Situation
Our customer is a manufacturer of electronic components in the southwest of Hungary. It is a private company that has been owned by the same family for two generations. You are a TIER2 supplier to multinational automotive companies.
The client got into difficulties because the next generation had other personal plans than to take over the company. There were two main problems: someone had to take over the production management functions from the company owner’s son, and in order to stay on track with his multinational buyers, it became essential to bring an “international mindset” to the local management team. The client expected an interim manager to fill these gaps and support the company in meeting international standards and expectations.
Action
The client contacted Interim Management Resourcing to find an interim manager with a multinational background who could fill the gap in the Operations/Production Manager position and implement the changes required for further growth and development with a strong international touch and create an established situation for the appointment of a permanent Production Manager.
The challenge was to find an interim manager with experience in an international/multinational company who was ready and willing to join a “different” local business environment. Interim Management Resourcing presented qualified candidates, both experienced and slightly overqualified for the position, within five days. The company chose one of the two candidates and selected the one with a more “coaching/mentoring” mindset to easily overcome the challenges mentioned above.
The most important challenges were:
- Transition from small-scale family control to a management culture at international level
- Introduction of new management techniques
- How to update the operations management team with best practices for manufacturing
- Motivation of middle management through empowerment
- Introduction of management development programs
- to formalize the business processes
- Implementation of technical changes and standardization of production methods
- Focus on improving material control
- to improve the factory layout
- Definition of the roles and responsibilities of employees
Result
In seven months, the interim manager succeeded in bringing the corporate culture to a professional level, introducing a new way of thinking and improving processes. The customer was able to maintain its sales level even under difficult circumstances. In his last month, the interim manager concentrated on onboarding his permanent successor.
