If you are proactive and keen to evolve, change profession or workplace, it is possible within Groupe SEB. After finishing my studies at Grenoble Management School, I joined the Group in 1998 as a SAP consultant in the skills center in Ecully in charge of deploying the information system worldwide.  After three years, I asked to change to an operational position and I was posted to the Logistics Department of the Linen, Home and Personal Care business unit in Lyon. I discovered a new profession, at the heart of the company’s business. It was also a chance to try my hand at managing a team. In 2004, I fancied a change again and the Group made me an interesting offer: I became International Market Manager in the same business unit in charge of developing sales in the Middle East, Near East and Africa.  I was then offered the post of Manager for the zone covering Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, UAE and Yemen for Group products commercialized by local distributors. I moved to Dubai in 2005 which was a very edifying experience. What will be the next step after 5 years in Dubai? From July 2010, I will travel back to France within Groupe SEB France as the Director of the Premium Network where I will be in charge of a Marketing and Sales team responsible for the Group’s top-of-the-range products sold by selective selling.

A new challenge!

If you are keen to evolve professionally and you make every effort to do this, it’s possible in Groupe SEB! I began as a Personal Assistant in Brazil in 2003 and at the same time, I took a specialization in marketing, a field I am particularly interested in. After 2 years, I was appointed Marketing Assistant for Brazil, before becoming the Marketing Coordinator for South America. During this time, I supervised communication for all Group products: brand websites, local customization of advertising designed in the head office, the buying of media space, etc. This position taught me a lot about the diversity of countries on the subcontinent and relations between subsidiaries and HQ. In 2008, I was offered the post of Intranet Communication Manager at the Group headquarters. Going to France was a dream and I accepted immediately! It also provided the opportunity to progress in my career and discover the internal communication business. Today, I manage the Group’s Intranet portal with a view to boosting its global outreach, while bringing it closer to local entities units and their specific requirements. I also coordinate the development of Intranet platforms to help the Group’s teams work together more effectively.

I am in touch with colleagues from all over the world and it’s inspiring!

I was only 29 when Groupe SEB put me in charge of its new Czech subsidiary, even though I had no General Manager experience. One has to admit the Company gives young employees their chance. Two years later, I took over the Slovakian subsidiary then went on to head the Central Europe cluster - Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary -. It was one of the very first organizations of this type in the Group supported by a common back office for ten countries. During nine years of constant growth, the Group gave me plenty of opportunity to take personal initiatives while providing strong backup. If you have a great idea, no-one will put obstacles in your way. It is also important for me to work in a group with strong human values. I have just become Managing Director of the UK subsidiary which just goes to prove that the French managers are not the only ones who are posted abroad.

It’s a new adventure for me and my family.

What really struck me when I joined the Dubai team in 2005 was the fact that diversity is really seen as a veritable asset. It’s not just a question of equal opportunities. You meet people from different countries, men and women from different horizons with different backgrounds plus there is a very open-minded attitude to the various possible approaches to the job.  I had my own working methods, my own way of creating a business plan and I don’t speak French.

Nobody forced me to conform; in fact it was an opportunity for the team to weigh up the pros and cons of the various approaches to find the best way to develop the business. This diversity is framed by the rules and procedures of the Group but it is a source of dynamism. Irrespective of your profile, if you are competent and want to get on, the Group encourages you. In my case, after having been Product Manager for 4 years, I was appointed Marketing Director of this entity which is responsible for marketing Group products in the Near and Middle East.

How would I briefly sum up Groupe SEB? Well, it’s a group with a human dimension, with excellent brands and a lively business spirit. I have been part of the Group on two occasions. First of all, I carried out a corporate volunteer mission when I graduated from Lyon Business School in 1996: I spent a year as assistant product manager in Canada. I then decided to branch out into other consumer sectors. After 7 years working in cosmetics and agro-food industries, I was nostalgic for Groupe SEB’s human values, strong brands and dynamism so I joined the Group again in 2004. Since then, I have occupied several positions: International Market Manager for Electrical Cooking in North America, UK and Australia, International Product Manager for deep fat fryers – with a fantastic product, the Actifry virtually oil-free fryer, Marketing Director for high-end electrical products in the US and now Vice President Business Development for the Kitchen Electrics business unit. At the moment, I am seeking out new territories for the Group and boosting development on emerging markets.

Exciting projects on the horizon!

I think the expression “glocal” epitomizes Groupe SEB which is a global company in terms of its network, its brands and its strategy but a local one in the way its decisions are implemented.  As a Marketing Manager of the new South-West America cluster, I am particularly aware of this. My role is to tailor the global marketing strategy to the local characteristics of three different countries: Argentina, Chile and Peru. It’s an exciting job with a lot at stake as our growth targets are pretty ambitious. But that’s fine by me, I like taking up challenges and being dynamic. One of the advantages of working for Groupe SEB is that it offers plenty of career opportunities.

I started out as Product Manager in Colombia in 2004 then became Marketing Manager for Chile in 2007, before moving to my current position in Buenos Aires at the start of 2010.