Tell us how you became part of the Lactalis Group.

I joined Lactalis 7 years ago, when the Group was still called Besnier !

What are your daily tasks ?

I am the link between the Dairy and our Milk Suppliers. My task is mainly to ensure that the milk we collect arrives regularly and is of a high quality, mainly through advising and supporting the farmers. I have to find the best technical and economic solutions to keep both sides happy.
The needs of milk companies have changed and we have precise objectives. In particular, quality control policies are more and more stringent and the changes are not always easy to implement.
Another part of my job is to transmit and explain the Group's policy as regards the price we pay our suppliers for milk, for which I need to know the markets in the milk sector inside out.

Which skills do you use in your job ?

I have to inform and guide, but being a good technician is not enough. I also have to be able to give advice diplomatically and know how to deal with people as individuals. I have to be convincing ! And, of course, I have to foster the loyalty of our suppliers, because they are the ones who provide our raw material.For that I've developed my technical knowledge and improved my listening skills, in order to give good advice. But much more importantly, in my job you need human qualities : a good Dairy liaison agent needs to enjoy both being in contact with people and a bit of psychology. At the same time, this job has also enabled me to develop sales skills.

What has been your career path so far and what are your plans for the future ?

I took a BTS (Advanced vocational training certificate) in Agriculture during which I specialised in Animal Products. Then I worked in a dairy as the technician in charge of receiving and preparing the milk, to ensure that it was of a homogenous quality. That job taught me the importance of that stage in the process, because it determines the quality of the final product. I am currently a Dairy Liaison Agent and Quality Auditor and possibilities for the future are Supply Logistics Manager or Head of the Dairy Transportation Team.