Industrial transition: 5 missions for the interim manager

Industry 4.0, sustainable development issues, technological and regulatory advances… The industrial landscape is currently marked by multiple and rapid changes. To ensure their competitiveness and sustainability, companies in the sector must very often initiate an industrial transition that can take many forms. To support this transformation, the interim manager, or interim manager, is a strategic ally.

Here are 5 examples of missions to entrust to an interim manager during an industrial transition.

 

Industrial transition: definition

Industrial transition refers to change management operated by an industrial company, to achieve strategic objectives. This transformation can have different purposes: to adapt to consumer needs and market developments, to strengthen competitive advantage, to improve operational performance, to maximize profitability, etc. It can take the form of a digital transformation, a CSR transition, an organizational change…

 

What is an interim manager?

The interim manager is the Anglo-Saxon equivalent of the interim manager. These arean external speaker which is intended to intervene for a limited period within a company, in order to help it Going through a delicate period strategic issues (Mergers and acquisitions, Crisis management, Replacement of an officer, Digital Transformation, Organizational Change…).

The interim manager is a seasoned professional, With a long career as a leader in strategic positions (HR Director, DSI, Sales Director, Executive Director…) and with sector expertise (industry, Agri-food, e-commerce, luxury…). It also has many managerial qualities (leadership, audacity, stress management, relational intelligence, listening, empathy, charisma, etc.) that allow him to meet all types of human and organizational challenges.

 

5 industrial transition missions for the interim manager

Here are 5 examples of missions that an interim manager can carry out as part of an industrial transition:

1. Driving a digital transformation

In the light of Industry 4.0, the digitalization of processes has become an essential step to preserve competitiveness and maximize performance as an industry player. However, this digital transformation is accompanied by multiple technical, human and organizational challenges that very often hinder the smooth running of the project.

To ensure the success of the digital transformation, the company can then choose to seek the expertise of an interim manager. Thanks to his sector know-how, his interpersonal skills and his long experience in the field, he will be able to activate the necessary levers to ensure the success of the digital transformation, whatever it may be:

• implementation of production management software (ERP, WMS, etc.);

• process automation;
• integration of new technologies to accelerate processes and maximize operational performance (automation, artificial intelligence, augmented reality or virtual reality tools, Internet of Things – IoT, etc.).

Equipped with operational excellence, in-depth knowledge of the digital and industrial landscape, and the challenges and issues inherent in this type of transition, the interim manager will be a valuable ally in steering this transformation project and ensuring the buy-in of all employees at each stage.

2. Integrate CSR into the supply chain

Faced with the climate emergency, industrial companies must integrate CSR at the heart of their commitments. This approach requires large-scale change management and the questioning of many operating methods, particularly in the Supply chain management. With its recoil and external posture, theinterim manager will be able to quickly identify areas for improvement and corrective actions to be taken to implement or strengthen CSR policy at each stage of the supply chain: choice of responsible suppliers, eco-design, optimisation of stock management, choice of less polluting means of transport, product traceability, control of occupational safety and health risks, etc. The interim manager (or interim manager) will not only be able to support the industrial company in the implementation of these actions, but he will also be responsible for ensuring the continuity of the CSR transition in the long term by supporting the development of the teams’ skills.

3. Managing a logistics crisis

Technical breakdowns, security incidents, strikes or social disputes, cyberattacks, shortage of raw materials… Many crises of all kinds can occur within an industrial company. However, if they are not brought under control quickly, These disruptions can have a strong impact on the proper functioning of the supply chain and, by extension, on the performance and profitability of the company.

In such a transition context, call on an interim manager will be a particularly favourable decision. Indeed, the latter is an expert in crisis management and will know, thanks to his experience, his excellent stress management, his neutral posture and his outside view, to make the necessary decisions to minimize the impact of the crisis, ensure business continuity and team engagement.

4. Driving organizational change within an industrial company

Managing organizational change can be particularly complex and raise many challenges. To secure this transition, the industrial company will be able to call on a interim manager. The latter will be able to quickly grasp the issues, the challenges and identify the actions to be deployed to ensure the success of this profound transformation, whatever it may be (change of operational processes, optimization of workflows, new business model, change of governance, etc.). corporate restructuring, etc.).

5. Supporting internal and external industrial growth

Internationalization projects, mergers and acquisitions, opening of industrial sites, sudden peaks in activity… During such decisive transition periods, the interim manager will be a valuable asset in securing these transformations and help the company to activate this strategic shift. He will be able to quickly identify the actions and adjustments to be deployed to take advantage of these growth opportunities, to be a force of proposal and to involve the teams in this transition with major challenges.