Annie is sharing her daily life at éolane as a RFQ Project Manager.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Annie, and I have been working at éolane for over 9 years. Initially, I held a position as a Business Developer at the Angers site, and later, I seized an internal opportunity to become an International Project Manager.
Project management interested me greatly, and in order to maintain the international aspect, I moved closer to the RFQ department.As RFQ Manager, I interact with various people from different nationalities and cultures, and I explore different sectors of activity. It is truly a very enriching experience.
What was your first impression of éolane?
I have always been fond of technology, and in this regard, éolane was a perfect fit for what I was looking for. I am a computer and electronics engineer by training, and one of my previous companies specialized in computer assembly. Thanks to the PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) knowledge I gained at éolane, I now have an overall view of the products, which is very interesting.
Since taking up the position of RFQ Project Manager, have you had to work with more departments?
Yes, being an RFQ Project Manager means working as a team. The team is formed during Bid/No Bid committees and usually consists of a member from the Purchasing Projects department, a Labor Cost Estimation Manager, an R&D Manager (in the case of specific development), a member from the Quality department (depending on market constraints), and a Sales Representative. As part of the group, I mainly work with Business Developers.
Can you describe your main tasks?
My role is to coordinate internally the response to the call for tender from both financial and technical perspectives, with the objective of providing the most comprehensive offer within the requested deadlines, in order to meet the client's expectations. Based on the client's specifications, we determine the project scope to understand the nature of the estimation to be performed. If critical information (quality requirements, technical files, expected schedule, etc.) is missing, we directly communicate with the client to obtain it.
During the estimation process, we try, as much as possible, to identify potential risks and any blocking points, and provide initial solutions for them. The estimation of an offer doesn't stop at the first version. Often, we need to revise our estimation several times during the negotiation phase with the client. Typically, we handle 4 to 5 responses to call for tenders simultaneously, which may also include updates to existing offers.
What is your work environment like?
The RFQ team is composed of 5 people. Each person possesses their own skills related to their professional experiences and career within the company. This is a major asset, as we share and exchange a lot among ourselves. The working atmosphere is very positive. The entire team is gathered in an open space, and we are used to working together, even when telecommuting, we call each other.
In RFQ department, there is a significant amount of analytical work, and sometimes we need a quiet environment, which makes telecommuting meaningful in this regard. Additionally, the majority of our contacts are scattered all over the world, so a considerable portion of the work is done through video conferences.
In your opinion, what qualities are required to excel in this profession?
It is necessary to have a certain technical background. When I joined éolane, I was not familiar with the various PCB manufacturing processes. I quickly realized that it was essential to grasp the different technologies in order to better understand the clients' needs and know what questions to ask.
Maintaining good relationships and being an effective communicator are crucial. Paying attention to the people around us allows us to adapt to different personalities and working styles and get the best out of each individual. Keeping a connection with both clients and colleagues is important. Understanding the resources and internal stakes helps us provide viable solutions to our clients' challenges.
Lastly, I would say that being rigorous is essential. In project management, it is inevitable to effectively manage the substantial amount of data at our disposal and identify points of concern.
And conversely, what constraints should be taken into account?
We face new topics, new issues, and new contacts every day. Continuously adapting and being responsive can be very challenging for some individuals, so it is something to take into consideration.