(*) As a confidentiality measure, the identity of the Interim DG and the client are changed
1. BACKGROUND
We are in 2015 in a town in the north of the Oise near Compiègne.
Specializing in the manufacture and sale of antioxidant chemicals, this American group offers a wide range of antioxidants, intermediates and inhibitors. With a turnover of $500 million, it employs more than 1500 people across its 11 industrial sites on five continents. The French subsidiary located in the Oise region is experiencing significant managerial difficulties; Its recently appointed young site manager has not been able to take the teams with a grip, and in a highly unionized context, she has retreated into a “email” management mode. A massive strike at the site has been raging for 9 days and the group has agreed to exfiltrate the site’s management to resolve the continuity of production, whose stocks only amount to 15 days.
The major point is that without any authority for a few days, this site “Seveso high threshold” – is threatened with immediate administrative closure by the prefect.
The Director of Europe is a Scotsman, he does not speak French; he decided to call on WAYDEN to urgently find him an interim manager who could take control and stabilize the situation.
2. THE DEVICE
In this context of critical managerial urgency, Benoît DURAND-TISNES, Associate Director at WAYDEN, immediately identified in WAYDEN Sélection, the Industrial Site Director renowned for his solid experience in the operation of hazardous chemical facilities (classified Seveso) and in crisis management : Emmanuel LOTTYL.
Focus on the Manager journey
Trained at the École des Mines, Emmanuel LOTTYL began his career at ERIDANIA BEGHIN SAY in the 1980s. In the space of 7 years, he became Chief Operating Engineer on a site of 380 people. Later, he became Site Director at ALPHACAN where he was responsible for finalizing the acquisition of the EIG on two sites of 120 people.
After a stint as Industrial Director at NOVOPLASTIC and at ARKEMA as Director of Operational Safety, he took the position of Managing Director of the Union of Chemical Industries in Rhône-Alpes to develop the reputation of France’s leading chemical region. He was also one of the actors of the safety authority during the AZF tragedy. Emmanuel LOTTYL is an operational executive with experience in interim management, risk management, crisis management and QHSE.
3. MISSION
Reporting to the European boss based in Basel during these six months of mission, Emmanuel LOTTYL is carrying out the following actions at the same time and with unwavering commitment:
- Re-establishment of trust on the French site of the client based in the Oise region
- Negotiation with the unions and the Works Council
- Implementation of new management tools and massive training plan
- Creation of a new management team for the site
- Participation in the recruitment of a new Site Director and transfer of power
But the real success of this mission was only possible thanks to the proximity and empathy shown by the manager to the teams, who were “dented” as he said himself.
In addition to having to organize regular reports with a client who does not speak French and is based in Switzerland, WAYDEN deploys its monitoring tools to reassure the client about the daily action of the interim manager.
4. ASSESSMENT
It was a real managerial emergency mission, dictated by administrative security. Emmanuel LOTTYL led it successfully and with composure, counting his hours to regain the confidence of the teams on site and the authorities outside. At the end of this real rescue mission, the client wanted to continue working with Emmanuel LOTTYL, who joined this group on another mission as Global Chief HSE Officer.