Z NAUTIC GROUP through its brands Zodiac, Bombard and Aka Marine designs, manufactures and markets inflatable and semi-rigid boats for pleasure boating. This world leader, inventor of the inflatable boat, which employs 500 people, is present in 90 countries through a network of 1,600 sales and service outlets.
What training, diplomas and skills are required to hold the position of Marketing and Communication Department of Z NAUTIC GROUP?
An important marketing background and above all, the ability to listen to professionals, understand the needs of boaters and to sail as much as possible.
In post since July 1, 2020 following the departure of her manager, Fanny went through marketing studies at the IAE of Lille, followed by an academic year of Master 2 at the University of Paris X to do a specialization in international marketing.
" I started my professional career at Suzuki France at the head office in Trappes on a sandwich course during my Master 2. Hired after my sandwich course, I will stay there for 4 years. Then I continued my career at Renault and I have now been working for Zodiac in the Bordeaux region for 3 years. I came back as a product manager, a position that corresponded exactly to my function at Renault with the advantage of having a little experience in the navy with my time at Suzuki in the spare parts and accessories department. "
In the course of 2020, following an organizational evolution, Fanny was offered the position she holds today.
" To be able to hold the position, it is necessary to have quite a background in marketing: knowing how to apprehend and study a market to determine a product offer that is profitable and becomes a commercial success. You must also know how to be pro-innovative and pro-active in order to penetrate the market and outdo the competition in attracting the yachtsman ", explains Fanny. " In the end, the recipe is quite simple: know how to design a product on hold with the wishes of the consumer at the right price, launch it at the right time and with the right quality." And complete: "The navy is a really technical environment and requires very specific knowledge, which I learned on the job. In order to create a suitable offer, it is imperative to observe and listen to the boaters and our dealers who are used to sailing. Especially since boating is a rather elitist activity. "
From the moment she arrived, it wasn't easy for Fanny to make her place, especially because of her lack of experience in the boating industry. She therefore had to learn from people who share and transmit their knowledge and experience, in order to finally understand the problems of boating and improve the finished product.
" Learning and understanding what a boat is and mastering certain important technical skills, particularly ergonomic ones, is essential ", Fanny insists. Even the choice of a simple handle can turn into a puzzle.
What daily life, what are the responsibilities of this profession?
Supervising and choosing the right direction
" I am fortunate enough to manage a team of 6 people: a designer, a product manager, a communication manager, a digital marketing manager, an assistant product manager and a digital marketing assistant. Our job is to build the best offer and to put all the tools at the disposal of the sales department so that the boats can be sold as well as possible. It is therefore above all management: supervising and moving the company in the right direction to develop growth and brand image. "
The real challenge for Fanny: to build a product offer adapted to the different markets, while respecting the development schedule to avoid launching boats too late in the season.
What are the possible evolutions of this profession?
Growing with the company
Fanny considers herself lucky, having returned as a product manager, she had to prove herself and worked hard for 2 years to be offered her current position, she is now a member of the management committee.
" I'm really very happy to be in this position. For the moment, I don't want to change, what interests me is to see the company evolve and develop. "
