When, how and why did you join the Lactalis Group ?

I joined the Lactalis Group as a Trainee Head of Catering Sector one and a half years ago in the Tours region. I very much appreciated the warm welcome I received from my team and particularly from my Regional Head of Sales, who provided me with a specific induction programme before I arrived.
I benefited from a training period that began in Laval, at the Group's headquarters, with a theoretical section on tools, sales techniques and products. Then I accompanied more experienced Heads of Sector before finally being progressively integrated into my own sector and meeting my clients. I was appointed to a permanent post six months later when a job came up... in Toulouse !

What are the Head of the Catering Sector's main responsibilities at the moment ? And what are the specific features of the job ?

A Head of Sector is responsible for listing his products with his clients (groups, commercial catering, Cash & Carry). His products can differ from those distributed to superstores. That is why technical knowledge of catering or the hotel trade, for example, can be a real advantage. There is more importance attached to what goes into products, because of culinary displays or constraints placed on the composition of products, particularly by Head Chefs, hospitals or school canteen dieticians. The Head of Sector negotiates, builds trust and looks after his sector (between one and five departments)'s client portfolio, thanks to products with which he feels genuinely comfortable.

What are the ingredients that make up a competent Head of Sector ?

A pinch of audacity, a good helping of independence, a large spoonful of energy, a ladle of listening skills, a few large drops of diligence, a bowl of perseverance, a plateful of initiative and a blend of pleasantness, motivation, dependability and professionalism !

What are the future possibilities for a Head of Catering Sector within the Lactalis Group ?

I have gone from being a trainee as part of a BTS (vocational training course) in Hotel Management to Head of the Catering Sector. There's no reason why I shouldn't go on to become Regional Catering or Superstore Sales Manager. There are numerous possibilities : why not do some Trade Marketing or Brand Negotiation ? But I think I still have a lot to learn in my current job, so I'll leave all that until later !