After 43 years of loyal service, on July 14, Metal Constructions Pouilliers bid farewell to one of the company's stalwarts who can now enjoy his retirement. As workshop manager, he passed the torch to Olivier Doomst. We asked him how he will handle things in his new position.
Olivier Doomst can already look back on a fine 28-year career at Metal Constructions Pouilliers. He knows the internal ins and outs like no other and will work with the new management team to keep the workshop running smoothly. He talks about his role within the company.
"As a loyal employee, I feel it is important to contribute to the look and uniqueness that this warm family business carries. I value professionalism and correct service to our customers and that will also become the main aspiration of my role."
Olivier makes the transition from colleague to manager. "The moment I was asked if I wanted to take on this role, I was especially honored by the recognition I received from the management team. Although I didn't have to think about it for long, it is mostly also a leap of faith and unknown for me. Meanwhile, I have received only positive reactions from both colleagues and customers. That has certainly pleasantly surprised me."
The new position also brings challenges. Olivier: "Managing a team will never be easy. From now on I will not only be responsible for the quality and delivery of my own pieces, but I will also have to supervise the quality delivered by others. Setting the bar high for myself, I have little problem with that. But from now on I will also have to supervise others in dealing with any errors and/or defects. That is still new territory. My commitment will not lack, but of course I do not know at this time how the colleagues will react to this."
For Olivier, the quality and workmanship of the material supplied are always at the forefront. "In case of any anomalies, solutions will be sought constructively together with the customer. In addition, I would like to tackle things a little more systematically from an organizational point of view. The communication towards customers is running smoothly at the moment, but here too I want to dot the i's and cross the t's."
Olivier will focus his attention on several things in the coming period. "Taking on a management position also means that it involves more responsibility. That's why I think it's important to also keep developing myself - with training courses, among other things. Self-reflection and self-development are very important in order to grow. I also want to place responsibility deeper in the team by stimulating growth and independence. In this regard, an eye for quality and finish and order and cleanliness are important values."
Every manager has a different approach. "I expect to be strict but fair. I also want to give employees room to develop themselves further so that they can get the most out of themselves and take on more responsibility within their area of work. Those who want to grow must be given the opportunity to grow," he concludes.