‘BE BOLD, BE PATIENT, BE AMBITIOUS’
"Hello, my name is Christophe Geffriaud. I am 55 years’ old, and I work as a production specialist at the Angoulême plant. I started working at Rousselot when I was 18 and have worked at the company for 37 years – in almost all areas of the plant, from operator in the blending area to shipping, to gelatine production, raw materials reception and process improvement. One thing that has marked my career: looking for new challenges and discovering what I love to do. I often get asked what advice I would give young people who join the company. I would say: be bold, be patient, be ambitious.”
A day in the life of a production process expert
“As a production process expert, I begin my day by checking in with supervisors and operators to discuss what problems they are running into. That defines the focus of my day. Then, I start collecting results from the production team and from the lab, and compare those to find out whether there are malfunctions, or, for example, whether we need to modify recipe parameters. I follow up on rejections from each production post to determine whether we need to further investigate the results or not. That is just on a quiet day. There are also always development projects taking place and – and there is always the possibility that something comes up that needs to be handled immediately.”
Be bold and find your place
“My daily routine at Rousselot has certainly changed over the past 37 years. I was 18 when I started in the gelatine production division. I met some great people and my interest in the world of gelatine grew, but I soon realised that it was not the place for me. Admitting I didn’t love my job was hard, but I finally decided to talk to the production manager. He was incredibly supportive, and he helped me move to a different department, to a position where I had to be more independent and resourceful.
I grew and thrived in that job, and it is why I encourage young people to be bold and to speak up if something about your job doesn’t feel right. After moving departments, I went on to hold various other positions at Rousselot, always making sure that each new step offered a chance to evolve and learn.”
Patience and perfection go hand in hand
“At Rousselot, we are always striving to reach the best possible results. That is what makes production challenging and what keeps it interesting. It used to haunt my dreams because as I took on more responsibilities, I became increasingly aware of the high-quality standards that are demanded of our product. Tiny details make the difference, and even if our results are good, the next challenge is to maintain it. That’s why I say to those joining us: ‘Be patient’. There is a lot to learn, and it can take a long time to feel like you are good at something, or to find what you love. But if you invest in this process, then the possibilities are endless.”
“At the same time, it is never just about the numbers. What makes Rousselot such an amazing company to work at is the focus on the human factor. I have never heard of anyone not receiving help when they asked for it and I know for a fact that our working conditions and benefits are better than at many other companies!”
Be ambitious, and who knows where in the world you might end up
“When I started working here, I was uncertain about what I wanted my career to look like. Throughout my journey at Rousselot, I have always had the space and opportunity to question myself and to discover what it is I really love doing. So, my third piece of advice is, ‘Be ambitious’. Aim as high as you can and make the most of every training that comes your way, so that when you are faced with a door, and you want to go through it to explore what’s on the other side, you will be able to open it.
During my 37 years at Rousselot, I am not the only one who has grown. The company has also evolved and expanded into a brand with locations and clients all over the world. For myself, that has led to enriching experiences, and a lot of sharing with my counterparts at the plants in Ghent and Girona. For the people joining us now, it means the sky is the limit. Be ambitious, and who knows where in the world you might end up.”