As we embark on a series of blogs this March, we take a moment to reflect on the journeys of women at Schneider Electric and how these stories align with our commitment to Inclusion and Care. Our ambition to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world is rooted in our belief that diverse perspectives enrich our workplace and drive our company success.
We are dedicated to achieving gender balance, recognizing that increasing the representation of women in our workforce is essential. In this spirit, we are excited to share the inspiring career journey of Sylvie Bricage, a manufacturing team manager who has spent 37 remarkable years in Supply Chain.
My name is Sylvie Bricage. I’m 54 years old. I’m a manufacturing team manager for Schneider Electric, and I’ve been working for the same business unit for 37 years: the Supply Chain!
It all started with a summer job
In 1988, just after I got my high school diploma, I decided to look for a summer job. I found one quickly, with Gardy, a company that was part of Schneider Electric’s acquisitions. That marked the beginning of a career in an industrial sector about which I knew nothing, and I started out with the company as an operator.
The job wasn’t exactly challenging, but the excellent work atmosphere made up for it tenfold. We were all on a first-name basis and addressed each other using the informal French pronoun “tu”, including with management. I was amazed by that, because I was educated with the idea that you don’t call managers “tu” when addressing them. This closeness with everyone says a lot about the workplace culture at Schneider Electric.
I found it easy to fit in the company. There were a “bunch of us youngsters” who met after work either to have a beer or to do sports together regularly. Indeed, we participated in various competitions between different companies. Some of our colleagues and counterparts became true friends over time. The years have gone by, and we still see a lot of each other, but now we tend to meet over a good meal rather than at sports events!
Schneider Electric supported me in my professional evolution and training programs
Over the years, the production lines became automated and new jobs were created. To follow the industrial evolution, Schneider Electric gave me the opportunity to do a first training course on product line management, and then I got a vocational high school diploma in maintenance services. I thought that maintenance could be a starting point in my evolution.
Being a student again helped me become more aware of the fact that I had to do “something else”, and that I needed to find out and learn “more”. However, I wasn’t meant to work for a Supply Chain, as my initial training as a medical secretary couldn’t have been further from the industry sector.
Yet, my curiosity and my eagerness to learn helped me discover new jobs
Little by little, I became more interested in supply chain careers. As time went by, I felt the need to launch into new projects. Indeed, I volunteered during the launch programs of various new products, and I joined several work groups. I also did some specific missions in support services. Overall, I had multiple professional experiences while expanding my knowledge. In a nutshell, I showed my willpower and my desire to change jobs and keep going further along my path.
Beyond the technical and professional enhancement, as well as the opportunities that further studies gave me, I met people from different walks of life, and with ambitions either like or very different from my own. That too is part of the greatness of a company like Schneider Electric: to be surrounded by unique and inspiring people.
My curiosity has been a strength throughout my career
My determination and my urge to support industrial transformations paid off, because Schneider Electric offered me a Team Leader position, and more. This new job came with additional training. Indeed, it was a professional training contract in “management and organization of industrial performances”. Consequently, I joined a School at 600 kilometers from home for this new adventure!
I think that that was the first time I felt I was getting out of my comfort zone. I was afraid, because I was moving on to a completely different work environment, and I knew that I was going to be on my own during that training period. Nowadays, I smile whenever I look back on that part of my life and I tell myself that it wasn’t that bad, and that the worst part of it was just to dare and go for it.
That experience goes to show that change management, that I do daily among my teams, works everywhere and for everyone, starting with oneself.
After that professional training contract, I wanted to keep going, because I was eager to learn and to challenge myself. I’d also found a training path that really suited me, and I’d met wonderful people who made me want to outdo myself and keep growing professionally. Consequently, I continued my training path, and did two professional certifications, one of which was as an “industrial and innovative performance manager”. The other one was entitled “project unit manager”. Those two certifications enabled me to apply for a manufacturing team manager position.
All those successive training programs and professional experiences have led me to my current job as manufacturing team manager.
Looking back, I can say I prevailed in several challenging situations. Here are a few:
Success in my various job transitions:
Indeed, there’s quite a big gap between an operator job and a management position, but with perseverance, motivation, and willpower, you can get there! The sky is the limit. Today, I manage about 50 people including operators, machine operator supervisors, maintenance technicians, team leaders who work as part of two different teams. Sometimes, I even must supervise the shift teams that work nights and weekends.
Success as a woman in the Supply Chain business:
However, the industry is gradually becoming more diverse, and I’m proud to be one of the pioneers in this shift. I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve never hesitated to seize new opportunities, even when I was one of the first individuals in this role.
People of all genders are making strides in technical jobs like mine, and I must say that training programs play a crucial role in establishing legitimacy. For me, the first training I undertook with Schneider Electric – the vocational high school diploma (Bac Pro Maintenance) – which I initially didn’t find challenging enough, really helped me grasp the key technical concepts necessary for my current job.
Success in managing employees:
It’s a real challenge when you start managing people for the first time. You have a hard time adopting the right posture. Especially in my case, because some of my new employees were former colleagues. Still, I turned this experience in the field into a strength. I knew my former colleagues’ jobs, and I’d already experienced first-hand. As one of them, all the advantages and hurdles that they faced. I also knew how they worked, and that helped me as a manager. I knew what I was talking about, and I understood the teams because I’d been in their shoes at some point in my own career.
And I did all that with pleasure, motivation, and passion.
Today, I’m proud of my evolution, and I’m proud of working for Schneider Electric
I’m glad I can share my experience with other people. First and foremost, I want to thank my managers. They believed in me, trusted me, and supported me in the various contexts in which I found myself throughout my career. I’m also grateful that I’ve been able to train continuously along each step of the way.
My journey has been a wonderful experience, and I wish that other women will be able to follow the same path. I can only urge them to choose the supply chain. If I can give them just one piece of advice, it is to try and take chances, and not limit oneself to certain jobs or areas.
I’m now looking for new challenges within Schneider Electric, and I can’t wait to go on new adventures. Because, even after 37 years with the company, I still have a lot to learn and discover.
Sylvie journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of curiosity, determination, and continuous learning within Schneider Electric. By fostering a workplace that encourages everyone to pursue their ambitions, we continue building a people-centered organization.
As we continue to share successful career stories throughout March, we celebrate not only the achievements of our colleagues but also the collective commitment of all Schneider Electric employees to embrace diverse perspectives driving innovation, performance and engagement to new heights.
Feeling inspired?
Take the next step in your career journey with us at Schneider Electric. Explore our careers page for exciting opportunities that align with your skills and passions. Or sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on new openings and insights.
Add a comment