work environments, and gain insights into areas of the company aligned with their professional background—opportunities that might otherwise be difficult to explore while remaining in the same role for an extended period.
International mobility has the same purpose: De Nora, as a multinational company with offices around the world, offers multiple opportunities to work in culturally diverse and geographically distant environments.
Thanks to these opportunities, work experience at De Nora becomes a journey that makes everyone the protagonist of their own development through contact with different sectors and cultures.
Thanks to these opportunities, the experience of working at De Nora becomes a journey in which everyone takes an active role in their own development, through exposure to different sectors and cultures.
Let’s take a closer look at them.
2. Job rotation: from practice to program
Currently at De Nora, Job Rotation offers the opportunity to voluntarily apply for open positions in different areas, in line with one’s professional background.
Job Rotation is driven by strong individual initiative and a desire for self-realization, but it is also supported by managers’ ability to listen to employees’ needs and their shared commitment to support their team’s growth.
Although this initiative already provides benefits, De Nora is committed to developing it into a more structured program.
To this end, an internal job posting process has been introduced, allowing employees to formally apply for open positions before they are advertised externally and before external candidates are considered.
The initiative has two main objectives: on the one hand, to provide employees with practical and intuitive tools to support their professional growth; on the other, to encourage the internal filling of open positions, fostering a culture of continuous development and flexibility.
Let’s discover the stories of Pietro and Sara who, thanks to Job Rotation, had the opportunity to broaden their professional horizons.
Pietro’s story
“I started at Denora as an Organizational Development Generalist and, after two years in this role, I began reflecting on my professional aspirations and desire for growth, which I shared with my line manager. She showed genuine interest in recognizing my potential and she proposed the possibility of a Job Rotation, even knowing that my move would temporarily increase the team’s workload.
When I heard about the vacancy for the HR Business Partner EMEA position at De Nora Water, I saw an opportunity to fulfil my aspirations and grow professionally.
I was provided with all the necessary tools to ensure a smooth transition between roles and, thanks to this Job Rotation experience, I had the opportunity to develop new skills, grow personally, and broaden my knowledge of the HR field.”
Pietro Andrigo, HR Business Partner EMEA at De Nora Water Technologies
Sara Franco’s story
Sara Franco, Junior Process Engineer
3. International mobility opportunities at De Nora
Thanks to its global presence, De Nora offers its people the opportunity to gain work experience abroad. These experiences generally fall into three categories:
- Short-term international mobility:
In this case, moving abroad is necessary to meet a temporary business need (such as a plant installation) and typically lasts no longer than six months. - Temporary assignment
A medium-to long-term relocation during which the employee takes on a specific role. The duration of the assignment ranges from a minimum of six months to a maximum of four years, depending on business needs. - Permanent relocation
Since De Nora’s sites constantly cooperate and communicate despite geographical distance, people can apply for a permanent relocation abroad, giving them the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a culture different from their own.
To ensure the relocation process is managed as smoothly as possible, De Nora provides a support plan that includes an initial networking and cultural training program, as well as several dedicated benefits such as accommodation, schooling for children, and tax and language support. These measures are designed to ease international mobility and turn it into a concrete opportunity for growth and wellbeing, not only for those undertaking the relocation but also for their families.
Chinpao Shung: from US to Dubai as Inside Sales Manager
“The opportunity to pursue international relocation represented a crucial step for me, and I’m deeply grateful for the support I received from the management and HR team throughout the journey. They took the time to understand my aspirations, guiding me towards a role that aligned with both my long-term goals and the company’s needs.
From the initial planning phase to the approvals and logistics, the entire transition was smooth and collaborative. Clear communication from management and the dedicated support of the HR team ensured that every step of the process was coordinated seamlessly. One of the aspects that I appreciated the most was the attention shown not only to me but also to my family. This made the relocation experience feel structured, supportive, and reassuring.
From a professional point of view, the international assignment was extremely rewarding. Working in a different region and exploring a new area of the business broadened my understanding of our global operations, giving me the opportunity to collaborate with new teams and gain new perspectives. At the same time, I was able to share my expertise to support and train colleagues at my new location, which I found very fulfilling.
From a personal point of view, adapting to a new environment broadened my horizons and strengthened my ability to manage change. This journey helped me to grow, build meaningful relationships across different regions, and appreciate even more the value of being part of a truly global organization.
I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the support I received along the way. My experience reflects De Nora’s strong commitment to employee development and to creating international mobility opportunities that benefit both employees and the company”.
Chinpao Shung, Inside Sales Manager, from US to Dubai
Andrea Motta’s story: EMEA After Market Manager from Italy to Dubai
Another example of the effectiveness of Job Rotation as a talent catalyst for De Nora’s people is Andrea’s experience:
“My international mobility experience was one of the most significant and rewarding challenges of my career. Moving from Milan to Dubai was not only a geographical change, but also a true journey of personal and professional growth. From day one, the local team welcomed me warmly, helping me integrate quickly and understand the dynamics of a different and highly stimulating market.
This opportunity taught me the value of engaging with different cultures and approaches: it pushed me to develop new skills, become more flexible, and strengthen my leadership abilities.
Today I lead a team of 7 people in different regions and together we have achieved important results. Looking back, I can say that this experience gave me not only a global perspective on the business, but also personal growth that would have been hard to achieve if I had stayed in my comfort zone. I highly recommend this journey to everyone who wants to take on a challenge and discover how internationality can enrich people’s way of working.
Looking ahead, I believe that experiences like this are essential for facing the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world. I hope to continue growing in international environments, contributing to building bridges between cultures and developing innovative solutions driven by diversity”.
Andrea Motta, EMEA After Market Manager, from Milan to Dubai
Offering unique growth journeys, where listening to people’s needs and professional aspirations is key, lies at the core of the Employer Value Proposition at De Nora.
Thanks to Job Rotation and International Mobility initiatives, everyone can design their own development plan, with exposure to different sectors, organizations, and cultures.
