An increasing number of women on the site of Cherbourg are joining the supply chain teams: 47% at management level (data from 2021 social report). Emilie has seen this change happening since she joined Naval Group, where she began her career in 2007. “This percentage does not reflect the reality in the field because there are fewer women in operational functions. This reality might be due to the fact that the profession is not well-known. But the job itself has changed a lot, which is why it is so important to promote the attractions of the profession, insisting on the variety of positions available and the new skills they require.”
Recruitment via the “Talents” program
Supply chain and the naval industry were not on Émilie’s professional wish-list. “It was more a question of taking up an opportunity that was offered to me in 2007, via the “Talents” program: a vocational work-study diploma (BTS) in logistics methods and operations. After the BTS, I studied for an extra year to obtain a degree in work organisation. I worked on a project between Cherbourg and Brest for the adaptation of SSBN missile launcher tubes between 2010 and 2014, and then up to 2019 on equipment flows. I was promoted to the position of Supervisor of the shipyard logistics platform for the Barracuda series in January 2020.” The job is fascinating in many ways, involving both office time and presence in the field.
Organisation, anticipation, planning, communication and… action!
Émilie’s core task is to ensure good management of the physical flows of equipment kits to the shipyard. She works with the 18 employees of the shipyard logistics platform, as well as the schedulers upstream, and the kit handover hub located by the ship itself. “Teamwork is essential,” she emphasises. The job also demands rigour, reactivity and analytic skills as well as a sense of anticipation to avoid negative impacts on production. If the kits are not delivered complete and on time, the production activity is penalised!
Would more visibility of this profession improve diversity?
“I have never felt that being a woman was abnormal in my job. What you do need are good interpersonal skills and the ability to listen, combined with the persuasion tactics necessary for changing certain work habits and the conditions of career development.” This is what makes her feel at home doing what she does, and in a position to promote the need for more visibility of her profession among female candidates!
What is the supply chain?
The supply chain covers the various steps related to the purchasing process: from the purchase of raw materials to the delivery of a product or service to the customer. It represents all the activities involved in guaranteeing and optimising production.