When you joined the Group, was there anything that you found surprising ?
I joined the Président division of the Lactalis Group on an on-the-job training contract four years ago. I gained my qualification while working as Head of the Bridel Sector and then, having expressed an interest in merchandising and gone through the internal recruitment process, I was promoted to Regional Merchandising Coordinator a year ago. What struck me when I first joined the Group was how approachable people were and the consideration for individuals as people. Training is ubiquitous when you first become part of the Group (products, markets, sales techniques, procedures, jobs etc.), and it is important to be fully immersed.
What does an AMR do every day ?
- Supporting Regional Management in optimising the various regional departments (different strategies for different groups of products).
- Training Regional Sales Managers and Heads of Sector in marketing approaches and tools.
- Drawing up merchandising plans for individual stores, as required by Sector Heads.
- Analysing results before and after relocations.
One of the particular features of the job is its positioning somewhere between the Marketing and Sales departments. We are at the interface of the two without having a hierarchical link with the Heads of Sector. It is across-the-board management, which is in effect more like consultancy and training !
Which skills have you developed since you have held the post ?
To be an AMR you need to be extremely diplomatic and very flexible. Our daily work depends on everyone else's needs (Heads of Sector, Sales Managers, Regional Director, National Director), and when their priorities differ, we need to adjust accordingly. An analytical mindset is also important, in order to interpret results dispassionately. I have become much more organised while in this job. And also, the workload can vary from day to day, so it is important to be structured and organised and to priorities effectively.
What is your career path ?
I have a D.U.T. (higher diploma) in Sales Techniques and also trained in agro-food sector sales. As regards the future, I am interested in the position of Regional Client Manager, where relationships with retailers' purchasers are important.
