1 Coworker, 1 Job: Solène

My name is Solène, I am 29 years old, soon to be 30. My academic journey has been somewhat unconventional. I began my studies with a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and Marketing, which I had the opportunity to complete in the United Kingdom. I then continued with a Master's in Project Management, followed by a second specialized Master's in Financial Management. It was only later that I discovered management control; in business school, the emphasis is often on accounting.

I developed a passion for Excel, the essential tool for a management controller, and that's when I regretted not exploring this field earlier.

I started my career in a large corporation, where the challenges focused on inventory management, lean management, and productivity optimization. Later, I joined a retailer where I worked for nearly two years. My responsibilities primarily involved commercial management control with a strong focus on pricing. Although it is a crucial aspect of the profession, it wasn't necessarily the one that sparked my greatest interest.

When I received the offer from éolane, I immediately saw it as an opportunity to develop my skills in industrial management control. Despite some apprehensions, given the complexity of the field, the desire to work in the industry strengthened my keen interest in the position. In a way, I realized that this transition would have been inevitable for me, and I decided to enhance my skills directly in the field.

I joined in June 2023, and the process unfolded swiftly, marked by a series of job interviews. The fact that the CENTRE Region hosts two production sites (Angers and Combrée) played a significant role in my decision to join the group, as it promised a rewarding variety of tasks.

Overall, my integration went well. I was warmly welcomed, and the relaxed atmosphere helped alleviate the work pressure.

My weeks are divided between Angers on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the rest of the time in Combrée.

In Angers, I share an office with my supervisor, and we work together as a team. The working atmosphere is very pleasant, and we provide mutual support. What's great in Combrée is that our office is located between Customer Service, Logistics, and Purchasing. There is always activity and traffic, which facilitates collaboration with all these departments. In management control, it is crucial to step out of the office, stay informed about ongoing matters, and be a support for all colleagues.

My role is to support employees in achieving their goals and facilitate the company's actions. We are somewhat like translators, converting numbers into actions and vice versa, in a language accessible to everyone.

A significant part of our work involves maintaining the satisfaction of the auditor. We are constantly seeking revenue opportunities while adhering to guidelines; it's a balance to be struck.

We primarily use Excel and the SAP ERP, especially for reading. For example, the MB51, which provides the history of all movements on SAP, allows us to trace back and understand the source of a problem. Whether it's the inability to edit an invoice for an item or a sudden price increase, I rely mainly on the data from the MB51. Numbers don't lie, but you need to know how to interpret them, make them speak.

Our role is not limited to detecting errors; we are also there to prevent them. We analyze various KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to try to anticipate the unpredictable. In this exercise, accountants are our best allies. One positive aspect I find at éolane is that KPIs are driven by department managers. It's not centralized in management control; we control the data, but each department manages and shapes the KPIs they need to move forward.

I find this profession fascinating. Every day, we solve problems and provide assistance to others. In essence, we feel useful, and that's rewarding. Although we are not directly included in the value chain, we actively participate in it. I had, in fact, devoted my thesis to the added value of management control. It is essential to understand that this profession is not just about delivering bad news but always offering solutions and seeking to understand. The variances we identify often come from constraints that we cannot discern because we do not know the details of other jobs within the company. Our main role is to help, not to evaluate the work of each individual.

Firstly, communication is paramount. It's necessary to approach others, share information in a clear and accessible manner. Curiosity is also an important quality. Instead of immediately pointing out a discrepancy, it's crucial to reflect, investigate the cause, and explore solutions to optimize the situation. A management controller must also demonstrate resourcefulness and a tinkering mindset because problem-solving is an integral part of daily life.

As often is the case, common sense is crucial. A good management controller should be able to simplify the most complex aspects of things.

Finally, keeping one's composure is an indispensable quality. It's crucial not to raise alarms prematurely until the exercise is complete. Patience and calm management of situations contribute to maintaining a clear and constructive perspective, even in challenging periods.

The role of a management controller comes with its share of challenges and pressures. Reactivity is imperative; deadlines must be met without compromise. The 80-20 rule becomes an essential guideline for efficiency. It is crucial to understand that perfection is not always achievable, and it is better to have accurate figures at 80% on time than 100% late.

In this context, the expression "perfection is the enemy of the good" makes complete sense. The workload can be considerable, and it's essential to quickly learn how to prioritize requests. Focus is directed towards references with the most impact, and actions are prioritized based on their profitability.

My current goal is to excel in my work, to meet the expectations of my supervisor. As a newcomer to the industrial world, I am aware that I still have much to learn. I am fortunate to work with such a brilliant person who always takes the time to help me develop my skills.

At the beginning of the recruitment process, when I asked where the factory was located, I was told it was in the middle of nowhere between Angers and Rennes, and it was unlikely that I knew it. When they mentioned Combrée, I found it funny because I know it well—it's only 15 minutes from my home. *laughs* What a coincidence!