I did a training placement in Production after finishing my studies and was recruited as a Process Engineer.
What do you do on a daily basis and which particular features does the job have ?
I work in a team of 20 people, under the Equipment Department Manager, to ensure the monitoring of new work to be carried out in all the Group's sites. I am involved in all the project's stages:study, design, drawing up specifications, negotiations with suppliers, monitoring and implementation.One of the features of the job is the large variety of people we work with.It requires a great deal of communication and coordination, coupled with a constant desire to find common ground,for our investment projects to succeed.
Does the position require any particular skills ?
Project management requires two main kinds of skills.The first kind is Technical, to give you credibility in the eyes of internal clients, such as Industrial Managers, Site Managers and Heads of Central Departments, and external suppliers.The second kind has to do with Management, and that is an area in which I have made a great deal of progress in recent years.This dimension has become the most important in ensuring that a project goes well.I would also add diligence and pragmatism,which are qualities that come to the fore during the establishment of project teams, when it is essential to choose colleagues who will bring added value to the project.
What has been your career path so far ?
I graduated from ENSAIA (National College for Agronomy and the Food Industries) as an Engineer with a specialisation in the Dairy Industry.After my final training placement and two years as a Process Engineer, I joined the Equipment Department as a Project Leader.After four years, I am now Assistant Manager of the Group's Equipment Department.
What are your plans for the future ?
I would like to continue to develop my technical (across all trades) and managerial skills within the framework of the Project Leaders team, with the objective of exporting our expertise to the sites abroad and thus participating in the Group's international development.
