Recruitment of a General Manager
- Sector Chemical & Manufacturing Industry
- Mission type Executive Search — Direct Approach
- Mission duration : 9 months
The information presented on this page is intentionally anonymized. The confidentiality of our work is an integral part of our commitment to our clients.
The context
An industrial group at a turning point in its development
Our client is a mid-sized French industrial group specializing in the manufacture and marketing of high value-added products, distributed in France and internationally. A solid family business with strong historical roots and a clear growth ambition, it was entering a strategic phase requiring a profound evolution of its operational governance.
The Chairman and CEO wished to step back from day-to-day management to focus on the long-term vision and strategic development of the company. It therefore became essential to create a Chief Executive Officer position, capable of ensuring continued growth while preparing the groundwork for a smooth future transition.
The stakes
A mission with multiple levels of complexity
This recruitment process presented particularly demanding challenges. It wasn't simply a matter of find a competent profile — it was necessary to identify a leader capable of establishing himself in a strong corporate culture, of working in tandem with a very involved CEO, and of preparing the organization for a new stage in its history.
The ideal candidate would possess a strong background in industrial management, the ability to represent the company to a variety of stakeholders, natural leadership skills, and the straightforward approach required in a human-sized organization. An international dimension to business development was an additional selection criterion.
Our approach
A two-phase approach conducted in parallel
Given the sensitivity and complexity of this mission, OREANCE deployed a dual approach combining targeted direct approach and organizational consulting, conducted simultaneously over a period of nine months.
Initially, we conducted a thorough diagnosis of the existing organization — its strengths, its internal dynamics, its areas of fragility — in order to precisely define the profile of the future CEO and the conditions for the success of his integration.
In parallel, our team leveraged its network and databases to identify and directly approach senior candidates matching the defined profile. Each potential candidate underwent a thorough behavioral assessment before being presented to the client, accompanied by a detailed, confidential report.
We participated in the initial interviews alongside the client, monitored each stage of the negotiation, and supported the successful candidate's onboarding throughout their probationary period.
The results
A mission successfully completed
- Selected candidate profile from direct search: senior, 20 to 30 years of experience in an industrial environment
- Successful integration, monitored and validated throughout the trial period
- Additional support for the reorganization of the managerial scope
Why this project is representative of our approach
This mission perfectly illustrates what distinguishes OREANCE from a classic recruitment provider: the ability to understand a complex human and strategic context before starting the search, to advise the client on the conditions for successful recruitment, and to remain present well beyond the signing of the contract.
Recruiting a General Manager for a family business in transition is much more than finding a CV — it's finding the right person, at the right time, for the right organization.
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